Day by Day

  Today was busy, but I got a lot of stuff done, including exercises, a walk, shopping with Jessi and Jessi helping us set up our mailbox, computer program for my heart function, and finding some applications on our New TV.     It was fun shopping with Jessi.     She’s so organized!     Tonight, we hope to see something on tv and rest a bit.     Tomorrow, we must be up and ready by 9 am for my appointment with Dr. Karishev and then I have my zoom interview with Dr. Murad.     It will be another busy day.

  Yesterday we went to Wesley’s house for his birthday celebration.     We had food from Cactus Taqueria and cupcakes and fruit for dessert.     Wesley was thrilled with his presents and his night.     It was just us and Victor, Maggie and Jude, but on Saturday he’s going with two friends to Legoland.     Today we were up early with the Orkin man ringing our doorbell at 7 am.     We will see if he solves the rat problem.     Then we did exercises, and I walked up the next street with Carol and Marianne to our Spanish Class.     The teacher is terrific.     She was well organized, and we had fun.     Bill ordered the Spanish book for me so I can practice.       after lunch he took me to Mrs.     Dalloway’s to buy books.       Shortly we will tackle dinner and will watch a movie.  

  Today Wesley got two kittens.     They are brothers.     One is black and the other is black and white.     He must be completely thrilled.     Tomorrow is his birthday, so this is just what he wanted.     He must be delighted.     I feel like now we need to get a dog, so he can grow up with the cats.     Today we took our time, but did exercises, took our walk, and did stuff in between like read.  I am hoping I get back on track for my meals. Yesterday was awful.

  We had a fabulous time with Nate, Jess and Auggie.     Today we packed them up, sent their gifts, visited Jessi, Scott, Wesley and Lewis, then went to the shops and got some cards and stuff, then brought home lunch for all of us.     Then I read books to Auggie, and they were off.     What a sweet visit.     I think everyone had a great time.     Now we are exhausted but happy.    

  Yesterday was a great Thanksgiving.     We all had a lovely time at Jessi’s house, and none of the food was on me.     I could just enjoy myself.     I tried to make popovers, and they turned out badly, but the kids all ate them anyway, so it didn’t matter.     We checked in with Riyad in South Carolina and Ofelia and John in Portland, as well as our friends and neighbors by messaging.     We had the most fabulous desserts, between Jessi’s Cream Cheese Bunt Cake and fruits, berries, hipped cream and chocolate cookies from Maggie and Victor.     When we got home, we were happy and delighted with the whole day. Today we went to the Oakland Zoo, and spent four hours there, culminating in a train ride for anyone.  It looks like we will have leftovers for dinner tonight.  

  The kids are here, and we are having fun.     All three kids are sick = Augie and Lewis have coughs, but now Jessi lost her voice and is not good either.     Everyone is trying to take a nap right now, and then get together later.     I am going to lie down for a while, while I can.   Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we will have our dinner at 4.     Hopefully, we can do something in the morning to get the kids out. Riyad, Nora and Nikolaj got to the island okay.  I’m happy for them.  I don’t know how we will all do ourselves, but one day at a time.  Next week I have my GP and the following week see my Diabetes guy.  I don’t even care.  One day at a time.

  Today was a mess, as we had to get up early and not have breakfast and wait until my Labs were done at Labcorp before we could eat.     We did return home and ate our breakfast, but it was strange, and then we followed Jessi to a Moraga Park for the boys to wander around.     They had fun.     Then we went home for lunch.       Jessi put Lewis down for a nap then she and I went to Berkeley Bowl to get a bunch of stuff for Thanksgiving.     Bill stayed with the boys, so we could go without them.     It was difficult and yet amazing how the store was full but people, but they were courteous, and we did get out of there with everything we needed.     Then we returned home and Lewis and just awakened, so he had a long nap.     Bill watched a couple of shows with Wesley.     Then we went home, and I rested for a while and then I got a long overdue shower because I felt terrible.   ...

  Yesterday I didn’t write, but I am feeling better after Nate, Jess and Auggie came by yesterday, and because we spent three hours with Jessi, helping with Lewis and taking him on a walk.     Today I went to my women’s group, and we sat outside and expressed ourselves for a couple of hours.     I walked there and back with my friend Anne.     She suggested we do something this month and I suggested the place by Costco that has patterns and quilts.     I’d like to see it.     I should do more with her than I do.     Then I had lunch and rested, and then swept leaves for the trash collection tomorrow.     We will watch a movie tonight, then at seven tomorrow I must do my tests for Dr. Murad, who takes care of my diabetes.     I hope it all goes well.

