Various

I'm happy to say I resumed walking at Kimball. I want to keep it up, too.
My friend, Gabrielle, called to ask if I could meet at Starbucks for a coffee or whatever. Sure, I could, and we decided on noon.
I'm not a Starbucks fan--the coffee's okay, sure, but all the stuff is fearfully overpriced and I don't even like it that much--but I didn't mind going there. Gabrielle was shopping at Kohl's, which is in the same shopping center and the shopping center is an easy walk away from my place.
I got a passion fruit iced tea, which I thought barely drinkable, but it didn't cost me anything because I had some left on the two gift cards I had. We talked for an hour or more, poor G. lamenting the fact that her granddaughter, who's 27, still lives with her and won't seem to leave. I still think G. is depressed--in the real sense--and there's something wrong with her foot, which she says was malformed at birth, but nobody realized it. She goes to a naturopath--I refrained from comment--and says that helps.
I had recorded the donated books and good grief, there are 26 of them! After G. and I parted, I went to the post office to see if sending them might be less expensive if I used the "one price for any weight" boxes. However, I was told it would considerably cheaper if I sent them media rate. Okay, I will.
Went to the library after, thinking maybe the "Friends" of same would pick up some or all of the postage. Ha--they don't even have meetings. However, I got the name of the city library director and will see if she has any ideas. I doubt it, though.
Picked up a few items from the store and had chili with cheese and sour cream for dinner. Pretty good. Betty called and we talked. I called my friend, but left a message; I'm not sure if they're still in Jersey or not.

The Townehouse and Jeanne

Went to T.O.P.S. in the morning and was surprised to be declared the biggest loser. That's not too impressive, though, as I lost only 1.4 pounds, but hey, I'll take it. I picked from the goodie box a pretty little yellow pitcher which will look nice with a sprig of flowers in it. I was also surprised that Sharon and Lydia had both brought me a number of paperbacks for the prisoners. There must be twenty of them and I started to wonder how much the postage would be. Hmm....
By the time I got home and had breakfast, it was after 10:00, so I decided to skip the Adult Center lunch and just go there and get copies of The Silver Tsunami. Did so, stopping on the way to drop off hairdresser Amanda's tip, which the computer wouldn't accept on Thursday.
Also stopped at the post office to get some info on the least expensive rate for the books. Wow, a bit more than a pound would be more than three bucks, so what will what I send cost? On the way home, I decided I'd ask Carole is the Friends of the Ventura Library might pick up some or all of the cost.
Changed and prettied up a bit to go to The Townehouse. Gave Anne H., the activities director, the newsletter copies, plus a program from when I had my "students" perform after "graduating" from the acting class. She was pleased, then asked if I'd like to see the room on the seventh floor where the show would be. Sure and we went up. It's a large room, big enough for two pianos, which were facing each other, and almost entirely glass from floor to ceiling; the view is spectacular.
After, I attended the wine and music thing. Chatted with some residents and enjoyed the wine and cheese. After, one of the women I had talked to, asked if I'd like to see her apartment,also on the seventh floor. Sure thing, and I accompanied her up on the elevator.
We exchanged names--hers is Betty--and filled each other in. She comes from Connecticut and has Parkinson's (I noticed she uses a walker), but she really doesn't seem very restricted. She has two children and several grandchild, an ordinary family, but her birth family is anything but: She told me she has twelve sisters and four brother--yoicks!
Her apartment, which is actually two studios she had modified with doors between, is just lovely. It's nicely decorated and quite spacious, with two bathrooms and a wonderful deck that stretches all the way across both rooms. I happen to know apartments on the sixth and seventh floors carry an extra charge (besides the basic one for the living space) of four hundred a month, so this must cost a bundle.
Got a call from Jeanne Dollard P. in the evening. I always have to ask where she is--now, it's Lake George, which she and John alternate with Florida and her apartment in Jersey. She also spends time at one of her daughters in Connecticut. Irrepressible Jeanne is much older than I am (ha!), having turned eighty in May, but is fit, healthy, and attractive. She calls every few months or so; says she likes NY, but it's getting a little boring.

Gray Law and the Rent

Went to the program at SCAN conducted by a "gray law" attorney. The session was very informative and the speaker really good. Topics covered included advance directives, wills, and so on, as well as touching on elder abuse and so on. I liked this guy and am thinking about calling him for a consultation.
Called Amanda, my hair stylist (that sounds so grandiose!) to see if she could fit me in either yesterday or today. My hair looked terrible--the color growing out and it was getting shaggy. I was able to get a 3:30 appointment for the hair. She did a pretty good job, although I probably should have had a little more taken off, but it is, of course, a great improvement.
I'm planning to go to the wine and cheese soiree at The Townehouse today. Will stop at the Ventura Adult Center first to get a few copies of the August Silver Tsunami to give Anne H., the activities director at The Townehouse. I was pleased that she had suggested my acting class give a performance at the facility; hope that works out.
Along with the other residents of Colony Parc, I got a notice to the effect that all units would be equipped with washers and dryers. Went to the office with two questions: 1. Where would they be installed in this miniscule apartment and 2. Would there be a rise in rent? Answers: 1. In the second closet on the patio and 2. Oh, pul-lease! Could that be anything but a dumb head query? Of course the rent will go up! By how much? The manager wasn't exactly sure yet, but, she said, figure between seventy and one twenty a month.
Okay, that was easy. I'll be moving to Ventura Del Sol in September.

