Sunday

Oops! Almost invariably, I write most of this blog the evening before I publish, but yesterday, uh-uh. We were out most of the day and later, I just had to defer. Okay, here's a quick synopsis:

Early on, we rearranged some of the setup in the living room and tidied up otherwise. Lunch, then it was off to town to first, browse the shops and stroll Main Street, then walk The Promenade. The ozone layer prominent, it was overcast there next to the ocean, but nicely in the low seventies and with a light breeze. We saw this little guy there:

Stopped at Von's on the way home, where they finally had the Squirt grapefruit soda I like. We then sat on the patio with glasses of white and chatted. I made a stir-fry for dinner, then it was off to the hot tub, which felt great.

Home, an episode of Suits and bed. I've been sleeping soundly over the last several days, which is so good.

I just stripped the bed in preparation for sheet-washing and today, company comes in, then it's off to Ellen's.

Saturday

Another busy, much fun day, which I'm going to simply outline, rather than closely chronicle--it's just  too long and involved. Ken picked me up at 11:30 and off we went for head shots. I wore the following outfit, which I just casually put together, but now I like it and will add to those I'll show Karyn:

                                    

We didn't have to stay too long, no more than an hour, but I just don't know how good my shots are. I told the photographer and his assistant (Meredith, artistic director for Fractured Actors) to simply pick which they thought best of the ten or twelve they took. I wanted to get out of there, as I was anxious to see Mike and Violet on their last full day here. 

We drove over to Ellen's and, as Mike and Violet were out shopping, we walked down to an open hours near by. Nice house, and very expertly staged, but we agree Ellen's is better. Back to El's, Mike and Violet came in and we listened to Violet regale us with tales of her month-long camp experience. Here she and I are on the couch at Ellen's:

After several hours of good talk, we went to Juma, a Japanese restaurant in Ojai. I had a yummy salmon bowl and a Japanese beer. Very pricey, but excellent. After, we went back to El's and talked for a bit about a subject many would think delicate: my wishes if I should become incapacitated. This wasn't a gloomy, tearful session, but just straightforward. I may or not elaborate on that in another post. We took pictures out back and here's one:

Said goodbye to my dear youngest and  his dear youngest; they're off to LAX, then Singapore this morning. Didn't get home until almost 9:00, watched some of Suits, then fell into bed.  Today, we plan to clean and otherwise prepare for the next group of company, the three guys coming in tomorrow--WOWEE!

Friday

Cheryl picked me up for T.O.P.S. and I actually won the "biggest loser" four bucks with 126.7 for a loss at 1.1. At home, my cockamamie scale being what it is, I came in at 125.6, a mighty three pounds less than last week. 

Home, we started on our busy and fun day. We had a bite at Ellen's, then decided to walk the shelf road. It was very hot and the trail, after rains a year or so ago, is rocky. El and I turned back to find a less  challenging route, while the other two went on. El and I walked a hilly neighborhood, marveling at the views, not to mention the big, multi-bucks houses here and there. El took pics, but hasn't sent them to me yet.

After, we stopped at the Ojai Von's for various supplies. Back at El's, we played several games of Blockus (or whatever it's called) then a hand of gin rummy. After that, I left to do some things at home. Emailed Karyn that I wanted to skip rehearsal tonight because that's Mike's and Violet's last full day here. K. responded and assured me there was no problem. I will be there for head shots today--Ken will pick me up at 11:30 and I hope we get out of there early. After that, we'll zip over to Ellen's. 

Yesterday was such an enjoyable day to be with my kiddies, but I'm not going to put in more detail--too much to record! 

P.S. Aced both yesterday:  

Wordle 776 2/6 

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Connections 

Puzzle #54

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Thursday

After breakfast, we did a fashion shoot. I'll show these to Karyn and see if she has a preference. I have to keep in mind that I play a young woman grown old, present day. Would I be a fashionable type or a little dowdy, or what? I kind of favor the red dress--which needs to be hemmed, though--but maybe the one with the black, white, and red top? It's not evident, but that's a skirt (black, with buttons down the front) I'm wearing in the third pic: 

We took the footbridge and walked to the park at Kimball, then around it, and back on the path. That totaled roughly four and a half miles, a good walk. Had lunch, then zipped up to Ojai to Ellen's. After chatting a bit, we drove to the Casitas Lake area, then walked from the major area to the lake itself, maybe a mile and a half. It's beautiful there:

We walked back and agreed that when my later company comes on Monday, they'll enjoy the water thing and the river thing.

Went back to El's to find Mike there. He had been to L.A. (business), then we all, including Greg, went to the Ojai farmers market Thursday session. Got lots of goodies, including a big and beautiful ruby red grapefruit. We then went to The Hip Vegan for dinner al fresco--which was so good.  Then it was back to Ellen's, where we played several cutthroat games of Blokus--what fun!

