Monday, August 6: Mucho fun yesterday at our M. family luncheon. Amy, Bill, Regina, and Sean got here a little early--no problem, as I was prepared--and there was much kissing and hugging. Amy brought a little bouquet of daisies (one of my favorite flowers) and a delectable blueberry/cherry pie she made herself. For dessert, I had cut-up fruit and cookies and this was a nice addition. Regina gave us a bottle of locally-made "Nana Wine"--I was charmed by the name and will sample it soon. Donna arrived with a spectacular bouquet of mixed flowers, including roses in red, pink, and yellow.
Lunch--just a typical summer spread of cold cuts, salads, various breads, and so on, although I added my zucchini casserole for a hot dish--was well-received, but of course, the most fun was in talking over old times and new. The M. contingent stayed until after 4:00, but Donna insisted on staying to help wash the dishes (I don't put some of the dishes or any of the the silver in the dishwasher). That wasn't necessary, but we enjoyed talking while we cleaned up. It was a good, good day--it always is when friends and family come.
I'm looking forward to Betty's arrival tomorrow, and, of course, our HSHS friends on Monday. Fair warning: Because there'll be only four of us (Pat will make an appearance, then leave for the bay), I'm considering having lunch in the kitchen, rather than the dining room. I'm thinking it would be more casual and might be more comfortable in the kitchen. Of course, I know what elegant and high-class ladies these are--would they be insulted? Will decide later...

Sunday, August 5: Got to Santori's and really stocked up on veggies and fruit, bought a few plants at Lowe's, and went to Acme for more provisions. Pat asked me to get a new battery for his watch, and what a drag, as the back has to be removed to replace it. I went to 3 different places (Radio Shack, where the guy told me they weren't allowed to open watches; K-Mart, which has a jewellery area and sells watches, but of course, the clerk had no idea how to do it; and--finally--a little jewelery store in Manahawkin where I should have gone in the first place). Battery replaced and problem solved.
The preceding sounds like a mere nothing, but took almost all day. Watered the outside after dinner, having interspersed the new plants (still in their pots and I've performed this trick before) among the old, and it looks fair, but far from as attractive as it's been other years.
Brother Larry called. His Helen needs a little fix-up on the eye that had the--successfully removed--growth under it, so they'll travel to Jacksonville soon. They were going to see a new community near them which surrounds "Santa Maria College," a very conservative school established by the founder of Domino's Pizza. I believe it will promote the same ultra-Catholic beliefs. Hey, to each his own.
After dinner, was happy to hear from Ellen and we discussed her art project, as well as an upcoming "retreat" for the faculty at her school in the Napa Valley. The district will pay for it, as it's a professional conference, designed to enhance skills and exchange information. When I was at Rider, I attended several such conferences for higher education/human resource people, including a weekend at Annapolis, and an over-nighter in Philly. There, you could talk with colleagues from other colleges and universities, attend workshops, and--the hope and theory was--come back to work refreshed and recharged with new ideas. You also got to party.
Looking forward to having Pat's brother, SIL, two nieces, and great-nephew here for lunch today.

Saturday, 8/4*: Alison came down about noon to help me weed. NOw the place looks better, although this year, I don't have nearly as nice plantings, especially annuals. I should have watered more, but just didn't get around to it.
Some decorative grasses had sprung up spontaneously in the front, but in the wrong places. Alison dug them up and transplanted to under the windows, where the remains of the irises are. Think I'll fill in with some potted stuff--will just have to remember to water more often. Alison also planted the azalea Mike sent for Father's Day, filled the bird feeder, and helped out otherwise.
Showered, got dinner on the table (a pork chop for Pat, Boca burger for me), and dressed for my stint at the play. When I went in, I was pleased to have Jim H., who wrote and acted in "Tony and the Heiress" greet me with a big hug. (I had been in the troupe last year, but withdrew because of other commitments.) It was fun to check people's names off, hand out programs, and suggest seating, although it was a little chaotic. The community center was set up with tables and chairs, which was supposed to make the audience feel they were in the bar where the play takes place. Unfortunately, that cut down considerably on the number of seats and we had to set up chairs in the back for some.
I left about halfway through, as my duties were over, and no sooner got in the door than Mike called on the web cam. Vivian yelled, "Hi, Nana! Hi, Pop!" and showed us her "water doll." This is a kind of cut-out that looks like a paper doll, but is made of flat foam, with a wardrobe that can be put on and off. Mike said V. hadn't yet opened all her presents, and that her party was the talk of the complex.
Have a full day today, too, as I need to shop for the Molloy Lunch tomorrow, make some of the things I'm serving, and check a few last-minutes items.
*Ellen mentioned that it's sometimes confusing to know what day I'm writing about. It's always the day before the entry, because I do this in the early morning. If I remember, think I'll add the day the action takes place for awhile.

The cleaners didn't get here until after 11:00 yesterday and I was annoyed with that. I gave them "a talk" about the large chip off the lid of my porcelain canister in the kitchen that happened last time, then felt ashamed. Who am I, some grand lady yelling at the servants and who the hell cares about this container, which I got with its mate at a yard sale in Margate? Geez, no wonder poor people start revolutions.
I don't like to go out while they're here, but I had a lunch date with Mary Ann Van O. and Pat was here, so I left him the check and tips. As it turned out, the house look great when I got back and I called the service to tell them that.
Auntie Ellen called to discuss baby Tristan and we had a good chat.
Lunch was nice. Mary Ann suggested a little bakery/restaurant nearby, fine with me, but we went there and were surprised to see it's closed. Went to good old Dockside, instead, and yes, I got the Caesar salad. Ate half and took the other half home.
Mary Ann's husband, Bart, has emphysema as serious as Pat's and we get together every few months. She called me later to tell me the results of another of Bart's maladies--no matter what, but just another sad signal of aging.
Tried to call Jen at the hospital, just to say "hello," but couldn't get through for some reason. She goes home today, so I'll catch her there. Alison should be down today to help me weed and do a few other chores. I don't want to keep her too long, as I know she has a lot of other commitments.
Gave Pat a frozen dinner (well, so what? I usually have something a lot more elaborate) then jumped in the shower and dressed to go to the Little Egg show. Fred and Marge picked me up.
The performance ("Tony and the Heiress") was good, although when I work there giving out programs tonight, I'll tell them some of the lines were difficult to hear. One of the players sang "Danny Boy" and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Got home about 9:00 and enjoyed the usual with Pat...
No, not that--I mean popcorn and popsicles!