  Today I felt better, because I walked with Deb, and we had a great time filling each other in about what had happened this week.     Deb had been in quarantine because a friend of a friend had tested positive for covid, so she could not babysit her granddaughter and had wait for five days.     It really upset her, but she didn’t get covid and neither did George.     But this covid business is awful.     She’s looking forward to seeing Michael next week and very happy about Thanksgiving.     Me, too.     I’m ready for some grandma time.

  Today was crazy, but we did a lot.     We went to Trader Joe’s for food, then walked, then went to Tutu’s for lunch.     Then I was in the studio for an hour and a half, and then Bill went out for his therapy, and I did other stuff.     Then we packed up to go to Jessi’s house for dinner, which as usual was delicious.     The kids were pretty good, but after dinner she took them up for their bath.     This week Scott must go in every single day, so it’s all on her to take care of them.     She does a great job.     I was glad to leave, because at the end the kids get too tired.     But they are sweet.

  Today I walked with my friend Carol, and we stopped along the way for a restroom at Trader Joe’s, then we walked back (3.1) miles.     Then I made my lunch and talked to my dear friend Amy in Illinois.     She keeps up with me quite well.     Then I read in the studio and then attempted to get gluten-free stuff at Safeway, but it wasn’t there.     Jessi said we could get it at Berkeley Bowl on Monday.     So, I put the potatoes in and set up for dinner, then went back to the studio. Now I’m inside for dinner and a movie.     It was a crazy day, in which I didn’t accomplish much, but anyway I tried.     Tomorrow, we go to Jessi’s for dinner.     That will be nice.

  Today my husband and I took the car into the repair shop.     It might not be ready for a couple of weeks.     We walked back, all uphill.     Then Jessi took us to the container store, and we had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.     Then we came home, and I’ve been finishing my book, which I just did.     Now I’m going to attempt to get the yellow off my face and not do that again.     I look ridiculous. I didn’t quite realize how permanent the yellow was.       Tonight, Bill has his Music class and I hope I can watch a movie while he does that.

  Today I walked with Bill at a part of the reservoir in Moraga, as well as doing my Exercises.     Then I ate, then had lunch, then Sandy came, and we walked for a while then sat in my studio for a few minutes.     I had fun.     Then Bill and I played Scrabble, I lost, and then we Facetimed with Poor Nikolaj, who has a stomach flu.     He was very sick yesterday, but they gave him the Flu medicine, and he's getting better quickly.     We talked with them for a while, then made dinner and we watched a movie.     “Murder Mystery” was the name, with Jenifer Anniston and Adam Sandler.     It was terrible.     Oh, well.     Win some and lose some.

  Today I walked with Marianne at 9:30. We had a good walk and then sat on a bench and talked about our lives.     Her daughter Vivian is expecting a baby boy, and she thrilled about that.     I wonder if she will be more available to Marianne after the baby comes.     That often happens.     I had Ophelia in Morocco for over a year, and then after five months with us they moved to Portland.     So, I’ve seen her frequently since then.     You never know.     After the walk I rested, ate lunch and then went to the studio and read and rested until now.     We’re going to have dinner and watch a movie tonight, nothing new.     But it is a good life.

  I had fun with Sandy today after I had my facetime with my nutritionist, and we had lunch and then went to Orchard Nursery, and I got stuff for the little grandkids and also a couple of things for myself.     It was exciting to find Christmas stuff to buy, even if I didn’t need it.     Then Sandy stopped at two places in Orinda, and then we came home.     It’s fun to do stuff that feels Normal.     Maybe it isn’t but it is as close as it’s going to get for now.     Tomorrow, I take a walk with Marianne at 9:30, and that will feel lovely as well.    

  Today I had a terrific time with Carol.     We drove across town to Solano and went to Toy Go Round to look for Christmas presents.     I found a bunch of almost new toys for the grandkids, and Carol found stuff for her Grandson, who is 6 months old.     Then we went to a restaurant and used the bathrooms, then took a slow walk down a few blocks to see the sights.     We saw lots of interesting houses and looked at the way the houses were so different from each other.     Then she took me home and Bill and I had lunch then I went to the studio to read.     Sharon called me, so we talked for a while then she had to go, then my grandson Nikolaj called, and he showed me how to do a puzzle, but we couldn’t figure out how to start.     I took it inside the house for Bill to look, but he had to do an appointment for an hour, so I hung up and promised Nikolaj I’d get back to him on the weekend.     I’m doing...

