Saturday

The birthday party for Lewis was a lot of fun. Vickie and I got there about 2:15 to find Cheryl and her husband, George, already there. Later, Lennie came in and, besides Sharon, that was all from T.O.P.S. I know Lora had been planning to go, but she didn't; not sure why.

There was enough food for seventy or eighty people, I'd say: chicken, pork, ribs, a New Orleans-type sausage and seafood medley, salad, macaroni and cheese, turkey sandwiches, and more, plus several desserts and soda. I asked for a beer and Lewis got it out of his personal stash, a bottle of Modelo negra-(name seems appropriate). Here are some pics from the party:

A semi-T.O.P.S. table: Vickie with back to camera and from her left around the table, Lennie, Michelle, Cheryl's husband, George, and Cheryl.

On the patio. HA--it was Lewis's seventy-fifth.

From left: Michelle, Vickie, Michael, Sharon, her son-in-law, and Cheryl's husband, George.

Connie, one of Lewis's four sisters. I had a great time talking to her, as she's had some stage experience.

Also fell into conversation with Katie, who lives in a posh "retirement village" in Thousands Oaks. (She has three bedrooms and two baths.)  When I got home, I found an email from her, inviting me to visit for lunch and we arranged for me to go next Monday, the 22nd. This will just be a visit, not a tour. 

Hostess Sharon with Michelle, who had been in our T.O.P.S. group for several years. 

And here's a mix of the Rex family, some children, some grandchildren, and some of Lewis's sisters.

The party had started at 2:00 and we said goodbye about 4:30.Vickie then drove me up to see Vista Del Mar, 'way up in the hills, where she worked years ago. She and Mary lived very close to it and the views are spectacular:

So--a fun day.

Note to self: I just ordered printer ink from Canon, using my new BOA credit card. I will be "cash rewarded" two hundred bucks if I charge a thou in the first three months, which is easy, since I charge almost everything. I've done this before with three other cards, so in April, will have been "rewarded" with a total eight hundred bucks. Since I never carry a balance, there's no downside for me, so why not?

Friday

 After last week's spectacular weight loss of 3.7, I bounced backward, so to speak, by gaining 2.4 at home and 1.1 at T.O.P.S. for weights of 127 and 125.7 respectively. This is not at all bothersome, as I'm still well within by desired range of 125 to 127. (Actually, last week, I slipped below at home, to 124.6.)

Anyhoo, we all gained, oddly enough, but Bobbi and Lora by just ounces. Chatted, then Lennie did a "program," so called, on which veggie is  most popular in the U.S. No surprises there, potatoes and corn lead the list, the two most caloric of common vegetables. I volunteered to do the program next week.

After my late breakfast, I turned my attention to sorting things to donate to GoodWill.  This is only what I've weeded out so far, clothing and Christmas stuff. The fan on the left will go, too. and there's plenty more to come:

Got a text from Suzanne inviting Vickie and me to Happy Hour at 5:00 either today or tomorrow. However, Vickie and I are going to Louis's birthday party today, and tomorrow, Vickie is booked, so after texting back and forth, we settled on next Friday, the nineteenth. Went over to Von's after lunch for milk and a few other staples, then just continued my eternal getting-rid-of chores. 

I was thrilled to see this on Facebook--about my grandson and his new job in Monroe, N.J.: 

The Pickleball Prince--so proud of him!

Thursday

Had breakfast, then Primary Medical got me on video messenger with Dr. Ficks at the agreed time of 8:30. I'm always startled when I see her, as she looks like a cute little, blonde sophomore, but I assume she has a medical degree. 😉 

Cute little doc had good news: My latest tests show that not only are my bones stable, but they have improved. Not sure if I put that right, but Dr. F. was pleased and so was I. I don't have to see her again for another year, so that's good--I'll just keep taking the alendronate once a week and eating my broccoli. 

The rest of the day wasn't so agreeable. I spent hours--and I mean that literally--on the phone straightening out the SCAN new insurance questions, including the dental and vision part. As I mentioned, I was disappointed in "losing" Dr. Babbitt (teeth), but I did sign up for Zak Dental, which is right across from the transit center, so that should work out okay. I even made an appointment for my first visit: 8:10 am on the 24th. Also, called Uber and arranged for transportation to get there. No return trip, as I'll visit the mall after and bus home. At least, I was happy to learn I can still go to Maramar with my eyes. 

