Tuesday, October 31, 2017

My lemon tree.

Lagoon Walk

This morning I got to the clubhouse by five to eight and the bus loaded about three people from our stop, and about four more from the other clubhouse.  We drove on the freeway to the Batiquitos Lagoon where we all got off to walk on a picturesque dirt path around the lagoon.  I walked with Karen again.  She is tall and has a good stride.  We passed a little museum describing some of the wild life around the lagoon.  We saw several white herons, and there can be seen, I am told,  a number of other birds; pelicans, terns and so forth.  Its a sanctuary and no boating or swimming is allowed on the lagoon.  It used to be sealed off from the ocean, and it got all smelly with debris and algae.  They flushed it out, and now the tides clean it regularly. It is a very beautiful path with lots of semi tropical vegetation, and the ever present eucalyptus trees.  It borders on a world class golf course.  Karen told me the golfers used to put out water and apples by their gate for the enthusiasts who use the path for exercise, but they don't do that any more. 

We walked about two miles, and just as we were turning around it started to rain.  I had not brought a sweater so my arms and back (and hat) got quite wet.  Back at La Costa Glen there was no sign of rain.  Just 3 miles inland makes all the difference, which is one of the reasons I chose to live here.

Tonight is the big Halloween costume contest and parade.  I will go and watch.  'Everyone' will be there!

Trev goes to have his injuries checked out today.  Hope its nothing serious.

Full report tomorrow.

Love to all,  Val

Monday, October 30, 2017

Blog is back on both laptop and desktop.  Finally figured out the right password.  

Today the Landscaping people are back at work, so I will try to get them to plant my little lemon tree.

Yesterday Andrew Mack came over and we wasted no time heading for the Sunday brunch.  It turns out that, unlike the regular meals, the brunch allows you to take food home in 'doggie bags' so some people had three or four bags of food!

Mack and I explored the campus after that, and even walked to the street on a nature trail that runs on the outside of the fence, a two mile public trail open to everyone.  It can be accessed through several gates along the La Costa property which  can be opened by my gate key.  My car has a sticker now that opens the main and back gates automatically.  I have a remote button to open the garage door from the car.

Last night I put my trash out in front of the garage, suitably sorted into trash, paper and metal/glass.  This morning it was gone.  Tonight I put my sheets and a bathmat out for the laundry to pick up tomorrow morning.  This Wednesday is not a cleaning day, but next Wednesday a lady comes to clean my whole place.
Thursday is another trash and recycle day.

I am getting pictures hung, tools and office stuff sorted, wires plugged in for recharging computers.  At 2:30 I will take a break and go to a lecture on science and medicine.  

Tomorrow I have been told I must attend the big Halloween gala when people come in elaborate costumes, starting at 7:00.  Before that they serve a feast with such items as "Howling Good Chicken Marsala and Zombie Stir Fry"!

I got a welcome call from a Lemonberry neighbor introducing himself and his wife.  He used to be the Mayor of Manhattan Beach.

Love to all,  Val

Sunday, October 29 2017

I realize I can write my blog on the laptop, but for some strange reason, not on my desktop!

Well, so be it.

Yesterday I did some picture hanging, but also went out in the car to Armstrong's nursery to buy a Myers lemon tree.  I even got it home, with other stuff, and lugged everything from the car to the back yard.  I need a dolly.   The tree will be planted Monday, but the other stuff, herbs and strawberries, I planted myself, mostly in pots, but some right in the ground.  I also got some paperwhites and put them in a decorative dish.  They will stay in a cool, dark place for one month, then hopefully they will start to bloom by December.  I also got narcissus, but they will be 'forced' later.

In the evening I went to the other clubhouse to Catalina Hall where a very good trio played dance music.  I was sitting by myself at a table, and a lady from the next table asked if I would like to sit with them.  I was even asked to dance by one of the husbands!  They are another group I would like to see more of.  Active, friendly and enjoying life.  About thirty people showed up, mostly couples, but some single women. No alcohol.  I left a bit early, and one woman asked if I knew how to walk back by myself.  I assured her I did, but it was nice of her to ask since she knew I was a newcomer.

Today Andrew Mack is coming for the Sunday Brunch.  He has been before, and thinks it is pretty good!  Don't have too much computer stuff for him to do yet, but I will.