  Today was crazy.     Deb and I walked in the morning, but by the time we returned we had to change all our clothes.     There was a ton of rain, and we shared my umbrella, but it was inadequate, to say the least.     When I returned, I redressed myself and had lunch and then went to my studio to read.     I am reading a book Deb asked me to buy, when we were shopping this morning.     “The Marriage Portrait”, by Maggie O’Farrell.     Deb chose it for her next writing group.     It is amazing.     And I think anyone would like it.     I am now writing my blog and I am looking forward to dinner and a movie.     Bill and I are still having trouble relating, but anyway, these things happen.     He is completely stressed this week and not handling his anxiety well.     I hope this eases up soon.

  I’m trying to save my blog today which involves a long walk, exercising and going out to lunch, which was lovely.     Jessi came over this afternoon and we went over all the dates and stuff we need for getting through Thanksgiving.     It took a while, but we are pretty set.     I just must get online for my date at the de Young for the Faith Ringgold exhibit.     I hope that works out for all of us.     What a world of Trouble we get ourselves in.     Now this goes not include the state of our country for tomorrow’s election.     I can’t even bear to consider that prospect.

  Today was busy, with me doing exercises, then doing meditation then the Dharma talk, then Bill and I walking then coming back here for lunch.     I then finished my book, and now am blogging.      We didn’t see anyone else today.     I wonder if we will see somebody tomorrow.     I will try to see if Deb can do Tuesday morning, and I’m seeing Sandy Thursday for lunch, and perhaps I’ll see Marianne.     It’s been a long weekend without other people around.     But that is the way it goes.     I have just enough interaction with people, but now that the in-laws have been here for ten days, I haven’t seen Wesley and Lewis, and I miss them.    

  Yesterday I didn’t write, because I went to Barbara’s, and Bill went to the cabin to close it up.     I had a great time with Barbara.     She had tuna sandwiches, a pickle, pumpkin pancakes and a fruity melon, blueberry, yogurt dessert with nuts and granola.     We really had a lovely visit, and then when Jessi took me home, she told me she had a doctor appointment with Wesley.     It turned out he had burst his eardrum and needed antibiotics.     I felt awful for him.     Bill and I had dinner and watched the last episode of ‘the Crown’ and then the whole movie “Jungle Cruise”.     It was silly, but fun.     Bill really wanted me to sleep in today, but I worried about the Orkin guy, who was going to come.     So, I got up and went downstairs.     Now we’re waiting for another Orkin man to tell us if we have termites.     I sure hope not.     Otherwise, we’ll s...

  I went on a long walk with Sue this morning and learned a lot about our neighbors.     Then we went to Trader Joe’s and then put the groceries away and had lunch.     I rested in the afternoon and then Bill and I played Scrabble.     He beat me by 4 points.     Then we made a dinner of burgers and hash browns and salad and watched “Monty Python”.     Tomorrow, I go to Barbara’s for lunch and Bill is going to the cabin to lock up.

  Today my friend Carol and I met at 9:30 at her house and then walked to the Berkeley campus and back.     We stopped nearby and had tea, then walked to College and I bought 3 books, actually Carol bought one of them for me for my birthday, then we also stopped at a skin cream shop and I got a sunscreen and two syrups.     Then I stopped by her house to use the bathroom and then walked home.     I was proud of myself.     Then Bill and I had lunch.     I went to the studio for two hours, then Bill switched with me so he could have his therapy appointment.     Now I’m doing my blog, and Carol is bringing over a half chicken for us for dinner.     She wanted to do it, and I’m thrilled.       She wants to help us out and I’m grateful she is willing.

  Last night was great, with us following Wesley and Lewis around and seeing other kids, as well as Maggie and her son Jude, Scott and Jessi and Melani and Brian.     Today it rained all morning and this afternoon I asked Deb if I could go to her house and have tea, so that’s what we did.     Then the sky cleared, and we took a walk together, and she just dropped me back home and picked up Bill to take him to pick up the Rav4 car, which was being serviced.     Now we can just be home for the rest of the day.     My numbers are still higher but not as high.     I’m having trouble either going down on the sotalol or something, but it’s better.     Much better.