SUNDAY, A SHOW AND A DRIP

Showered and washed my hair, then changed the bed and re-made. Wasn't hungry for a full breakfast, so just had a half-grapefruit, then  dressed, and went out front to wait for Rosa. She picked me up, as scheduled, at 11:45, and off we went to Santa Paula, We first stopped for lunch at Rabelais Bistro;  I hadn't been there before and oh, boy, was it good. I had a Monte Cristo sandwich, which included ham, a kind of sweet sauce with apples in it, and a few other things. The place was packed, as it was just about noon and Santa Paula gets a lot of visitors on weekends. Anyway, we managed to sit talking for two hours, then walked the two blocks to the theatre. 

As soon as I walked in, I was I was enveloped with a hug from Anthony C., my colleague at Fractured Actors. This was the final show and I was pleased to see an almost full house. The show itself was enthralling. I had thought it concerned a "son" of Mexican descent, but he was bi-racial, with a black mother and white father; he, Jamal, is the focus of the play, but never appears. The play was superb, the acting ever more so, and at the end, I was awash in tears. What drama can do to the human heart and mind is both thrilling and scary. Here's the program: 
                                                

Driving home, Rosa and I agreed we'll get together again soon. Got in about 5:00 and I immediately changed out of my dressier clothes and into shorts and a tee. I made myself dinner: fresh salmon and broccoli, ate, ran the garbage disposal to clear the scraps, but AAGH! I have double sinks and neither drained--it was about a cup of standing water in each. I looked under and yes, the pipe was dripping, so I figured it had clogged. Called the emergency number, but then realized the water would stop once the sinks were cleared, so I called back to tell them to come today. 

I had a terribly restless night--got up several times and now, I guess I should stay up until the maintenance guy comes. Damn, it's one thing after another, but at least, I don't have anything scheduled for today.

SATURDAY

I got a few long-neglected chores done: Was able to put back some of the items Ellen and I had moved off the tables, but I still have to replace others. I've just about decided I'm not going to cancel the check I gave the carpet cleaning guy. I feel so victimized, but think it's better for my emotional health to just move on. What really infuriates me is that I gave the guy a ten dollar tip. And hey, he told me to make it out to "YARA Home Services, which I did, but I saw no such listing on line. Oh, stop, Mimi, just drop it!

On the way over to Von's I ran into Suzanne. She had been up in Burlingame with the other sisters to celebrate the birthday of the Virgin Mary, which is actually observed on September 8. It's funny that I was born and brought up a Catholic, but don't remember observing that as a kid. Anyway, Suzanne will be leaving again on Monday, as her brother-in-law, who suffered with Alzheimer's, has died and she'll attend the funeral.  

Stocked up on this and that at Von's, including some nice wild-caught salmon; forgot eggs. Went from there to CVS for my medication, Ale-something, that I take once a week for my osteoporosis. I then sat down and visited Windsor, Frogmore, and other castles as, for some reason, I've gotten interested in the royals and U.K. history.  I'll get over it.

I slept well, I'm glad to say, even though I took a short nap. Tomorrow: American Son with Rosa at the Santa Paula Playhouse. 

FRIDAY

Finally and at long last, the carpets got cleaned. I'm not stark raving mad about the result but it's adequate, I guess. This apartment complex is about twenty-five (thirty?) years old and the carpeting is beige, so it shows every spot. I had told the guy I didn't want the sofa or the bed moved, but I expected him to move other items. He didn't, except for the rocking chair in the living room and I decided not to make an issue of it. It certainly looks better than it did and I'll live with it. Made my lunch and ate it, as usually, in the middle. 

Noreen called and we talked about the memorial yesterday for her longtime friend, Cecilia. I was startled to hear that the late friend's son and daughter-in-law are going to move in with Noreen. Considering they didn't discuss it at all--about rent (are they going to rent or is it gratis?), how long they'll stay (a month? a year? until they join Cecelia?), and so on. In addition, they have two cats and Noreen's two large dogs have never been exposed to cats, so how will that turn out?  I didn't express any reservations, though, and I'm sure Noreen will keep me informed. We made a date for lunch on Tuesday and I'll be happy to see her.

Speaking of cats, Ellen called and I was so happy to hear that my grandkitties, Gwennie and Cessy, are loving the new screened-in side porch. Chris, the contractor, is almost finished the work--can't wait to see it. We decided she'd come over on Wednesday to help put things pack after the not-very-satisfactory carpet cleaning, but I should have looked at my calendar first; as it's the first Wednesday, so I'm booked for Soaring Spirits lunch. (Oh, I know that's a run-on sentence, Sister Gabriel!)

THURSDAY AND LOSS

The less said about yesterday the better, so I'm not going to go into detail. The worst part was the loss of my dear cousin, Sally, whose ninetieth birthday I had attended in January (see this blog entry of January 22, 2025).  Along with a tribute, here's what her daughter posted on Facebook yesterday: 

I called her son, Duane, and he told me Sally had been diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer three months ago and was in hospice, then stopped eating and just slipped away. I called niece Carolyn to tell her and, when Ellen came over, informed her, too, of course.  

Not a tragedy, but major annoyance: The carpet cleaners, a different company, but somehow connected

again didn't show. We made a new appointment for today between 10 and 11. 

