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Post continued about evening of 9/25--the day I arrived in Fair Oaks...

After climbing into the bed the night I arrived, I felt an immense lifting up of my being. It was like I had been holding onto a tension (a tightness, a fear, a worry and such) that let go when I completed the day and snuggled into the bed. I felt so good, so joyous! The initial contact episode with my granddaughter was a happiness in my spirit. More about her later! I slept well that night--both from the long day, the physical work that was done, and finally being here. I felt like layers of burden were stripping away.

Also I recalled the experience I had as we got away from the Bay Area--how it seemed to be a lot less crowded, more expansive and open (versus closed and myopic), a lot quieter, and things moving a bit slower.

9/26/13
I didn't get up in time to see my granddaughter go off to school--I slept in. When my daughter returned, we took the trailer back and dropped it off. My truck was running smoothly--the trip seemed to have cleaned up the engine, which had been running a bit rough for the past month. We then made a trek to the plaza where there is a TJ's (so I could pick up my standard fare--apples, berries, kefir, chips, cheese, juice drinks, and such). We also stopped at a SB's and I had a green tea latte, which helped kick start my energy levels. Along the way we noted stores and places of interest. The town of Fair Oaks is neatly circumscribed by a large rectangle of purely perpendicular streets. Nearly all places of interest seemed to have been placed on a leg of the rectangle. It makes navigating really simple!

When we got back, I hit the rack and slept for a few hours. I awoke and spent several hours updating my address information in the many places that that data appears. Egad! So many places! When I finished it was about dinner time. My daughter makes a meal on the five work days and everyone sits down for dinner. The granddaughter was still being a bit coy about dealing with me. I didn't push it!

The great grandmother showed me where a stack of puzzles were stored. I broke out a couple of puzzles and began assembling the pieces. My granddaughter came up and joined me--showing me how the puzzles went together. She's 4.5 years old and very bright! We worked on the puzzles until it was her bedtime. I was tired when we ended, but also happy that we had made more contact.

9/27/13 (today)

Again, I slept in and missed the granddaughter's departure for school. I finally got up and made a trek to Folsum (yes, the place where there's a prison). I went to the WF's there and picked up some items that only they carry. It's like the WF's in Palo Alto, but the salad and hot food bars are not as varied--no East Indian dishes, for example. But the food I tried was tasty. The only downside is that the store is 4 miles away instead of the one that was only a mile from me in PA. But, I could get used to the distance--although there's Raley's just down the hill that I could walk to, if needed. I'll check them out!

I did some side jaunts to locate the nearest Walgreen's (where I'll get my prescriptions filled), the numerous SB's in the area (there's at least five within a radius of one mile--one also within walking distance, the local library branch (picked up a card and checked out some books), and noted miscellaneous other places (barber shops, food places, community centers, and such).

While at the library, a man came up and offered to buy my truck! He may have been trying to run a scam of some sort, but it was amusing/interesting.

Two of the books were Dr. Seuss titles (The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, The Butter Battle Book)--they are a bit aggressive in tone) which I read to my granddaughter after dinner. My room is on the other end of the house from hers--she came all the way to mine to let me know it was suppertime! We read (she gave the book's a thumbs-up) and did some puzzles.

The only downer of the day--I got a notice that in 2014 my Medicare Advantage  choice will no longer be available--I'll have to get another program and do so in the next 60 days. The process I started to switch to another Health Net plan anyway may obviate and problems. I've got 60 days to figure it out! I should be able to get it done. The penalty for not finding a solution is loss of drug coverage--which I wouldn't be able to have happen. Roll on Obamacare, roll on!

I had an afternoon green tea latte (it's been cool here, to cool for a Frap) but I'm ready for rack! Tomorrow is a Satur-Day! My first on in Fair Oaks!