Got up to Joely's birthday party about 3:00; it was at Jen's Uncle Jake's place, a 16-acre spread on Route 537. The hit of the day was the present from Joel's half-brother, Jack: a little lizard that looks like the insurance company one. Joel promptly named him "Geico."
The weather was beautiful and I was outside a lot of the time. The place has a large backyard, then acres of forest where big Joel led us to look for a bomb shelter he remembered seeing. There are three houses on the property, as well as at least four outbuildings.
Sounds like elegant living, doesn't it? NOT! (As we used to say in high school.) The main house is very oddly laid out, with additions put on the original late 18th-century part, seemingly at random. For instance, the three-car garage is considerably bigger than the house itself, and the back of the place has steps that end at a wall. The whole property, big though it is, has a general air of casualness, leaning toward unkemptness, including inside the main house--old kitchen, mediocre furniture, no pictures on the wall. Jake had lived here with his partner, who died a few years ago, and he now shares it with his mother (Joely's great-grandmother), 5-year-old Gabe, his 20-year-old mother, and her mother, Tammy.
Anyway, it was an enjoyable day. Litte Gabe, was there, of course, and Joely's other cousins, Zach, Jackie, and Little Girl Whose Name I Can't Remember, as well as adult members of the large, blended family. I did overindulge--had sausage, hot dog and bun, and cake--and might pay for it on Thursday, but will hop right back on the WW wagon today.
Got home about 7:00. Pat was okay, having gone to the bay, then made himself dinner of a sandwich, which won't hurt him once in a while.
Darling little Vivian called and I talked to her and Mike. They're finally in their new place and he finally got the parts for his end of the web cam. As soon as I register and we complete the other requirements, we'll be able to see each other on the computer.
Now, after my company and the party, I'm ready to resume my regular quiet life--until something new and interesting comes along.