In between all the crapola, I made two dates: Diane and I will do our "lunch at the library" thing on Sunday and Noreen will treat me to my birthday lunch on Tuesday. As mentioned before, Julie and Lora will do the same next Friday, when we go to Santa Barbara. I still have Jim's birthday lunch to arrange and I'm trying to think of a relatively inexpensive place. The ones that are really "inexpensive"? I'd rather starve. 

Strolled over to Von's for ground turkey and some nice honeycrisp apples. That galvanized me to do a considerable amount of food prep. Before dinner, I made roasted cauliflower, turkey stir-fry, and baked apples (they look like doughnuts, but I swear, they're not)!

 I had some of the stir-fry and cauliflower for dinner and an apple for a later-night treat.

T.O.P.S this morning and this time, I know I've gained. In addition, I have a busy, food-filled week coming up: Saturday, birthday party for Louis;

Sunday, library lunch with Diane;

Monday, dinner with Soaring Spirits;

Wednesday, I think, but am not sure, BCNN Happy Hour;

Thursday, Santa Barbara, Betty, and birthday lunch, courtesy of Julie and Lora.

AAGH!! but also, YAY!!

Wednesday And Dudley House

Cleaned up some mundane paperwork in the morning, then took my cart and walked to The Market.  On the way, I met up with a woman walking toward with her adorable grandbaby strapped to her chest. (Why wasn't that the way we carried our babies? It makes so much more sense.)  I admired Baby Ella and we chatted, exchanged info--she's from New York and will go back today, but will return. She texted me later she'll get in touch when she returns in a few weeks. Good--I like to make new friends. 

Got a call from Primary Medical; Dr. Ficks has acquiesced to my request (demand?) to have a Zoom consultation instead of me having to go all the way there just to talk. Yes, I now have the portal to portal Uber benefit, but it's still a pain to have to be there in person.

Julie called to ask if I'm available next Thursday, the 18th for she and Lora to take me to my birthday lunch. Yes, I'm available and we'll go first to see Betty in Santa Barbara, then to the Boathouse restaurant. This is on a kind of crag way up overlooking the ocean and I've always wanted to go there, so am looking forward.

Spent time with the Chop Wizard preparing the peppers and several of the onions for a stir-fry. Damn, I thought I had a few pounds in the freezer, but I don't. I'll go over to Von's to get some today. 

Jim picked me up at 5:45 and we went to the Dudley House annual meeting and potluck. As a docent, I've been leading tours there for five or six years and always take Jim to the meetings. Here are some pics of the gathering, including the program on the notorious Ma Duncan case: 

I wonder if it's only in California that men now keep their hats on inside.

The speaker with slide; it shows Frank Duncan and his mother who was the last woman executed for murder in California. Who did she kill via hired killers? Frank's wife. 

The woman on the left is the great-granddaughter of Benjamin Dudley, who had the house built in 1892.

Lynn Weitzel, director of docents, who signed me up for October.

My Molloy's Irish cream went over big and was gone by the time the meeting was over. Didn't get home until 9:00; skipped T.V. and went directly to bed. 

Tuesday: Goodbye Day

Mike, Paula, and Violet came over at 11:00 and we went off to Barnes & Noble. Violet wanted to get a book by a particular writer, but they didn't have it. Mike had asked if a store nearby had suitcases--they needed another to go back to Singapore--and I  mentioned I was planning to donate a large one I no longer need (I bought a new one before I went to New Mexico). Did he want it? Yes, he did, and it was in Ellen's shed, so we drove over to Ojai. El was at school, of course, and Greg was out, but we all have keys. Chatted for a bit, then discussed where to go for lunch. 

Mike, the compulsive type like his crazy mother, looked various eateries up and thought we should check out a few, stopping first at the Ojai Kitchen. I had been there once, but at a kind of funeral home seminar years ago, so wasn't familiar with the menu. We looked, decided it was okay, and ate there. It was surprisingly good, not readymade and out-of-a-can stuff, but actually made to order and well done. Three of the five of us got breakfast (although it was almost one) and declared it as good as any they'd had. What was particularly notable was that the orange juice was freshly squeezed. I got a sandwich with sweet potatoes fries, shared them around, and we agreed they were about the best we'd had.   