Little Tristan Edward Phillips is just beautiful! I got up there about 1:00 after finishing some chores at home. (Earlier, had weighed in* at WW, but didn't stay for the lecture.) Found Jen, Joel, Joely, Alison, and J. and J.'s friend, Jason, in the large, comfortable "birthing room" at Capitol Health Center (used to be Mercer) Hospital. His Mommy was holding Tristan, but let me take him when I got there. As soon as I walked in, Joely said excitedly, "That's my little brother, that's my little brother!"
Unlike my mostly bald babies, Tris has a respectable amount of hair (dark brown, like his Dad's) and ruddy skin. It's hard to tell at this stage but he seems to have "Byrne eyes"--that is, deep-set, as my father's were. He really is an attractive baby. He slept a lot, but also cried lustily, and seemed to enjoy being passed from person to person. When his Mommy held and talked to him, he looked straight at her and made little cooing sounds--so adorable!
Jen's sister had already been in, and her parents were due at 4:30 or so. Of course, Alison and I took pictures. Loved the ones of big Joel, Joely, and little Tristan sitting together--Joely greatly enjoyed holding him. At one point, he said, "Look at this, Mimi" and stroked Baby's cheek, making him turn that way! (Gee, Tris can do tricks.)
After I left, I drove on impulse to our old neighborhood and stopped into my friend, Mildred's, across the street from our former home. She was glad to see me and we chatted for a half hour or so. I stopped at the cemetery after that, where my dear friend, Elaine, has rested for four years now.
Driving home, I mused--with a kind of melancholy, but not unhappy, feeling--on the mystery of time passing. I had gone from visiting a human being only hours old, to a woman who is 94 and surely nearing the end of her life. After that, there's the grave. "Here she lies, where all must come/After days grown wearisome...."
It was almost 6:00 when I got home to put the pictures on the computer, make Pat scrambled eggs for dinner, and throw the bath rugs in the washer. Pat enjoyed seeing the pics of Terrific Tris, especially those of Joely holding him.
Today will be busy. The cleaners are coming in the morning, I'm having lunch with Mary Ann Van O. at noon, then going to the Little Egg Players show at 7:00. I have a coupla other items in between, but hey, that's the way I like it.
*2.6 more pounds off, for a total of 25.4 and a weight of 174.2. (It's a red-letter day when news about my weight is just an afterthought in an asterisk!)

Added to the following at 8 am: Joel just called to announce the birth of Tristan Phillips at about 7:30! He's 19 inches long, weighs 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and, judging from the background noise, he has a good, healthy pair of lungs. Will go up to see him in a few hours--happy day!

Boy, it's weird. Aside from doing wash and a few other domestic chores, I can barely remember what went on yesterday. True, I spent time soaking my foot and re-dressing it, but that was a minor part of the day. Went to Foodtown in Smithville for some items, put barbecued chicken legs in the crock pot, and had my usual veggieful lunch. Talked to Alison (Jen went in the hospital) and to Frank next door about my stint on Saturday "working" at the Little Egg Players show. Nuttin' else going down, I guess.
Tomorrow, the cleaners are coming in the morning, I'm going to lunch with Mary Ann Van O. at noon, and to see the Little Egg show in the evening with Marge and Fred. Should be a fun day.
Weight Watchers this morning. Have been faithful to my regime, but have no idea what my weight's doing. As ever, I'll be fine with any change--or none.

Big news on the baby front! Alison called to tell us Jen will go in the hospital today (Wednesday) to be induced. I'm always a little puzzled about this. All my babies were late--almost 3 weeks for Alison--and everybody just waited until they were born, but they don't seem to do that nowadays--not sure why. If she goes in today, little Tristan will probably make his appearance tomorrow, so his birthday will be August 2. That's a nice date.
Got my hair cut in the morning and I'm not thrilled with it. I don't think she cut it short enough, although I wanted to keep as much of the perm as possible (it's only a month old);Pat didn't even realize I had gotten it cut. (Oh well, he is a man, so "oblivious" is his middle name.)
Pat called to have Sears come out to look at the oven (the thermostat doesn't work right) and fridge (the in-the-door ice dispenser isn't working, so you have to open the door to get ice) and somebody will be here next week. It'll probably cost of fortune, but we just want them fixed.
Jack B. stopped over yesterday after playing golf at Atlantis nearby. Pat had already gone to the bay, so Jack just chatted with me for awhile.
Went to My Three Sons produce to get Pat his black plums and picked up tomatoes and watermelon, too.
Soaked my foot twice, as the doctor had instructed, but accidentally pulled off the skin over the sore, so now it's an open wound. It stung when I used Epsom Salts in the water, so I dumped it and used plain. It's a drag to dress and bandage it, but I'm able to walk and did my regular mile and a half with Susan yesterday and will today. It just feels as if my sock has a fold or something in it or something--annoying, but not too bad.