Sunday And Some Soul-Searching

Busy day. After breakfast and the crossword (challenging), I left for Dudley House at 10:00. It was, of course, decorated beautifully downstairs and up, as ever, but I was resolved not to look and definitely not to buy. 

It had rained earlier, but stopped by the time I bused there. My volunteer hours were 11:00 to 1:00 and I was a wrapper. That just meant removing the price tags from items, passing them to Jan to ring up, then wrapping them in tissue, if fragile, and bagging. It was fun to chat and joke with our customers and I enjoyed it. Also enjoyed viewing the beautiful Christmas items, including this handmade doll house:

It's an exquisite Victorian home, certainly four feet high and I assume some little girl will be thrilled on Christmas morning; must have cost five or more hundred.

My stint ended at 1:00 and, although it was windy and cold, I walked the  mile or so to the transit center and caught the 10 home. There, I found I found a gift bag at my door. In it were presents from Suzanne: a pretty, light-up lantern, a homemade note card, and a personal Christmas letter, with pictures. I heard her outside shortly after and asked her in. I thanked her, we chatted, and I invited her to dinner next weekend. Will ask Vickie and Jim, too.

I then set to food prep. Took me an hour, but I zested two large oranges, diced a green pepper, then six onions; julienned two other onions after, and cooked up an acorn squash. Stowed all but the last in the freezer, as I want to make turkey stir-fry soon. I'll make orange cake on Friday for my company over the weekend.

After that, it was a long-put off chore: clearing the hall closet and rearranging the contents. That took a full hour, but at least, I know where everything is now.

Called Jim to invite him to dinner with us next weekend, whether Saturday or Sunday depends on Vickie's schedule--I'll text her today. Jim also said he wants to take me out for my birthday. Fine by me, although Julie's taking me to Santa Barbara on the day of, so we'll make it after that.

Note: I have NO IDEA why I can't get the text to go to the left. Something changed up top and now I can't find the margin control. But I'm not going to get all mad about it--see the following.

Additional Note: My friend, Pat, had a problem with scheduling and wrote on her blog that she reacted with annoyance to someone. Later, she thought better of it and apologized to the other person. That resonated with me, although it didn't involve anyone else: When I found out the two-dollar extra little gift for my grandson would cost $17.90 in postage to Japan, I didn't chastise the postal worker, but went into my usual fury mode internally: "Damn, I went to some trouble wrapping the thing, walked three blocks to the post office, stood in line for twenty minutes, and all for nothing!"  When I started walking home, though,  I realized how stupid that was.  K. will never miss it, I'll write him (and Vivian and Violet) letters with pictures of their Dads as kids and they'll enjoy that. I'll ask Ellen if she wants the pen for one of her third-graders. By the time I got home, I was relieved to consciously know I shrugged it off and went on about my day. 

"It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like.." Saturday

 Yesterday, I was delighted to see this message from older son in Tokyo, to my other children and me:

--Good afternoon, all:   (K.) is anxious to have another Christmas-time Zoom call, if others are amenable. However, the time it is Christmas for people in the US is the twenty-sixth for us, and I'll be working all day, so the time around (for the west coast of North America) the late afternoon of 26 December would be most convenient for us. This would be earlier for people on the east coast and morning on 27 December, of course, for Singapore. Please let us know if you all could be available.--

All wrote back of their time-zone availability and we'll look forward to being at least electronically together once again. 

Instead of individual presents this year, I'm sending one that families can share (which shall remain a secret until after-you-know-when). However, I want to send small individual ones to the children. I had bought a small one for Mr. K. and walked to the P.O. to mail it. I was stunned--although I should have known--that this very small, light object would cost--literally--ten times more to send. I knew his Dad would be angry if I spent that much, so I took it home. Will think of something else for him, V. and V., and the great-grands.

Spent most of the afternoon on household chores, recording appointments, zesting and juicing oranges, and so on. Went to Von's for a few minor items. I've decided to make an orange cake, using the oranges Margaret gave me, and found a yummy recipe for it. However, I don't want to make it until next Saturday, so will freeze the zest and juice until then. Since Ellen and Greg aren't available then, I'll just invite Suzanne, Vickie, and Jim. I'll stay with E. and G. over Christmas.

