Thought I'd just be doing household chores yesterday, so was pleasantly surprised when Alison called in the morning. She invited me to go with them on a hike in Lebanon State Park. (If they were taking their regular Friday-night group, she never would have asked, as they go 7 to 12 miles then and I'm not quite that nuts.) However, this was A., Mike, and little Lindsay, 4, and Lucas, 3, Mike's biological grandkids. Of course, I enthusiastically accepted and met them about 1:30.
I had had half a butternut squash at home and while I waited for the other hikers, ate the remainder of a jar of pickled beets in the car. (Yes, my tastes are weird--so shoot me.)
It was a gorgeous day and the kids were great. We went a mile down the "red" path and a mile back, so it was a good workout for them. It took almost two hours because we walked slowly so the kids could keep up and stopped frequently to inspect interesting things in the forest. These included the foliage--some edible, such as teaberry--and animal life, such as an emerging moth and two praying mantises (ugh!). Mike is very knowledgeable about the names and properties of plants in the pine barrens (he attends intensive, college-level courses on them). It was a pleasure to hear him identify and describe components of the forest in his quiet, self-effacing way. We sat and chatted under the pavilion by the lake when we got back, the kids making friends with another family there. Got home about 5:00; Pat was fine and I served dinner, then got a shower, and settled down with my wine and popcorn. I was again pleasantly surprised when Alison called to say she and Mike might run in the annual Long Beach Island Run (the length of the island: 18 miles) today, and would I like to go down? Well, of course, I would! She'll call this morning and let me know if they're going to enter.
Later: Well, she did call, they're running, and I'm going. It'll be a nice diversion to cheer them on and I'll enjoy visiting LBI (but I wouldn't want to live there).

Went to Santori's yesterday and bought wagonloads of veggies, including broccoli, just about my favorite food. When I got home, I was excited to find a notice from the post office that a package had arrived, but was at the P.O. Patrick had written to the effect that our new DIL, N., had sent us some gifts and I hoped they were what it contained.
It was! She sent Pat an interesting jigsaw puzzle, me a gorgeous and elegant evening bag in gold, silver, and black, and both of us a lovely collage depicting Kaguyahime, "princess of the moon" according to legend. N. is an artist and created it herself, which makes it all the more precious. I'll frame and hang it shortly.
N. included a charming, beautifully written note (in English, of course). I was very surprised, as I know she doesn't speak English and this was perfectly fluent. It was printed in an elegant hand that is practically a work of art itself.
Mike wrote that N. and Patrick sent some Japanese food mixes to him and Paula, and to Vivian, a stuffed toy character from her favorite cartoon "My Neighbor Totoro." He said she loves it; he took a picture of her with it for her web site and will send it to the newly-married couple.
Vivian has started her new school, OFS (Overseas Family School). Mike described her school day, which seems very enriching. He said she loves her music teacher, "the Black one," whom they haven't yet met, but assume is of African ancestry, somewhat unusual in Singapore. Her regular teacher is Austrailian.
Bought more pansies, which I now have to plant, but they're shades of blue and will look good with the yellow and white ones around the front tree.
"The other Vivian," my friend in Barneget, asked if I wanted to go to the Wellspouse dinner meeting on Tuesday in Manalapan and yes, I do. We're taking somebody named Donna, too; we'll meet at Viv's and she'll drive.

After walking, WW, and breakfast, it was a somewhat ho-hum day. Drove back to Manahawkin to Shop-Rite and got chicken and pork chops, which I'll bread, wrap individually, and freeze. Stopped at the party store for wax lips and eye balls; got ten of the former, two of latter. (No, I'm not going to explain that one.)
Received more items for the Tricky Tray. Otherwise, just did wash and puttered around with this and that.
Betty called to tell me she had bought a lot of veggies and a mandolin. (When I started getting serious about losing weight, I bought one, as well as a chopper.) However, she couldn't figure out the thing goes together and, over the phone, I couldn't, either.
After dinner, I met Marge and Fred at the library to see the two one-act plays put on by the Little Egg Players. They were hysterical and--at my advanced age, always a help--were over in less than an hour so I was home by 8:00.
Cleaners come today, so I want to throw the bathroom rugs in the washer.

