FRIDAY WITH MY FRIEND

 AAGH! I gained two pounds (to 136.2) at home and two (137.4) at T.O.P.S.; now, I'm going to have to plan my strategy or disaster awaits!

So, no breakfast and I was hungry by lunchtime. Sat with the regulars and had "Marry Me Chicken," which nobody ever heard of before, but it was  a pasta dish and pretty good. Left to go directly to the beauty salon where Caitlin washed and blow-dried my hair. It look good and even now, still does.  

After that, I was just skipping around on the Internet when, once again, my newly re-found friend, Doris, called me from Virginia. We talked for almost an hour, lighting on the topic of our parents' deaths. She told me her mother's name, but she didn't know her age, when she had died, or when she was born, and other pertinent information, such as what the malady was that killed her. She doesn't have any death certificate or obituary, either, so I told her I'd look it up. I found dozens of listings for "Alice Norton" and some obits, but none that matched any info I had. It occurred to me that Doris may actually have been mistaken at her mother's name at death--wasn't Alice Norton a character in that Jackie Gleason show?

On a cheerier note, Vickie picked me up at 5:15. I had asked her to pick the restaurant and boy, this was a great choice. We went to Enzo's in Santa Paula, a large, other-worldly place in a hotel and boy, this was a great choice. I had been there only once before, last May with Julie. I loved it then and loved it last night: 

Enzo's is Italian and we both had pasta. I had had pasta for lunch, but so what? I love the stuff and this was just superb. Maybe I shouldn't have, but I indulged myself with an IPA--heaven in a glass--and that was a delightful meal.  

My dear friend and me.

After a leisurely meal and great conversation, we went back to my place and Vickie showed me the surprise she had brought. It was a little statue set of all the U.S. Presidents, up to--if I remember correctly--Lyndon Johnson. Her mother had collected them for Vickie when she was a child and later, sent them to her. We greatly enjoyed reading their term dates, discussing their terms, and reminiscing. Here they are, along with V.:

(Note the pictures behind the couch; hanger is coming on Tuesday.)

After a thoroughly delightful evening, we said goodbye about 10:15 (practically the middle of the night for me, but I didn't care), and I went to bed without reading, T.V., or anything but Dreamland. Can't wait to see Vickie again, along with Suzanne and Kay when we celebrate their birthdays on the fifteenth.

THURSDAY

Breakfast, with Keith. We chatted for quite a while, then I gathered up my laundry and went to the laundry room to wash it, but what was this? Both washers were labeled out of order, so I went up to the third floor to use the ones there. I ran into another resident and was told there are two laundry rooms on each floor. I never knew that and will search out the second second floor one. In the meantime, I got the laundry done.

I wandered outside in the gorgeous sunshine and saw that the clubhouse doors were open and people were in there; found out that Bone Builders were meeting there and I joined them. Cheryl P., one of my friends, is a kind of assistant director, so she was there, too. I joined them for the exercises and I'll probably continue. It meets only twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I can handle that. Cheryl and I went directly from there to lunch, joining Kathy, Keith, and Mary. 

After, going up in the elevator, a woman came in who greeted me by name. This was Katherine, with whom I had been acquainted (she knows Suzanne and Vickie better) at SO-FI. I knew she was coming in on the fifth, but I've met so many people in the last six weeks, I actually forgot who she was. I said hello, but should have greeted her more warmly. 

The nurse or P.T. or O.T.--actually, she was an aide--was due between 2:30 and 4:30, so I didn't want to go out. In the meantime, I took the bubble wrap off a lot of pictures, so I can decide where the bigger ones will go when the picture hanger comes on Tuesday. I now have a dozen or more propped against the walls and so on--AAGH, I can't wait until this moving-in crapola is over!

The aide came about 3:00 and guided me through a shower. She asked if I wanted her to come back every week, but I said no--I will buy a shower chair and do it myself. 

Went down to dinner and saw newcomer Catherine again. I apologized for not recognizing her earlier and she appreciated that. I'll see her again. 

Happily, Vickie called--good thing, because I had written our dinner date on Saturday, whereas we're meeting tonight. She'll pick me up about 5:15 and I'm looking forward to it so much. She also invited me to join her, Suzanne, and Kay, on Sunday, the fifteenth, to celebrate the latter two's birthdays. Suzanne will be 78 and Kay, 80 and I was pleased to accept.

Dinner with The Four and we had lasagna, which was actually pretty good.

I had called Doris G. earlier, but had to cut it off for dinner. She called me back after and talked-talked-talkety-talked with hardly a breath. Okay, finally I lied in my teeth and told her there was something I had to do and we'll get in touch later--whew!  