Suzanne and I went to The Townehouse Christmas celebration at 5:30 and it was so well done-- beautifully decorated and with a full bar. I had champagne, then a good white, plus wonderful pastries. I spoke to Anne (?), the activities director, whom I've know for a while, and she said they have an on-site pastry chef; I can attest that his or her the scones to die for. 

It was nicely decorated, of course, and there were carolers in costume:

There was also a boutique and I bought some small Christmas gifts. Home by 8:00. Today, I'll be wrapping presents at Dudley House 

Friday Thai-day

Weighed in at home at 127.2, for a miniscule gain of .04. Lora, back from celebrating her anniversary in Vegas, picked me up for T.O.P.S., where I weighed 128.3, up .04. Julie suggested that Lora join us for my birthday outing, and I was pleased when she accepted. The meeting meandered, as usual--there were five of us there--but I was home by 10:00.

I'm having a Christmas present sent to Mike and his family and have decided the girls, now that they're 18 and 14, can do without another little bauble from me. Instead, I'm making up a humorous Christmas letter specifically for them; it will include a lot of pictures of Daddy Mike, from birth to the made-in-heaven match with Mommy. I'm sending the same present to the Tokyo Trio, with a little extra one for Mr. K. 

Packed my lunch and went to town, eating at my usual place near the mission. I browsed in shops here and there, but didn't buy anything. Bused home, got in at 4:00, and was about to prepare dinner when Ellen called. I was delighted to be asked if I wanted to go to Jasmine Thai for dinner--yes, indeed!--and she came directly from school.  I was not only delighted, but thrilled when she took some of the Christmas stuff I was discarding. I'll donate the rest to Goodwill.

It had been months since I'd been at Jasmine Thai and I had the pad Thai, my favorite, plus a large Sapporo, the Japanese beer I like. Even better was the conversation; we stayed long and ranged over a variety of topics, all of great interest to me since they involved my daughter and her doings. One of the things we discussed was my upcoming birthday; she's fine with my going to Santa Barbara with Julie and Lora on the actual day and we'll probably do something the following weekend. 

Home at 8:30, late for me, and I was in bed by 9:15. Tonight, Suzanne and I will go to the "Holiday Celebration" at The Townehouse and tomorrow, I'll be a gift wrapper at Dudley House.  I'm thinking about going to see my dear lost twin on Monday. 

Throwback Thursday

Left my place at 10:00 and walked to Telephone Road, then hopped a bus to Office Max. There I bought one of their annoyingly overpriced desk calendars, then walked to the Urbane Café and lunch with Diane at noon. We sometimes buy their yummy "bowls" there, but yesterday, we both brought our own lunches; the tables outside are for anyone. 

As ever, we enjoyed a plethora of good and often intense, talk--much of it centered on our childhoods. They're similar: lots of children (too many, too soon), parochial school, old-time religion, sibling rivalry, and all the complicated results that made us what we are. We hashed it over--talking to each other, but also to  ourselves--and were there for almost three hours before we said goodbye. I bused to the transit center and from there took the 6 home.

I got this invitation from The Townehouse (independent living) for tomorrow.  Emailed Jim to see if he wanted to go, but--surprisingly--he declined.

                                         

As I was getting my mail, I ran into Vickie and invited her. She said she would have loved to, but has an evening commitment in Moorpark. She stopped in and I caught up with news about Mary (it's never good). Stopped in at Suzanne's and yes, she'll go with me--good. I think she'll enjoy it and I know I will. 

Wednesday And Ladies Who Lunch

Julie picked me up at 10:30 for the BCNN Christmas luncheon. It was at the Ventura Yacht Club and a good time was had by many. I was glad to chat with Terri M., who had been in my Acting for Amateurs group and later, with Erica Whosis. Here are some pics:

I have to say I looked pretty damn good for an old crock of almost 86. The top is a nice purple/black swirl in the longer length most becoming to me (or anybody with a lumpy middle).  

That's Julie (dark hair) and Regina (blonde) at the table. Band was good.

Big crowd--I think about a hundred women.

A lot got up and danced--that gal in the middle was wild. Don't know why I didn't--guess I'm a little self-conscious. Note the silly snowman centerpiece; I won it and it's now at my door. I exchanged the  chinzy "scarf" for a gold ribbon.)

