SATURDAY

Slept well and got up at 6:15. Brekkie with Keith and Mary, then went outside and called brother Larry to wish him happy birthday. He was pleased to receive them, although his birthday is actually in June; we laughed over that. During our long talk, he told me about all the doings in which his huge family is involved , such as moving to another country, divorce, internal arguments, and so on. One of his four daughters is going to move in with him shortly.

Lunch with the regulars, including Cheryl, who has an extensive collection of fun tops; love this one: 

The menu listed "pitt ham" and I asked Caitlin, our server, if that meant if was was Pittsburgh. She asked Chef Michael, but he didn't know. I ordered it and it was actually pretty good.

Lunch with the usuals, then Ellen came at 1:00. She fixed up my printer, then we went to the exercise room to ride the exercise gliders. After that, it was off to do my errands: CVS, the Dollar Tree, and Home Goods; there, we were a mused to find this hand towel trio:

Ha, ha--how did they know I were coming?

Our reward for all that running around was dinner at the Wood Ranch, which was jammed. I ordered their BBQ salad with chicken, which is huge and I took half home. We had a lot of stuff to carry up to my digs, did so, then said goodbye.

Mike facetimed at 7:00 and we discussed Vivian's graduation in May. Not sure yet about all the particulars yet.  I slept fairly well and got up feeling good. No plans for today, which is just as well, I guess. I've got a lot of mundane chores to do and keep putting them off. Story of my life, I'm afraid...

FRIDAY AND THE THIRD REICH

Weight report not good. I was up .02 at home to 135 and up .03 to 136.8 at T.O.P.S., but I guess it could have been worse. Mary Ann picked me up as usual at 8:00 and I got home at 10:15. so had no breakfast. Here's Sharon in her jazzy new shoes and outfit:

And here's our new member, Curleen, in an attractive caftan: 

Meeting went okay with the usual mumbo-jumbo about new beginnings, mindfulness, and resolutions to solve one diet problem a day, and blah, blah, blah. Actually, I shouldn't be sneering about it, but I get bored with the same old, same old, and one cliche after another. 

Lunch with Cheryl, Keith, and Mary. The trout, rice, and veggies tasted great because I was so hungry,  but of course, I skipped dessert. Took an hour nap and then felt good.

Went to the three o'clock Friday happy hour and it was terrific. Here are the entertainers: 

Elvis is back!

After happy hour, I sat outside on the phone with a friend; I like the layout of the campus with and the mountains of Ojai on the horizon: 

Ate dinner with Cheryl, Keith, and Mary and had some light conversation. Back upstairs at 6:00, did this and that, than watched Eva Braun and her boyfriend on T.V. :

THURSDAY AT THE PUB

                                                      

Ate with Kathie, Cheryl, and Mary and, along with the meal, I sangria cocktail and an English beer. It was good, but I ate too much. Took a long nap--not a good idea because it sometimes interferes with sleep,* but I felt good after. Tables were decorated:

                                      

Here are Elaine and Cheryl, dressed up as English ladies.

Bangers and mash and fish and chips were the entrees and I had the former, which were pretty good. I accompanied that with a sangria cocktail and English beer. I ate too much, so took a longish nap after--not a good idea, as it may interfere with my sleep.

Did some business stuff, then went to dinner with the regular crew: Kathie, Cheryl, Keith, Mary, and Dee.  We put chairs at the end of the table to fit six of us in and we hope to keep it that way. Had chicken salad on a croissant with potato salad, but was so full from lunch that I took half home.

Computer stuff, then T.V., then bed. T.O.P.S. today and I'm not sure I'm ready for it. 

* Boy, did I call it: Had a terrible sleep time and was restless half the night. 

WEDNESDAY AND GOOD NEWS

I had a terrible time sleeping--awoke at 4:00 am and couldn't get back. When I finally got out of bed at 6:15, I realized I had forgotten to take my sleep aid. Breakfast with Keith and had some interesting conversation. 

When I got back to my apartment, I tried cleaning up a few lingering duties, then quit. I was nervous about my ophthalmologist appointment--my major fear in life is blindness--and foolishly, I asked the Lyft driver to pick me up at 12:35, which meant skipping lunch. I sat down with Kathie, Cheryl, and Mary, but said goodbye shortly before I left to wait for the driver. Got to Miramar in plenty of time.

The (nurse, P.A..?--not sure), who seemed to be in her fifties or so, Andrea, took me in for the preliminaries and after we chatted for a bit, asked  if I was from the east coast. How did she know? The accent, of course, and she's from Long Island. We had a good talk--both had followed family members here--and at one point, I mentioned this blog and she said she'd like to read it. I told her the name and before I left, printed it on my card and left it for her.  The best news: Dr. Teel said the macular degeneration was stable and she didn't need to see me for six months--what a relief. 

