Say Hello to My Little Friend

Except for one or two or three little hiccups, the week has been peaceful around here at the senior complex.

One hiccup being hearing sky rockets, cherry bombs, roman candles, and I don’t know what else, going off all day … every single day.

Because we’re in the hot zone, fireworks are illegal, but that’s not stopping whoever.

Attached to the July Calendar was a note ... "If you are aware of someone selling or using illegal fireworks, please call the police department."

A lot of good that’ll do. Besides, though it sounds like the fireworks are going off here, right under our feet, we can’t pinpoint where coming from.

Hopefully, we can get through the 4th without a blaze.

Another hiccup was the resident who decided to begin laundry at 11 p.m. Wednesday night, just as I was falling asleep.

Sounds coming from the laundry room had me tossing/turning. I did, however, fall asleep ... eventually, only to be periodically awakened by the sound of water gushing into the washer, items rolling around in the dryer, until 3:00 am! That's a lot of laundry.

It's only after hours, when we can hear the doors of washers/dryers being opened closed and the other sounds, because sounds are amplified by the quiet at night.

Last hiccup was the resident who decided to do laundry at 4:00 this morning.

Try as I might, I could not fall back asleep, so I got up and started my day early ... very tempted to get dressed, put on makeup, go downstairs, snap of photo of the culprit and turn him/her into the office. Makeup because, of course, I wasn't going to be seen not totally put together.

It may eventually come to my taking the initiative, because I’ve had about enough of the rule breakers. I think, however, others in this building have already complained because, also attached to the July Calendar, was a notice reiterating that “Laundry hours are from 7 am to 10 pm ... Respect Your Neighbors”.

Either the rule breakers can’t read or, I know it's hard to believe, but there are people in this world that just don’t care about disturbing or inconveniencing others.

So, other than those hiccups, it’s been smooth sailing.

Still no sign of The Seer or Shadow, but I spotted the other Nancy, the one who’s not dead, pushing her walker away from the area where Shadow lives.

Not dead Nancy being on a walker is new. Younger and healthy looking, she all of a sudden came up with balance problems. But that’s what happens when residents sit all day, never walk any further than from their unit to the Community Room.

It’s also happened with one of the guys who regularly attends events. A big friendly guy, also healthy looking, no activity other than walking to the Community Room, driving to the Casino. I see he’s now using a cane.

As I watch neighbors deteriorate, I'm so happy to have gotten off the couch shortly after moving here in 2012, observing neighbors deteriorating even then, seeing signs of my own body deteriorating, saying to myself, "I'm not going out that way",  forcing myself off the couch, started walking, graduated into doing 5Ks. Happier still to have been led to Trainer, who’s helping me build on strength, stamina and balance.

The July calendar only shows one event — a 4th of July Potluck but, inasmuch as the 4th is a staff holiday, Activity Director is hosting the event on Tuesday the 2nd.

There’s no such thing as a holiday in the Pain Cave. Trainer’s client list is such that he appears to never take a day off, so I expect I’ll be working out on Thursday the 4th per usual.

No big deal, since I can’t eat hotdogs and potato salad anyway.

So though I haven’t been spending any time with the seniors, don’t know when I’ll be able to, I was passing the Community Room after Thursday’s workout, and saw my little friend was here to play Bingo with her great grandma.

Other than stopping in to give my little friend a hug, that’s the closest I’ve been to socializing with the seniors since Apache’s party.

The Baker's Great Granddaughter and My favorite young person

Her great grandma took the photo. Great grandpa designed the frame.