The luncheon started at 11:00 with happy hour and I was home by 2:00. Told Julie I'd go to the "Ladies Dining Out" dinner on the fifteenth and also, to Santa Barbara for lunch on my birthday, the twenty-first. I'm sure I'll be with Ellen around then, but not on a weekday, I think. 

 Got an invitation from The Townehouse to a "holiday celebration" on Saturday evening, which includes strolling Dickens carolers, holiday boutique shopping, and desserts, wine, and coffee. Sounds good and I forwarded the invitation to Jim and asked if he wants to go. 

Today, lunch with Diane at the Urbane Café. 

Transit Center Tuesday

Slept well and got a lot  done. I put Lensa on my phone--it's all the rage--but unfortunately, I don't know how to operate it. I really prefer using the laptop for most things; maybe I can transfer it. 

Ran into Suzanne at the mailboxes and we chatted a bit, but both had plans. She had her book club and I was anxious to scout out the rental on Lang Street Jim had told me about. I packed a lunch, got my trusty cart, and set off for the bus. 

It had been weeks since I traveled that way and did it feel good. It was a fairly cool (for southern California) day, but bright and sunny, the way I like it. Got off at the transit center and walked the way Jim had directed. It looked like a nice neighborhood and I found the house without too much trouble. 

I looked in the windows; living room is small, kitchen rather nice. I couldn't see in any of the other rooms, as there's a stockade-type wall (see right of pic), which isn't a bad idea. This place is, of course, very much a long shot. For one thing, it's as far from the transit center as the bus stop is for me here. For another, it may be out of my price range; for a third, it's Jim's place I really want. That would be ideal for me, having another room and being only a short walk to the transit center and mall. In fact, I walked over to his place after. Didn't ring his bell, I just wanted to see it in daylight. Damn, I'd give anything to have one like his. 

Back to the transit center and happy to bus to town. It wasn't at all crowded--nice for a change, although I like the hustle and bustle--and I browsed in the shops. Bought a light flowered top which I may or may not wear to the BCNN Christmas lunch today. I also bought--I should be ashamed to admit it!--a small ceramic Christmas tree with a pot attached.  (I can't seem to help myself!)  

Ate my lunch, as I like to do, across from the mission and it felt so good to be there again. Home about 3:30 and I continued the Christmas decorations. Suzanne and I both did our doors and this year, it's an angel theme:

Mine is the tapestry, hers the wreath and she added the angels and pine in between. 

Soaring Spirits Monday

 Back in the saddle again...

Rather, back on the sidewalk again: I got in a good walk to The Market, then, eschewing the bus, walked home, too, for three miles. It felt good and, happy day, after early cloudiness, it turned out sunny and even warm. I happened to meet Diane going in the opposite direction and we confirmed our lunch date on Thursday. 

Got batteries for my window "candles" and put them in. Also got actual candles for my three little "Joy" angels, but need either a lighter or utility matches. 

Showered, washed my hair, then just hung out until Julie picked me up at 5:45 for the Soaring Spirits dinner. We had a good time, although I was the ONLY ONE who didn't bring an ornament for the exchange. However, Susan had brought extras and I got one apropos for this pacifist, all agreed: 

I enjoyed meeting the two newcomers, Julie, whose husband had been a dentist in Camarillo (sudden, from an undetected brain aneurism) and Kim, probably only in her thirties (suicide).  Vera took me home; got in at 8:00.

Earlier, and annoyingly, I got a letter from Blue of California that my doctor is leaving Primary Medical and that I was assigned to a new one--in Oxnard. No, thank you, I'm not going to Oxnard, so I called and after a lot of talk, chose another. However, when I looked things  up, I saw that Dr. Ficks., who is an endocrinologist, is also accepting new patients, and she's one I want, as I've already had dealings with her. Here's my entry from almost exactly a year ago (12/8/21):

Dr. Ficks marveled at my well-being. She said she had gone over all my tests and so on and I'm "remarkably healthy." She expressed amazement at my well-being, considering my age and my forty-one year history of two packs a day. However, there is evidence of osteoporosis, of which I was already aware. 

Here's Tristan, that sweet kid, fifteen and growing tall (for our family, that is), in his school picture.