Busy, busy day yesterday, and very enjoyable. While Pat napped in the morning, I ran errands in Manahawkin. Bought more mums, these in white and purple, and they look great in the garden. Brother Frank called soon after I got home and we had a good talk. (He and Marybeth are just back from a month in Ireland.) Received another item for the Tricky Tray event, then just had time to hop in the shower, dress (I wore the belt--yes!), and get over to Ventnor Heights to pick Hazel up. Saw her 11-year-old granddaughter, a stunningly beautiful little girl with long blonde hair. She looks as if she should be in a medieval painting with a falcon on her finger.
We went to the caregivers' group at the JCC and I think it's a pretty good one. There were only two other women there besides the facilitator, Hazel, and me, but that's not a bad size. The other women had elderly husbands with varying problems, but of course, in a caregivers' group, it isn't important what the malady of the IS ("ill spouse," as we say in Wellspouse) happens to be; the emphasis is on the well caregiver.
After discussion (confidential), we agreed to meet again in a month. The facilitator, Lois, suggested we meet for lunch or dinner at a local diner for one of the sessions--hey, you know me, that sounded like a great idea! I think Hazel got something out of it, and I did, too, although I'm an old hand at these gatherings.
Dropped Hazel off, then headed back to the end of the island. Went over the Longport Bridge and got to The Crab Trap with no problem--in fact, I was early by about a half hour. Called home and Pat said all was well, except the Phillies were losing (sob!). Then just sat outside (the weather was wonderful) and waited for Pat R. and her Rich...
...and here they came! It was so good to see Pat again and wonderful to meet Rich. We fell on each other with hugs and kisses, then sashayed into the restaurant, were seated immediately, and fell to our favorite occupation, hobby, and avocation: talking. Pat, of course, had to be drawn out, she's such a shy flower (ha, ha), but Rich held his own pretty well in trying to get a word in edgewise.
It's so good and comfortable and fulfilling to be with somebody you like and admire and who has a brain and uses it. We just had a ball. As for what we literally "had"--to eat that is--I had broiled flounder with two sides of veggies, plus salad, a Coors Light, and decaf. Pat and Rich got seafood, too, of course, I just don't recall what. Rich insisted in picking up the tab, although I protested, but he's a big-hearted, generous guy and I didn't have a prayer. Thanks, Buck!
I wanted to start home before darkest nightfall, so we reluctantly said goodbye before we had really finished talking (will that ever happen?--I'm never "finished" talking!) We agreed I should visit them in Virginia Beach some weekend and boy, I'd love to and hope to be able to arrange it.
Got home with no problem. Pat was fine and said Betty had called. I called her back and we had a nice talk.
Good day all around and now I'm ready for our walk, then Weight Watchers.
Later: Yet again, I lost 1.6 pounds, just a shade more than one and a half. Considering I had a nice dinner last night and two meals at the Wellspouse gathering on Saturday, that's good. It brings me to 161.6, with 38 pounds off. I expect to get into the 150s and/or 40 pounds lost within the next two Thursdays.

While Susan and I were chatting after our walk yesterday, neighbors Judy K. and Charlie D. (for "Dog") came up and gave us each a bag of Halloween candy. Judy had attached a picture of Charlie dressed in his costume: a tux and top hat. It was hysterical, as Charlie has one odd, staring eye and his expression in the picture was that of a serial killer who had just offed his last victim. Okay, I'll confess: Even I like Charlie, who's a nice little doggy and thoroughly socialized, and doesn't bark or jump up and scare me.
Took Pat to the breathing test. We were both tense about it, but he got through it all right. The doctor reviewed it after and said there was actually a very slight improvement in the numbers since his last test a year ago. It gave both of us a lift when she said, "We're usually satisfied when the condition is stable, so this is good." However, it needs to be made clear this isn't terribly significant--emphysema is progressive and incurable--it's just better than a downturn.
After leaving Pat his lunch (he napped after we came home), I zipped up to Kohl's and bought myself a blouse and two pairs of "ballerina shoes." These were big in 1902 when I was a girl, so I was glad they were on sale. Bought a black patent and a red; however I discovered that the black ones hurt, so I'll return them, but will sport the perky red when I go on my excursions today.
Barb H. came over to get my check for the Women's Club Christmas luncheon on on December 12 (we're making up a table with 8 others) and stayed for awhile to chat.
Unpleasant note: Yesterday, The Press of Atlantic City ran a disturbing story: The pastor of our local R.C. church, St. Teresa's, has been accused of child molestation and has been relieved of his duties pending an investigation. Although I'm happily "fallen away," as the silly label used to be, and have been for years, I'm grieved for many of my friends who are faithful parishioners there.