WEDNESDAY AND WATER

Had breakfast with Keith, then Julie picked me up at 8:45 and we took off for the BCNN meeting. First, though, we picked up Lelo and Gerry, both of whom I had met before. As soon as she stepped in the car, Gerry started talking, all abut herself and in the most obnoxious possible way: "I was a very successful real estate agent for twenty-five years, my three children are all tops in their field, my home is a showplace, and I'm a person you should thank the universe exits, and wonderful me and I'm great, and BLUB, BLAB, BLEEP!"  

The program was about the Ojai Tortoise Preserve--mildly interesting and I'm going to tell Vera about it; she's my friend who has turtles as pets. They gave out this mag (the title reminiscent of National Geographic)  at the  meeting, called, wouldn't you know, The Tortoise: 

Interestingly, Katherine, who was with us, also has a interest in tortoises. She was married to a Costa Rican at one time and she and her family used to visit a tortoise/turtle refuge there. Here she is--they're hard to make out, but she's wearing her turtle earrings:

BTW, here's a bit of important information: All tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises; there are dozens of varieties. Katherine took me home and I was pleased when she told me she had bought and read War Made Invisible, which I had recommended. It's great to find another pacifist.  

Home shortly before lunch and I ate with the usuals. After, I prepared as much as possible for Gus, the picture hanger, but realized I had concentrated only on the two largest. Why in the world, after almost two months, didn't I even unwrap the others, especially the next largest. As it turned out, it got to be 3:00 and then 4:00 and he still hadn't come. We gather for dinner at 4:45 and if he were here, I'd have to miss. I called him, we talked, and I told him I'd rather he waited, anyway. He agreed and we made a date for next Tuesday, the tenth, at the same time. If he's late then, I don't care, because I'll have had time to look over my pics. Then after this jammed week, I'll have a free day on Saturday; I should label that a fun day, as Vickie's going to pick me up and we're going out, just the two of us, for dinner. Can't wait!

Annoyingly, we were notified that the water will be off from 7:00 to 11:00 tonight and I filled up two potsa (I'm writing this at 7:08 pm). Think I'll go check...yep, no wa-wa...

...but now it's 6:30 A.M. on Thursday and the ordeal (no biggie) is over--full flow! 

TUESDAY

Breakfast with Keith, of course, but not Mary or Kathy. Ursula sat down with us, though, for better or worse. Back upstairs, I did this and that as I waited for Ellen, who came at nine to pick me up for the whatever-it-was radiology test. It was for the thyroid, I think, and we got back about 10:30. At 11:00, the visiting R.N., Amanda, came and did some kind of wellness check, including BP. Ellen had brought my new BP machine and Amanda took mine. It was 150/80, which is higher than it should be (140/90) but I guess no cause for alarm. She'll be back and so will Francis the nurse and the O.T., and who knows who else.

El put in my meds while I went down to lunch; ate with Kathy and Cheryl. Ellen came to say goodbye when she was finished, as she's going on to a "Law of Attraction" seminar today and I won't see her again until Monday. Boy, will I miss her, even though we don't always see eye-to-eye, she's my help and support and one of my best friends.

Went upstairs to wait for Carolyn, then Du-Lani came to do the (light) housekeeping. I don't like to be in her way while she's cleaning, so I went downstairs. Carolyn was already there and we sat in the kind of reception area to chat. I showed her around a bit, then we went up to my place. She said she just loved it and if she didn't have a family, she'd move right in. My dear niece brought me some terrific gifts; this lovely succulent that will look great on my porch/patio: 

And how I'll enjoy these, of course--a bottle of Abruzzo and six cans of hazy IPA:

But WHAT?!? This is the terrible stuff I shouldn't be drinking right?

Wrong. Note the 0.0 on the bottle; there's no alcohol in either of them.

 

After we chatted in my place, we took a walk around the grounds and Carolyn took this selfie, but jeez, I look like Old Lady Goofball:

But no matter: I had a wonderful day with the person I love most in the world after my own family. She left just at quarter of 5:00 and I went down to dinner. I sat with the only Asian woman who lives at The Orchard, Julie, who's from the Philippines, because my own group of four were seated at a table for four. Actually, I kind of like a change of dining companions now and then, although Julie tends to be a none-stop talker.  

Back upstairs, I took my BP with the new machine. I was disappointed to find it was 170/96, but am hoping it will lower tomorrow.  BCNN meeting this morning, then we may go to lunch, then the picture hanger this afternoon.

MONDAY

Had breakfast with Keith and, for the first time, Kathie; Mary didn't show. After, I got a few minor things done, and assembled as much as I could of my medical paperwork, which is beginning to drive me crazy--or crazier.