I have been here more than two weeks! 

love to all,  Val

Friday, October 27, 2017

Today Matthew is 21 years old.  Today Maddox is 6 months old.  Congratulations to both!

This morning I walked over to the Apple store and attended a presentation about arranging photos, especially for La Costa residents.  It was well attended, with about 20 or so people, all computer savvy.  A group I will look forward to getting to know better.  They do this once a month.

After that I had a really fabulous rack of lamb for lunch with my neighbor Dorothy and her husband Milton.

Now I have to get to work, sorting etc.   I also have to call Armstrongs to get a Myers lemon tree now that my stump is gone.  The bigger the better.

Trevor fell, testing a rock climbing device, is a bit sore, but out in the Tesla getting more charge.  So I think he is all right.

Andrew Mack will be coming this weekend to hook up stuff and enjoy the brunch.  I think Trevor will come down next weekend.  A friend from Manhattan Beach is visiting Nov 12 for one night, and Ian and family will stop by Nov. 19th to 21st for a visit.  Fun!

In case you don't have it my address is :

2035 Lemonberry Lane
La Costa Glen, Carlsbad, CA 92009

My landline phone is:

(760) 704-6441  (let it ring 5 times to leave a message)

Cell phone is:

(310) 200-7251

Love to all,  Val

Thursday, October 26, 2017

 I missed yesterday, but will try to do a daily blog from now on.

Yesterday I took the shuttle to a shopping center and bought some stuff at Ralphs and Trader Joe's.  I had two cloth bags and a roll of bounty paper towels when I got on the bus.  The lady bus driver would absolutely not let me get on or off without help even though I had figured out how to juggle it all by myself.  One of the ladies on the bus, who had been in LCG 11 years, wisely pointed out that if I fell the bus driver would be responsible.  That made me realize I was being selfish by trying to be too independent in this facility!

I got a pleasant surprise in the afternoon.  A couple I know from King Harbor Yacht Club were staying here overnight to firm up their decision to move here next April.  I showed them my place, and it is exactly what they want.  I am not sure they will get it right away, but I was lucky.  These villas are in high demand.  As one of my neighbors said, "I like a front door and a back door".  I feel exactly the same way, as most of my childhood was spent in smelly apartment buildings, with noisy neighbors and the trash chute down the hall.  Of course the soundproofing is much better today, and La Costa halls do not smell, but the memories linger...

Another good surprise came when I learned that Ian, Daisy and gang are driving down from Seattle for a quick visit before Thanksgiving.

A friend from Manhattan Beach has also promised to come, and I have reserved a hotel room for her, which includes breakfast.  It is just around the corner from my villa.

Tomorrow I will go to the Apple Store to get a lesson on how to organize my photos.  If I just learn to delete some of them that will be worth it!

Wendy goes back to Paris today, so we can talk again.  The Canadian phone rates are so high we texted instead.  

Phone, email or text me.  I would love to hear from you.   Love,  Val

Tuesday October 24, 2017

I am substantially moved to La Costa Glen.  I have only a few pieces to bring from Manhattan Beach and they will fit in Trevor's car.

My villa looks fairly tidy, but there is lots still to do.  I have four visitors coming this morning at different times.  Some neighbors, the Marketing Department coordinator, and a HR lady who rides around the campus on a three wheeled bike and will show me round the Glenbrook Assisted Care facility.

I have remembered to push the "I am still alive" button every morning, otherwise they will come  looking for me.  The laundry bag with sheets to be washed is outside my door.  The cleaning crew come tomorrow.  The trash goes out Mondays and Thursdays.  Everyone says 'good morning' when you pass.  I have walked to two shopping centers.  I have the car in the garage.  There is a coffee meeting every morning in the coffee bar, where people gather to say hello and share news.  Everyone welcome.  There is a new residents mixer where I will meet other newbies on Nov 9.  I am invited to an Apple class by a resident who runs the computer classes on Friday.  I have TV, internet and a landline phone required by law for safety in an emergency.  My number is: 
(760)704-6441

My address is :
2035 Lemonberry Lane
La Costa Glen
Carlsbad, CA 92009

Come and visit me.  Love to all,  Val