Went out and got another bag of mulch before taking Pat to the auto repair place. We left his car and when we got home, I was pleased to hear from Marge asking about my availability for lunch. Sure thing, I'm game. Marge and I like to try different restaurants and we decided on The Grapevine where we haven't been for awhile. I'm not sure why, as it's a nice place, the food is usually good, and it's fairly modest in price. I had--what else?--a salad, but not Caesar this time.
Maybe I should have. This salad consisted of grilled, formerly frozen, chicken strips over blah iceberg lettuce and--unfortunately--lots of other stuff I don't much like, including cucumber, hot peppers, and those horrid "baby" carrots. Warning--here comes a rant: I don't know what the big deal is when you just have to pare real, live carrots, and cut them up, but these packaged, tasteless pseudo-vegetables seems to be all people serve nowadays. (Oh, shut up, Rosemary--get a life!) Anyway, I picked out a lot of the stuff and ate the rest, then took quite a bit home, nibbled a bit more, and threw it out. No matter, because the real enjoyment of our lunch lay in talking and sharing with each other.
Marge and I are now close friends. We no longer have to explain who we mean when we mention relatives and personal histories, so we're very comfortable together. After lunch, we stopped at Hand's Nursery again and both bought pumpkins to decorate the outside. Nice day.
When I got home, Pat took my car to the bay and I spread the other bag of mulch around two trees in the back. I was annoyed to notice we had also overlooked the bed around the front tree (now with pansies), and put some there, too. It needs a little more; I'll buy another bag today.
Took Pat back to get his car at 4:00. They put in a new alternator to the tune of $340, but I just sighed, wrote out a check, and forgot about it.
Pat has that damn breathing test this morning, so we have to leave for Absecon about 9:30. Hope it isn't too much of an ordeal for him.
Tomorrow, I pick up Hazel for the caregivers' meeting in Margate, then meet Pat and Rich for dinner at the Crab Trap--yippee!

Went to Hand's Nursery about noon and bought four bags of mulch. When I got home, Alison was there, lying on the couch. Poor thing, she had a bad cold. I chided her for not calling to say she couldn't come, but she insisted she was okay. She told us about her seventy-five mile bike run on Saturday for MS. Yes, she finished the whole thing--from Cherry Hill to Ocean City--and raised several hundred dollars. Pat and I were concerned, though, when she told us she had fallen. A colleague of hers dropped a water bottle, braked to pick it up, and Alison had to jam on her brakes to avoid hitting him. This resulted in her flying over her handlebars and landing hard on the road. There were lots of ambulances and EMTs on the route and several rushed up to her. They asked her to come with them to be examined and/or go to an emergency room, but she refused, got back on her bike, and finished. Luckily, she seems to have sustained only a bruised shoulder--she landed on it--and we're sure has no lasting damage. Incidentally, there were 8,000 participants riding various distances. Some stayed over, then biked back to Cherry Hill yesterday, totalling 150 miles over two days. Hmm, maybe I'll do that next year...
Incidentally, Mike wasn't able to come, as he was occupied in removing the solar panels from their roof, which has a leak. Big Joel was helping him, so I assume they got it done reasonably quickly; they'll have to replace them after the roof is fixed.
My strong, healthy, darling daughter and I really got the place in shape! A. dug out the two ugly round bushes (builder-provided) on either side of the front path, then dragged them to the thick woods behind our house to help replenish the forest as they disintegrate. In their place, we put in the Montauk daisies, already beautifully blooming, adding some of the mums near them. I put the winter pansies all around the front tree and had enough for a hanging basket. We broke for lunch, then Alison dumped the mulch and I helped spread it. We had enough to go around two of the four trees in the backyard and I'll get another bag today. Want to get some pumpkins for decoration, too.
After we finished, Alison left to baby-sit for Tristan while Joel, Jen, and Joely went out. I made chicken for dinner, talked to other D.D., Ellen, showered, enjoyed my wine and popcorn, laid gratefully down in bed, and slept the sleep of the just.
Just a little philosophical note: There's something deeply satisfying about accomplishing projects through hard, physical labor. I've always been a cerebral type, putting things of the mind over those of the body, so as I matured, this came as a revelation to me. It felt so good to lift, bend, and stretch alongside my daughter, then see the results of our efforts in a lovely, flowering garden that will last for many years.