Ellen got here at 11:30 and we went off to the Stone Fire Grille for lunch. I wasn't sure any of the former Soaring Spirits members, but four were and a newbie came later. We had a good time and Ellen made a big hit. It was great to see them again, especially Susan, but of course, I miss Vera, our former leader, who moved to Oregon.

Home about 2:00 and El and I took a walk around the campus, then spent an inordinate amount of time catching with the appointment stuff. Today, I go to Rolling Oaks (that always reminded me of a motorcycle gang) Radiology for--I believe, two tests of some kind. In the afternoon, though, niece Carolyn is coming for a visit and I'm looking forward to that.

Dinner with the usual five of us. I slipped away before dessert to take a shower and that felt good. Didn't wash my hair, as I'm having Caitlin, the on-site hairdresser, wash and blow-dry it on Friday at 1:00. 

El called to say after that to say the O.T., Andrea, will come tomorrow to advise about adjustments to the shower so I can be safe and comfortable. What I want includes a new shower head. Everybody is advising me to get a shower chair. I had a stool, but I just don't like to sit down while showering. I don't feel comfortable to begin with, and prefer to stand.  

Dinner with the other four; it was pork loin and not bad, then I--successfully--took a shower, but I still want to make some improvements. El called to confirm she'll be here at 9:00 today to take me to Rolling Oaks. This will be three days in a row she's come and I hope she doesn't think this: 

SUNDAY WITH STELLA

Breakfast with Keith. I noticed Mary and Cheryl were sitting together, talking intensely. Kathy came to sit with us and said they were discussing a serious personal topic. Had my usual poached eggs and went back upstairs to prepare for Stella. She texted me after mass at The Mission and got here promptly at 11:00. I was pleased that she had brought me four lemons from her tree, plus a nice ripe avocado. 

We went up to my apartment and I showed her around, then down to lunch. She and I sat by ourselves, but I introduced her to Mary. After, we went to Wal-Mart, then to Green Thumb and I got three lovely primrose plants, white, yellow, and purple. Stella will be moving soon and asked if I wanted to take some of the succulents in her gardens, of which she has dozens. I hope to get over there one of these days and pick some out.

Mike called while we were driving home. I called him back when Stella left, and we had a good chat. He's in Austin until the end of the week and I told him I decided I shouldn't go to Vivian's U. of Hawaii graduation in May. He had said my children were all very concerned about that--they think the trip and the hubbub would be too much for me and I reluctantly concurred. He was glad I made that decision and, happily, the university videotapes the whole thing and I'll be able to see it.

Dinner with Keith, Mary, and Cheryl. After, I met a new resident named Beverly (she told me she heard there are eight Beverlys here, although that's hard to believe)  and we had a nice chat. She had lived at The Lexington--I'm not sure for how long--and had disliked a lot of it, so moved here. I invited her in to see my place and we seemed to bond--we'll see. 

Ellen called; she'll be here today and we'll go out for lunch. I suggested we go to the Stone Fire Grille and meet up with the Soaring Spirits group. It disbanded when leader Vera moved to Oregon, but I think the rest are still meeting twice a month, but simply as friends. 

SATURDAY

At breakfast, Mary wore one of her many kitty shirts: 

Happily, her Willow is rapidly improving and will get the scratch avoider (face cone?) off today.

Compared to other days, it was pretty quiet. I washed my sheets before lunch, but when I went to get the new ones I had bought, they were king-sized, so I put back the other ones. Ellen has king-sized, so I'll see if she can use them. 

Lunch with the usual four, then I went out on the sunny campus to sit and call Muckie. We had a good, long talk for thirty minutes or so. She's not recovering from the pancreatic cancer--you don't recover--and it has reached the liver, but so far, she' doing pretty well. She can't get to the hospital for her chemo because on top of the horrific snow storm, they had a dreadful ice storm. 

I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to set up my medications. Ellen and the visiting nurse had done it before, but this is a new week and I didn't want to wait. I think I got it right.

Went down to dinner at the usual horrendously early hour so 4:45, damnit, but I guess there isn't much I can do about it. Ate with Keith and Kathy, as Mary and Cheryl were having a heart-to-heart at another table.

Slept okay, although I woke up, I glanced at my phone, thought it said 6:15, so got up, as my alarm goes off at 6:15. After I had washed and partially dressed, I saw it said 5:30, but oh, well, I turned in at 9:00, so got eight hours. 

Stella is supposed to come to lunch today after 11:00 o'clock mass at the Mission. Whether she'll get here in time for lunch is iffy, but to be honest, I don't really care. 

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On Facebook Duane's partner, Ani, posted the above of Duane and his twin daughters...

which was accompanied by the request below for friends to reply to these questions:

Coincidentally, I came across an FB entry of mine on which Duane commented and we had a fun exchange. I plan to share it with Ani.

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