Picnic and Pool

A good, varied day. Met Sue at the BCCC picnic at Oxnard State Park. Boy, what a beautiful place that is: A very large (acres) swath of greenery, the usual palm trees and other foliage, broad walks and gentle hills sloping down to a wide beach and the lovely Pacific. The food was catered and very good: skewers of grilled vegetable chunks, potato salad, green beans with a bacon dressing, chicken, and delicious roast beef, along with iced tea, lemonade, and cookies.
After we ate, Sue and I walked down to the water, a fair distance, and back, then chatted for a bit. Actually, she delivered a dissertation on seagulls and I mostly listened. She also showed me a letter she had written to the CEO of Community Memorial Hospital, where the cardiologist had kept her waiting for hours. He then let her know how important he was compared to her. I thought the letter was well done, straightforward and not emotional.
We left about 3:00 and I went to the library in town. When I got home, I impulsively changed into my swimsuit and went the short distance to the front pool. It was just delightful and I met a visiting woman from Indiana and her daughter and had a nice conversation. Got a little chilly after an hour or so, so I switched to the hot tub. That made my knee, which has been sore, feel wonderful.
Went home to shower and change. Got a call from Betty, who's back in Jersey. All through the day and up to now, I'm delighted I've had no recurrence of stomach pain--or any other discomfort, for that matter.

Doc, Chicken, and Tummy

My west coast medical advisor,* Ellen, met me at the doctor's at 9:45, but we weren't called for some time; Dr. J. did apologize for the wait. After a fair amount of explanation and discussion, she said I should see Dr. Chondta, the colon guy. El thinks I didn't continue to take the medication (like Prilosec) after the first month. I honestly don't remember if I did, but nevertheless, Dr. J. said to resume it, also to take the vitamin D, as my levels are low. In my defense, the reason I stopped the D was because the colon doc said my blood work was fine, but okay, okay, I'll resume it. Speaking of that, Dr. J. wants me to get bloodwork in October and see her in November.
El and I then went directly to CVS to pick up the ulcer stuff and she advised me to take it when I got home, although it's supposed to be taken in the morning. Okay, I did that. Had salad for lunch, then the rest of the cooked pork loin and yes, my stomach hurt a bit later, but Tums took care of it. I saw that you're not supposed to take more than 10 Tums per day, so I won't.
After that, I ran errands: to the post office to send off darling great-grandson Tristan's birthday card and present; to Quest to make an appointment for October (and fasting, drat it!); to Kohl's to take back one pocketbook and buy another.
Called my friend, Sailboat Sue, to see if she was still going to the BCCC picnic today. She'll try,but she's had some medical problems and wasn't sure if she would make it. She gets a stress test on Thursday afternoon, but before that, we're both going to attend a SCAN session called "Life." That's quite a euphemism, as it concerns assisted suicide issues.
I had been defrosting a whole chicken in the refrig and now oiled and seasoned it and popped it in the oven. I knew it would take close to two hours to cook and, although I don't usually do this, I went out to the store while it was in. Had some for dinner--very yummy and I'll probably be eating it for days.
AND--un-friggin'-believable: My stomach gave me no problem at all last night! And that was after I snacked on fruit, cheese crackers, peanuts, and raisins. I slept better than I have been lately, too. Darned if Ellen's nagging about taking the stuff didn't turn out to be right!
*Jersey Medical Advisor also reads this blog. It's nice neither one sends me a bill--uh-oh, hope I didn't give them ideas.

My Innards

Stomach acted up a bit some time after (truncated, as before) breakfast, but I corralled it with Tums. I started writing down when and what I eat and when--or if--my stomach ache comes back. Maybe that would help the doctor today.
Went to Sears at the mall and took back the tops I had bought the other day--they were a little tight and I didn't like them that much, anyway. Stopped at Target to look at pocketbooks, but I didn't see anything I like better than the one from Kohl's, so thought I'd keep that. Changed my mind later--I think it's too small--so will return and look for another.
Had pork loin from the other night and half an acorn squash for lunch. Recorded that with the time--1:00--and by 5:00, hadn't had any problem with my innards.
Did wash. Funny--it's now seeming perfectly natural and normal to have to put the hamper (it's net) in the cart and pull it to the laundry place, load a washer, then go back to dry, and again to fold and retrieve. It no longer seems much of a chore, which is just as well.
Had shrimp and the other half of the acorn squash for dinner. Later, during my hour of T.V., I had diet soda and a bowl of fruit, then went to bed at 9:30. Woke up with stomach ache two hours later, but took Tums, then slept well.

Pleasant Day

After a rocky start, it turned out to be a very pleasant day. Having hardly slept, then developing another stomach ache, I wasn't even sure I wanted to meet El. I did feel a bit better, but not entirely, after coffee and just a kind of half breakfast--one slice of toast with cottage cheese.
Enjoyed a return call from my friend and had a good talk. They were in Pennsylvania and will hit southern Jersey today. When I asked how many states they've visited so far, the total was eleven--and counting. They're going to be heading back to New Mexico taking the southern route, so that will add more to their itinerary.
Went to El's as planned, but we decided to skip the harbor, which was probably jammed packed, in favor of Hill Street Cafe and its gratis mimosas. I had a crustless quiche and incredibly, after half of that and a mimosa with two refills (these are extremely slender glasses that probably hold no more than three ounces), my tummy felt fine.
After, we decided against swimming, although it was very hot (for here). El suggested we get a movie and we did, the Sally Field one called Hello, My Name is Doris. It was anything but profound, but cute and we enjoyed it.
When the movie was over, El started quizzing me on my stomach problem. She thinks it's a return of the ulcer, but I think it's diverticulosis. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and we'll discuss with the doc; El said she'd go with me, which is a good idea.
I had no gastric problems until I got home, about 5:30, then the same ache developed. It seems to originate in my middle, then travels to my right breast. Tums seem to help for a time and I did sleep fairly well.