Touching Base With Friends

Did the Kimball walk, as usual.
Called Doris and we chatted; I'll see her tomorrow at The Townhomes wine and music thing. She mentioned that Carole's birthday is coming up and asked if I'd like to go in with her to take her dinner. Sure thing and we'll set a date later.
Talked to another Carole: Wimberg Cadora, that is, and we settled on me visiting her from the fifth to the seventh, Tuesday to Thursday. I'll take the train to San Juan Capistrano and she'll pick me up there. Should be fun with my young (several years younger than I am, that is, so a mere kid) and slightly-kooky-but-in-a-good-way friend.
Talked to Sue Sailboat and was concerned to hear she had spent the night in the hospital a few days ago. During one of Dr. Wordling's SCAN lectures, we had seen a video on "Heart Attacks in Women" and darned if she didn't seem to have the symptoms. They included pain under her left breast, which she referred to as "angina," but her heart seemed okay. (I'm not sure if that term properly denotes pain from a heart attack only, or not.) She does have to see a cardiologist, so there must be some concern. Sue says she'd like to lose ten pounds, but I don't know from where, as she's certainly not overweight (all that hard physical work on the board is good for the bod). She's tall (now five ten--says she was closer to six feet when younger) and big-boned; she makes me think of the word "statuesque." She's only 69--talk about your kid!
Called El in a tizzy because my computer was acting up. I was able to bring it back to life, though, and she and I chatted. As she's been suggesting, I'm leaning toward getting a laptop.
I'm to meet the Ventura Breeze reporter today at 11:30 at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, so that'll be interesting. Unfortunately, I passed a very restless night; not sure why. Think I'll forego the walk, as I feel draggy.

Quiet

I was restless over Monday night, but finally fell asleep and didn't get up until 8:30. That gave me a good excuse to skip the walk...but I didn't. Although it was after 9:00 when I got going, I went, got my BP checked, and walked the walk. I felt better after that.
Had breakfast, straightened up a bit, then went to get my oil changed. While there, I got a text from niece Carolyn, saying that both the carpet cleaner guy and the plumber would be late and she had to pick Finn up after, so she and Claire wouldn't be able to come and go in the pool after all. That was okay; I texted back no prob on my end and maybe they could make it next week.
Still on the trail of rotisserie chicken, I actually stopped at Vons to ask if they have a rotisserie oven. Nope, which makes me wish Shop-Rite would open here.
I didn't have lunch until after 2:00, then went to Wal-Mart and picked up some very inexpensive tank tops. In the summer, especially, I like to get out of "good" tops when I eat or am doing anything strenuous and wear these. I wouldn't dream of wearing the chintzy ones out anywhere as I greatly dislike exposing my arms (flab? Oh, yeah), plus they look--well, chintzy.
I'm having second thoughts about moving to Ventura Del Sol. Checked Yelp and there were several negative comments. I'm back to square one when it comes to moving, I'm afraid. I guess it's just as well my lease isn't up until September.
It's just incredible that yesterday was my great-grandson's fourteenth birthday. I remember when he was born. And when his Dad was born. And (gulp!) when his grandmother was born. Geez, I'm getting to be an old lady.

Plans

When I lie in bed at night, I sometimes--not always--plan what I want to do the next day. Sometimes I follow through and sometimes not. What I resolved to do on Monday was:
1. Walk the walk at Kimball;
2. Get a shower and wash my hair;
3. Call and change my eye appointment;
4. Call Walter re my tenant continuing in the house;
5. Go to Jessica Spa for a pedicure;
6. Stop in at Vons and ask if they have rotisserie chicken;
7. Stroll around Ventura Del Sol (whence I hope to move) to get a feel for it.
Well, wonders will never cease: I completed all those things. Walter said Eileen and I just have to agree to continue the lease (unless I want to raise the rent, but I don'). The pedicure thing was problematic, believe it or not, to wit: I thought it was taking longer than it ever had before The guy (I hadn't had him previously) massaged my legs with some kind of lavender cream, wrapped them with hot towels, and finessed a few other things until I was there for an hour and a half. Well, he's just slow, I thought, but I was in no hurry. The shock came when I got to the cash register and was told the charge was forty-five dollars! What?! It had always been twenty-two and with a three-buck tip an even twenty-five. In fact, I only had a five and a few ones, so I gave him the five. I was told I had gotten the "deluxe pedicure," and I protested that I had not asked for, or agreed to, that. The manager apologized, then asked me to just pay the twenty-two, so okay.
Stopped to get my oil changed, but there were several in front of me, so a ninety-minute wait. Instead, I made an appointment for today at 1:00. Neice Carolyn called and I invited her and Claire to come use the pool today, which they will. I'll enjoy having them.

Mimosas and Me

A good, fun day. Drove to Kimball and walked the walk. Did this and that after breakfast, then to El's at noon. We went to the Hill Street Cafe again (hope this will be a weekly habit) and I enjoyed the free mimosas. The server brings a full (slim) glass of champagne, along with a little pitcher of orange juice. After a swallow or two of the bubbly, you pour in the O.J., and enjoy. What gets me is that the wait staff comes around often to refill--and the mimosas are free when you order from a certain area of the menu. Last week and yesterday, I got the eggs benedict, which come exactly the way I like them: only slightly jelled whites and barely cooked yolks. (El wrinkled her nose, but to me, they were perfect.)
After, we went to Orchard Lane to look at a house for sale. This is a gated community and we had some difficulty finding the r.e. agent, but finally did. The place isn't bad--nice fireplace, attractive patio and so on--but really, Ellen's present house is nicer. Just for curiosity's sake, we also looked at one around the corner from her and similar, but it was smaller and neither of us liked it very much.
After that, we spent several hours cleaning El's patio. "We?" Okay, she did 99 percent of the work and I kept her company. She washed down the glass-topped table and the chairs, dragged the huge potted plant to the other side, moved all the other plants and another table, then swept and hosed down the concrete part. Anyway, it was a lot of work, but on that lovely day, warm and sunny, but with a nice breeze, we both enjoyed it. Got home about six and realized the Eggs Benedict and Mimosas had satisfied me so much, I didn't want dinner, so I skipped it.