Lyft got me home about 3:30 and I freshened up, then went down to the social hour. Had a glass of wine and enjoyed the entertainment, a sax player named Brandon Regen:

He was dynamite and two of our friskier residents couldn't resist the music and got up to dance:

After, I spent some time outside, just relaxing in the sun. Dinner with Lisa and David, then did something or other until bedtime; I barely made it to 9:00 pm and, happy day, slept all the way to 630 when the alarm went off. I think I'd rather have a solid night's sleep than a bucket of gold--but wait a minutes, let me think about that...

TUESDAY

Keith, Mary, and I had a lively discussion at breakfast about Satanic Trump, militarism, and the future of the country; we aren't optimistic. After that, I stripped the bed, washed in the laundry room, and re-made. Do-Lanni was due to clean in the afternoon and if I had left the clean sheets on the bed, she would have re-made it, but hell, I figure it's easy enough to do and good exercise.

After, I called Epson to order ink,* then sent out a few bills and things. I then walked next door to Primary Medicine and got a list of the meds I take to be sure I'm getting them all. I could have emailed them, but just decided to look at the office. After that, I sat outside enjoying the 71 degree weather and the gentle breeze.

I spent an hour or more digging into shelves and drawers trying to find the small glass containers with lids that somebody had put somewhere, and didn't find them. However, I rearranged some of the items in the cabinets and think the kitchen functions better.  

Ran into Mindy and she put on my walker the device that hold my cane. I'm very pleased that I don't have to balance it anymore; ran into director Tiffany and told her how much I appreciated it.  

Ate with Cheryl and Mary; later, Ray sat down with us. He has a PH.D in oceanography, but unfortunately, is now having memory problems, although not so bad he's ready for assisted living. BTW, he's been married four times.

Upstairs, I showered and got my p.j.s on, then settled down with the royal family. I guess the Brits don't mind supporting them and maybe they serve some kind of person.

Had a terrible time sleeping--I think I may have omitted my sleep aid--and have to go down to breakfast in an hour, then have an eye doctor appointment at 1:20. Darn. I'll take a nap before then.

* I ordered it twice and twice got notice it didn't go through--I may have used my old debit card. 

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MONDAY

 Breakfast with Keith, Diane, and Dee. Julie picked me up early, as she had to go to her boat in Ventura Harbor to drop off the bilge pump to the mechanic. Got to the Black Angus after that and joined about twenty other BCNN members for lunch. It took a long, long time for everybody to order, be served, and eat, but my hamburger was so good. The food at The Orchard is edible, but anything but gourmet. Generally, I had an enjoyable time, except for the BCNN founder, whose middle name must start with "O" for Obnoxious. As soon she saw me walking in with my cane, she started lecturing me. She told me I should go to Japan and see a certain therapist who's on T.V. Yeah, sure, and I'll visit my son and his family, too.  Other than that, it was fun, although we didn't get home until after 2:00. 

Took a nap--longer than I thought I would--and did this and that until dinner. Sat with Beverlee and Greg--I can't decide if I think he's interesting or an idiot--and ate only part of my meal (chicken salad) as I was still un-hungry from lunch.

Suzy called and, yes, she's interested in talking to Director of Celebrations, Mindy; Suzy loved the title--why call it "Activities Director?--but is in a show until March 8:

I'll convey this news to Mindy and give her a copy of the flyer.

However, it was enjoyable, although we didn't get home until after 2:00. Took a nap--longer than I thought I would, then sat with Beverlee and Greg for dinner. I can't decide if I think he's interesting or an idiot--and ate only part of my meal (chicken salad) as I was still un-hungry from lunch.

John S., Ani's friend, called and said he'd pick me up for the memorial service in San Diego. He asked me to let him know when I'd like to go and I think I'll go the day before and stay over. Not sure if I want to stay two days.

Slept okay and have nothing scheduled until the ophthalmologist tomorrow.

SUNDAY

Breakfast with Keith, then I went up and finally spent time on various paperwork, financial stuff, filing, and so on until lunchtime. Had that with Keith, Kathie, and Bee. I was amazed to find that Bee was  born in Linwood, N.J. and had lived there until she was three when the family moved to upstate Pennsylvania. She was one of nine children and went all through Catholic schools; she's still very RC.

Ani O'Leary, Duane's lady, texted me with this:                                                                                                                                  

She followed that with several texts, asking me to come and saying I was special to Duane and that she'd arrange everything if I would.  I've decided I would, although I'll have to take the walker and I'm a little apprehensive about that. 

Took a nap, continue what I think of as my business-type working,  then hung out until 4:45 when I went down to dinner.  Sat with Kathie, Keith, and Bee and we had a good, congenial time. Back upstairs by 6:00 and topped off this blog, then watched T.V. until bedtime. Not exactly an exciting day, but Julie's picking me up for the BCNN lunch at the Black Angus at 10:45 today, so that should be fun.