Home, showered, poured myself a glass of cream sherry, and finally fell into bed at the ungodly hour of 11:00 PM.  

Wednesday

In preparation for my company, I got a fair amount done early on. Ran the dishwasher, did a color wash, cleaned the kitchen counters and bath area. Went through the pile of notes and written info, dealt with some and organized the others to do later. I got out not only the red dress I thought I'd wear in the play, but two other possibilities. I put them aside, will have pictures taken in them, and ask Karyn to make a choice on Saturday. 

Speaking of: We do head shots during the day then, plus we have rehearsal at night. I'm going to have to decide whether I may have to miss, considering the aforementioned company, which includes Mike. He texted yesterday afternoon he'd be back from Cupertino and at Ellen's about 7:30.

We went to Two Trees for dinner and I saw a dry cleaner next door; asked and found out they do alterations--good, I'll take my dress. there. We then did a walk of a mile or so in a nearby neighborhood. El drove us home, then left, and we luxuriated in the hot tub. More activities today, I think we'll go to Ellen's but whatever, I'm just delighted to go along. 

Tuesday

Got to Goodwill, dropped off my donations, then walked the half mile to the park across from Diane's place. We settled in at noon for our usual convivial lunch and long talk. Diane had ordered a paid for a ticket for our September 2nd show, but had accidentally got it for the evening performance, rather than the matinee. She was concerned she wouldn't be able to change it, but I said I'll get to Jeff.  We said goodby about 2:30 and I bused to the mall. 

Went to Ross and got what's now called, I guess, a "shaper." It's a kind of girdle, made of stretchy material, that's supposed to smooth out the muffin affect at the waistline. ("Muffin?" I have a whole bakery going on!) But wouldn't you know (yet another of Mom's expressions), it's too small--must go back and exchange.

Ellen called while I was in Ross; she'll come over today, and we'll have dinner, maybe at Jasmine Thai. I must find sheets, too, as Mike will be picking up Violet on Saturday. Discovered I have none aside from those on my bed; I lent them to El for Mike and Violet. She'll bring them over today.

Jeff had emailed us to get our show bios in by today for the program and since I have such a small part, I cut it down to this:

Rosemary Molloy (2023 - IGM)

Rosemary was thrilled to be welcomed into Fractured Actors when she moved to California 8 years ago and had roles in the Speakeasy Project and Area 22. In her native New Jersey, she appeared in a variety of standards, including Steel Magnolias and Our Town (who didn't?), as well as several dinner theaters. She conducts "Acting for Amateurs" classes for mature adults and her original plays have been staged in Atlantic City and Margate, N.J. She can hardly believe her good fortune in having the family she cherishes--and in being part of F.A.

Head shots on Saturday; must look for a scarf or something.

Monday

A labor-intensive day--well, not really, but I did cross off a lot on my to-do list, notably the OTC thing. I called and ordered sixty-nine dollars worth; must add thirty-one bucks by the end of September or I lose it. Incredibly, I have a hard time ordering that much. Aside from tooth care items, I just don't use a lot from the pharmacy. Already have a  large stock of pain-killers, which I almost never use, plus Band-Aids, corn removers, eye drops,and so on, I'm lucky enough to have little need for them very often. 

Walked over to CVS to pick up my medication refill; later, strolled to Von's for something or other--can't remember what. Food prep included pre-cooking the beautiful orange squash I had gotten at the farmers market; chopping peaches and adding blueberries; and washing and cutting strawberries.

I had intended to walk to The Market for a few items, but that isn't urgent, either, and I didn't. Called Diane to see if she could meet at one of our open-air spots for lunch. However, she was meeting her son and family in L.A., so we decided to do it today. I have more things to donate; I'll do that, then swing up to the park across from Diane's.

Also, I asked her for the number of the woman who had cleared her computer--Dianna Cleveland. Called her and we discussed my printer dilemma; upshot was she said it could be the cord to the laptop and she'd drop one off. She did, I tried it, no luck, called her and she'll come tomorrow, pick up the printer, and take it home to try with her computer. While I was chatting with Dianna, she mentioned that she had had a training business which included writing readers theatre skits and selling them to school districts. We exchanged cards and she gave me her past and present one: 

Wrote my bio for the show and emailed it to Shannon. Let Julie know I wouldn't be going to the monthly BCNN meeting tomorrow. Company comin' and too much going on. 

Trimmed my ivy geranium, but I'm afraid the regular one isn't long for this world. I've cut it way back, but it's still seems to be giving up the ghost. Think I'll plant something else in the spot.   

Rehearsal tonight, called at an ungodly hour: 8:00 and Ken will pick me up at 7:30--AAGH!