Chicken

A kind of laid-back, nothing-much kind of day. I did go to Kimball Park and walk my one and a quarter. I was a little late, about 9:00, so didn't see Doris. It was good, though, and I want to galvanize myself to make it an everyday habit.
Aside from that, I cut up onion, garlic, and tomatoes, and defrosted some meal balls I had made a few weeks ago. However, I wasn't particularly hungry after lunch of the rest of the pork roast, Brussel sprouts, and applesauce, so guess I'll stir fry them all up tonight.
I spent time on the computer, even including Facebook. The girls in the west have posted some lovely pictures. What a time Vivian and Violet are having! Lucky them to have such aunties, not only the one in New Mexico, but the one in Ventura. Can't wait to see them and their Dad.
Went to WinCo for this and that. Got a nice thank you note from Walter. Good, I didn't save the P.O. receipt for the package and wondered if it had gotten there all right. I'll call him on Monday to ask about renewing the lease for my house.
I want to note two peculiar things about California--or this area, maybe:
1. You can't seem to get rotisserie chicken. In the supermarkets--all those I've been to--they sell whole cooked chicken, of course, but they're just roasted, which you might has well do at home. So far, I haven't found any rotisserie chicken, such as they have in Shop-Rite and Acme at home. They just don't seem to have rotisserie ovens, although what comes out of them is SO GOOD.
2. At WinCo, there was a free sample station for Sangria. That's red wine with fruit and stuff in it. I like it a lot and was pleased to get a tiny cup of it--it was tasty, all right. I was surprised to see a sign instructing parents that if they wanted their children to sample it, they had to give permission. I can't imagine that, in Jersey, even "giving permission" would allow children to have booz. As I understand it, parents are not even allow to permit those under-aged to drink at home. Funny.
El called last night and we made a date for lunch at the Hill Street Cafe, then some open houses. She thinks Vons does have rotisserie chicken--I'll check and find out.
P.S. Geez, when the big news of the day is rotisserie chicken, I'd better spice things up a bit!

The Breeze

Yes, I made it to T.O.P.S. I was chagrinned that I "maintained," as we say, but that my have been a result of crackers and salsa the night before.
Did this and that until my appointment at the harbor with Shelton Brown, publisher of The Ventura Breeze. We met and he treated me to a raspberry Snapple, then we sat on a patio and talked and talked.
He didn't exactly "interview" me; in fact, he talked more about his background, which was okay with me, as I found it and him interesting. He said he'd have one of his writers contact me by phone or e-mail. Shelton is about my age--maybe a few years younger--and has a--well, a bit of an unkempt appearance. He has wild white hair, quite long, and a bushy white beard. He doesn't look like Santa, though, as he's rail-thin and Jewish. He was wearing something like jeans, but green, and a green tee shirt, both of which have clearly been worn and washed many times.
He's a big talker and filled me in on his background: born in Detroit, brought up in L.A., lives with second wife in midtown, has three children, two grandchildren, and has owned and published the Breeze for ten years. He has absolutely no background in publishing, writing, or anything else remotely connected to the enterprise. In fact, he went to U.C.L.A studying to be an architect; I'm not clear on whether he ever graduated. Anyway, we met for about an hour and I gave him my theatrical resume, plus some other info on me and told him how and why I got to Ventura.
It was a nice interlude and it can't hurt to have my acting class mentioned. I'm looking forward to hearing from the writer, whose name, incredibly (according to Sheldon, her mother gave all her children nicknames), is "Breezy."
Good new, too: Mike wrote to say he and the girls have booked at the Best Western Ventura for their stay here from July 12 to the 16th--YAY!

So On And So Forth

Got a late start to Kimball Park for the walk, but made it about 9:15. Nurse took me BP before I started, but she had left when I got back--no prob, though. Aside from that, I did a bunch of computer, bill-paying chores and some housework.
Went to the eye doctor for my 2:45 appointment. He saw some evidence of beginning macular degeneration and had me make a appointment with his colleague, a retina specialist. Damn, that makes me nervous, but I'll try not to obsess on it until after I see the guy on July 15.
Went home and changed, then to the store for stuff. Doris called; she said she was pretty sure she knew the answer, but wanted to know if I wanted to go to a "Honor Veterans" gathering at Cypress Point. She guessed right--that I couldn't in good conscience for that. (I didn't mention that not only I'd turn it down for moral considerations, but it would bore me to death.) Doris is a good, kind person and sensitive to others' beliefs.
I told her about our visit to The Townhomes and we chatted about that. She asked if she'd see me at the music/wine thing today and I said yes, but forgot I have an appointment with the Ventura Breeze guy at 3:00 at the harbor. Called back to cancel.
I just got up at 8:15 and not yet dressed--darn! Will I rush go to T.O.P.S, which starts at 8:45 or follow my natural inclination of lazy slobism? Tune in tomorrow.