After that culinary adventure, we went back to Ellen's to chat a bit, but soon Mike and his contingent had to leave, as Paula had a meeting at 3:00. They fly back to Singapore today and what a wrench it alway is to say goodbye; yesterday was no exception. Took this pic, showing from left, Cessy,  Paula, Violet, and Mike:

(Cessy, a notorious prima donna, refused to sit on the couch.)

As ever, I hated saying goodbye to my far-flung family, but had to. At least, Violet will be back for camp in the summer and, presumably, Mike will be with her. I was driving home, then remembered the  Dudley House annual meeting and potluck is tonight. Damn, what should I bring? I thought of going to Von's for dip ingredients, but then remembered the Irish cream I had made for Christmas gifts. I still had one bottle left and decided to take that instead and made up the label. BTW, this is considerably bigger than it looks here: 

Viola! 

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Oops--I forgot to add this picture of Julie and me on the Promenade after the BCNN lunch at Feeney's on Monday. Sent it to her and noted she looks like a movie star:

Me? Just alive and kickin', but you ain't seen nothin' yet.

Julie picked me up and we drove to town for the BCNN lunch at Finney's. We parked down on the Promenade next to the ocean and walked there--maybe three quarters of a mile and it felt good in the sun. Had a good time with about twenty attendees and the Caesar salad and IPA. Bridgette came over to us after and jabbered--she's a jabberer with a German accent--about how she found a terrific cheese display at Smart 'n' Final. We walked her to her car and Julie, intrigued by the cheese info, asked if I wanted to go down to S 'n' F and see if we liked it. Sure thing, and we did. I did like it and I bought pme to give Louis at his birthday party on Saturday. Sharon doesn't want gifts, but this is just a token and I know he likes cheese:                                                                                        

I also some picked up some cod, which I haven't had for a while, but frozen, not fresh. Had it for dinner and it was so-so, and some beautiful blueberries. Didn't get home until after 3:00.

Called Primary Medical to see what gives with my new insurance. Yes, it's finally approved and there seem to be no more obstacles to my endocrinology appointment. However, I was told I'll be put on the cancellation list, as Dr. Ficks is booked for the next month--damn! I said to have Dr. Ficks call me--oh, no, heaven forfend, doctors doesn't call anybody except to tell them bad news I was told her bookie (the one who books her appointments) will. I want to know what this appointment entails. If she'll simply talk to me, we can do that over the phone. Of course, I haven't heard back from the bookie yet.  

Got a text from Mike that they'll be coming tomorrow to Ventura, their last day in California; Violet wants to go to Barnes & Noble---great! I'll be picked up and meet them there. I have a gift card for Chaucer's in Santa Barbara, so probably will not buy at B & N, but it's good to be there.

Sunday

I was picked up at 9:30 and off we went to Santa Barbara. We sat and chatted with Mike, Paula, and Violet (Vivian had flown back to Hawaii on Friday), who showed us some of the sea glass she had gathered on the beach: 

We then piled into the van and drove to the Mission. Strolled around the rose garden and visited the gift shop (didn't go into the church part, as mass was going on), and took some pics:

Violet and Paula.

Some old coot.

Violet on fountain.

After that, it was the Santa Barbara pier, a place I've always liked. We strolled around, noted the  Norwegian cruise ship in the harbor:  

and lunched at Moby Dick:

One side of the table.

We got back to the AirBnB just in time to greet niece Carolyn and great-niece Claire. Chatted for a bit, then the five of them left to take the steep, rocky incline to the beach. I was tempted, but for once, made a prudent decision and didn't go. Nor did Paula and that was good, as she and I played Scrabble, then chatted a bit until they returned. By that time it was dark and chilly. The rest of the gang came in, we visited for a time and were sorry to hear some bad news for nephew Finn, Carolyn's 22-year-old son. He was visiting Francine, yet another niece, in San Francisco, and had his car stolen. Worse, he had left his wallet inside. Had to take the train home to SB while the insurance company investigates. Carolyn and Claire left about 5:30 and we followed a short time later. Mike and family leave the day after tomorrow and I hope to meet up with them once more. Long day, but a good one, and incredibly, I turned in at 9:00 and slept until 5:00.