Had nothing scheduled yesterday, but it turned out to be a fun time. During our walk, Susan asked me for directions to the Sock Outlet in Northfield, where I had gotten my fabulous, "jewel" encrusted cuff bracelet. Wore it to her house when she had me over for dinner with her family. Her daughter, Julie, had exclaimed over the bracelet, tried it on, and so on, and Susan wanted to get her one. Little did she know that I had already been to the place and asked the buyer (also owner) to get another. Well, I told Susan I'd like to go with her, I did, she got the bracelet and eighty-seven dollars worth of other stuff (Christmas presents) and I blacked out. When I came to, I had bought two more bracelets--I just can't leave them on the counter!--although I didn't spend anywhere near eighty-seven dollars.
After this agreeable excursion, I suggested we have lunch and we did, at Shore Diner, one of my favorites. It's several cuts above must diners--large, well-appointed and the wait staff wears uniform black pants, white shirts. Best of all, it has a great variety of terrific food.
Unfortunately, that terrific food seems to have done a number on me: I had a cup of bean soup and half a sandwich. Oddly--I've never seen this at any other restaurant--you couldn't substitute for the sandwich. A cheese, ham, turkey club is standard and, with that order, that's what you have to get. So I did, and later, had a bad stomach ache for an hour or so. Took some Tums and it finally went away. My theory is that, as I don't eat meat at home at all, I had startled and irritated my stomach with the stuff two days in a row (hamburger on Monday night with Vivian) and it was protesting. (I may be completely wrong about that.)
One other thing about the Shore Diner: All the waiters and waitresses seem to be from Greece or Bulgaria. Intriguing, I calls it.
When I got home, went to bed with Tums; later, watched part of Thank You For Smoking, which I had borrowed form the library.. Only mildly funny and interesting, I thought; may not continue watching.
The nice day was topped off by a web cam call from the darlings in Singapore. Vivacious Vivian and adorable little Violet (she talks so well for 2 years, 3 months, I'm always amazed) and their Daddy. Discussed end-of-year plans, which for me, are still in flux.
Good day and I slept like a baby, a log, or the brains of regular T.V. viewers.

Enjoyed a full, fun day in Ventnor and elsewhere. Stopped at Charley and Mary P.'s to express condolences for the loss of their daughter before arriving at 15 South at Noon. Dee insisted on having lunch there instead of going out. Okay, sure, said I, and she served up a salad and fried chicken cutlets--.
FRIED! I haven't had anything fried for about a year! Did I eat it? Sure did. Just barely choke it down? Ho, ho, I had to be restrained from dumping the whole platter on my plate. It tasted wonderful. A friend of Dee's from her other home was there, too, as well as Scarlett from upstairs, and her 9-year-old, Dillon, a very handsome, bright, and nice kid.
It still seems eerie to be chatting in the place I grew up in, all those many moons ago, but it was a good visit. I had brought copies for Dee of 10 or 12 pictures taken at the house from the forties and she and Scarlett exclaimed over them, comparing notes on what was the same and what different. The highlight for me, though, was when Dee presented me with the note she had found behind a cabinet when the downstairs kitchen was renovated. It's dated January 13, 1946, and was written by my father. What a treasure! More about that in a later entry.
I stayed until about 2:30, then went off after assuring Dee and Scarlett we'd meet again--I'll invite them to our place for lunch shortly. On impulse, I stopped at St. James to see if the pictures I had archived had been found. I was pleased to see several (in the frames I had selected and bought) leaning against a wall near Sister Joan's office; found the file box with the rest of them on a shelf. Nobody was around, so I left a note for Ann, the secretary, and will call her today or tomorrow.
The H.'s house is across the street from the church on Newport Avenue and I decided to stop in and say hello. I heard voices on the porch and, to my amazement, found Betty's daughter, Carolyn, and family! Long story as to why they were there (the H's are traveling), but of course, was delighted to see them. Stayed a half hour or so, then went on my way. (C., D., and kids fly home to California today.)
Naturally, I called Betty as soon as I got home to tell her about seeing her D.D. and family. Made a quick dinner for Pat of soup and sandwiches--considering my billion-calorie lunch, I simply had a pint of blueberries for dinner. Then drove to Manahawkin to duplicate Dad's letter for my sibs; also exchanged the black Capris for navy Bermudas.
Was pleased to hear from Alison that her first day in the Little Egg school district went very well.
Must get ready to meet Barb H. Today, we're going to the "Blueberry and Cranberry Culture Van Tour" sponsored by the Ocean County Parks Commission.

What a fun day we had! Called Jen to see if I could pick Joely up early, and that's what I did. Got there a little before 11, strapped him in the seat, then turned right around and drove back, arriving close to noon. I called Leslie to see if her granddaughters could come down and play. They did, but all three were all a little stiff and silent--that was to change.
They left and I gave Pat and Joely ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch, making myself a big dish of broccoli. When J. saw that, he complained, "Why can't I have broccoli?" He loves the stuff and of course, I gave him a generous portion, all of which he ate with gusto. He said, "Gracias" for the broccoli.
I put beef stew in the crockpot for Pat and Larry's dinner (we had to leave at 5:00), then called for the girls again and took all three to the playground. They loosened up a lot--in fact, all started talked incessantly. They slid, swung, and climbed, then I took them a little way on the walk through the woods (there are trails). We then left that playground and went to the bay at Green Street (where Pat goes everyday); where there's other play stuff. I called home, found that Larry had arrived, and he and Pat joined us. After another half hour, went back home, told the girls we'd see them later, then jumped in the shower and dressed for "Peter Pan."
Walked the 3 houses down to Leslie's and we all--Leslie, Dennis, son and DIL Joe and Pia, Sierra, Aspen, Joel, and I--drove to Beach Haven on Long Beach Island to Surflight Theatre.
There were humongous numbers of kids there, of course--in fact, it was very crowded. The production seemed pretty amateurish, but somehow, that added to its charm. Thank heavens, it was a very truncated version, and lasted only about an hour, not the two we expected. After Joely assured me he was going to be "bored" (I think kids all go through this stage and actually, I think lots of what we do in life is to avoid being bored--some day, will elaborate on this belief), he loved the show.
We were home by 8:00 and I made popcorn while Joely entertained Pat and Larry. He's very talkative now, and oh-so-amusing as only just-turned-fives can be. He told us with great authority that vampires didn't live around these parts, but you have to be careful if you go to...to...he got stuck on "Transylvania," but we got the drift. He said his new baby brother would be named either Tristan or Jayden and would come out of Mom's belly pretty soon. He told me that the people in Austrialia speak Spanish and have to watch out for sharks. He said his birthday party (delayed because Nana Alison is still in New Mexico) would be at his Uncle Jake's house and that he wanted--and here followed a long list of items I never heard of before, including some electronic devices that carry $500 price tags.
Joel and Jen arrived about 9:00; they had gone to Borgota for dinner and we had a nice visit with them.
Oh, and after I had picked up Joel, next-door neighbor Barb D. came over to report on the latest on Anne Mary. She had called and asked Barb to bring her clothes to the hospital. A.M. keeps these in her car, so Barb had to drive all the way to Manahawkin to get her keys, then drive back with the clothes. She said A.M told her she'd "have to be transferred" to her North Jersey hospital, but now she's being discharged today after all tests were negative. Anne Mary called me after we got home last night to ask if I'd pick her up. I said I would--having made that promise--but I hope it isn't too late because Larry's here.
Jack B. called and will come over today. Maybe he and Larry will go somewhere local while I pick up the royal pain in the rear Anne Mary.