Darling Daughter Ellen came over to pursue the credit errors and talk with the carpet people I fervently hope it's now over. It's just incredible that this could this could happen, considering my highest "exceptional" rating for years. That took most of the afternoon and I'm far from satisfied it's over. 

I skipped breakfast and lunch and just took a pizza out of the freezer and had some about 5:00. Sleep was again, sporadic, but I feel reasonably refreshed when I got up at my usual 7:00.

Tomorrow, lunch and American Son at the Santa Paula Theatre with Rosa. That should at least get my mind off  all the crapola above, but not my sorrow about Sally. That will ease, but never go away. Here's Sal at her birthday party in January. Acting silly with her is Ani, Duane's lady friend, and Ani's Dad. 

So long, Sal. 

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

WEDNESDAY AND BCNN

For breakfast, I reverted back to my old Weight Watchers routine: two slices of whole wheat toast with cottage cheese, a half grapefruit, and of course, coffee.  Washed the sheets, remade the bed, then did a color wash. I then started hunting down a carpet cleaner and found David; he'll be here today between 12 and 2:00--that is, I fervently hope he'll be here after the last one didn't show up. 

Showered, washed my hair and dressed, preparing for dinner with the BCNN group at Prime Rib. Julie picked me up at 5:45, along with Katherine, our new T.O.P.S. member. 

We had a great time, thanks to the company, but not the amenities: For one thing, the floors, walls, and chairs are black. That's okay in daylight, but when we left, it was dark and it was hard to navigate. For another, we were seated at one long table and it was a little crowded. Worse, the cuisine--mine, anyway--was anything but gourmet. I ordered pasta something with chicken and could eat only the pasta: The chicken part was a flat, breaded patty on top and was so tough I could cut off only a few bites. Ordinarily, I would have sent it back to the kitchen, but it was getting late and I just didn't. To top it off, the restaurant would not agree to separate checks (which we knew ahead) and it took an age to settle.

Notwithstanding (geez, where did that word come from?) ,we still had a ball. The chatter was all over the map, of course, but luckily, I didn't hear any political crapola. Several of the members had attended "Backstage Bedlam" and mentioned it with compliments, which was nice. I sat next to Katherine and we got better acquainted--I hope to see more of her. Pure as the driven snow, she doesn't drink--says she gets blotto with barely a sip, so sticks to water. Happily, I don't and had a Topa Topa beer. Hey, that's another strike against Prime Rib--they didn't have any hazy IPA! 

On the way home, Julie mentioned reservations for the Christmas party on December 3. She isn't able to go, but Katherine said she'll pick me up; so nice of her and I must remember to send my check to Joan.

Home at 8:00 or so. Watched T.V.--something on royal palaces in the U.K.--before I turned in. Had my usual problem sleeping through, but feel good this morning. 

TUESDAY--AND I WAS FIT TO BE TIED...

Ha, that was one of my mother's sayings (she had one for every occasion.)  Why was I so annoyed?  Well, I was all ready for the carpet cleaners who were scheduled to come at 1:00 pm. I had packed a sandwich and IPA and had planned to eat out in the middle while the carpet dried.  Hmm...1:00 came and went and they didn't show. At 1:15, I called and told the guy who answered they were late. He kind of sputtered and bumbled, while saying something like "I told them...they should be there...I'll call them..." and so on. I told him to call me back.

He didn't. By 4:00, I had left four more messages on the answering machine and never heard back. In the meantime, I ate lunch, then lay down on the couch and napped for an hour. No show then, either. I called the office, thinking there was some connection. There isn't, although somebody in the office had given me the name--Green Carpet Co.--several months ago, when I first made the appointment. Called Ellen, who was going to come tomorrow to help me put things back again; we cancelled and told her I'd keep her informed. 

I called brother, Larry, and we chatted for a bit. As ever, he and a number of his huge family are planning an excursion, this time to Sarasota for the circus museum. He said our niece, Chrissy, called and will be visiting in Florida soon.  Here's Larry with one of his multitude of great-grandchildren, Emilia: 

Stella called to ask if I wanted to go to Camarillo to some kind of music festival today. However, I'm going with Julie to the BCNN dinner gathering.  That's just as well, as I'm a little nervous about her driving all the way to Camarillo.   

Unfortunately, sleep was double plus ungood,* After one all night slumber, I reverted back to my recent  wakefulness. I'm going to try my best to resist napping today and, hopefully, that will do the trick.

* A hint as to source of that phrase:

MUNDANE MONDAY

 Nothing very exciting going on. I cleared up a little, but didn't get very far in putting things aside to donate. I think I'll be able to do that better after the carpets are done and I'm putting things away. At least, I was able to consolidate a little. 

Took my saved newspapers up the walk to Vickie's and she texted me her thanks. Made lunch and took it to the middle to eat. It was pleasantly warm and the breeze was not as annoyingly active. It was very quiet as I opened my book and re-visited the Clintons; they were back in the governor's mansion and following their usual extra-marital habits--he was, anyway. I felt relaxed and in my good place: 

Took my afternoon nap, then puttered around a bit. Sharon called to report on her colonoscopy; it turned out to be much better than she had thought it would, as she was anesthetized after all. 

The best news (so important 😊!) is that I slept through the night and got up at my preferred 7:00. I'm hoping to get back my former sleep routine and will take steps to do that.