Went to Manahawkin this morning to run a lot of errands, and stopped into K-Mart to check my e-mail. Got a message from Alison saying Mike has finished with my computer and she'll come tomorrow late afternoon to re-install it--happy day! I'll see if she'll stay for dinner, too.
Other than that, not much going on except domestic chores. Dropped some stuff off at the thrift store, but they wouldn't take the humongus bag of hangers in my truck. (Took the bag from Aunt Claire's, not realizing what was in it.)
It's warm and looks like rain, but that's okay. Must ask Alison how to get to Ong's Hat, which is where the hike on Monday next is.
In Ellen's regular Sunday night call, she said Mike had contacted her to ask if she'll let him store some things in the garage in her new townhouse. When he and Paula are out there, they'll go through it to see what they want, but they probably won't want to keep anything except a few items of sentimental interest. Ellen can have anything else and she knows that, among other things, there's a full dining room set. She may decide to replace her own with that, but maybe not. Mike's company has paid for the storage for the last ten years, but must have some kind of time limit (one would think!) and it's coming up. He'll have the stuff transported the 500 or so miles to Ellen's. I assume that Mike will arrange to discard the other stuff because, although Ellen will have a 2-car garage, she'll just have moved in and will probably have a lot of boxes, etc. in there herself.
Am going to lunch with Barb D. tomorrow, which will be a nice excursion.

Am at the library and have only 16 minutes left, so this will be short. Had a great hike today--again, we went to Apple Pie Hill in the woods near Chatsworth. This one ended up being 5 + (something--I didn't wait to see what percentage) miles. We went four miles to the hill and just one and a bit back. The day was perfect--much warmer and sunny. Lots of nice people to see, see again, meet, and walk along and chat with.
I did manage to step in part of a stream we had to negotiate our way over, all the way up to above my ankle, so my sneaker and sock got soaked and remained wet for the duration. In fact, I didn't want to bother to change when I got home, and it's still wet and a bit muddy, but no matter. I want to go on the 5-miler next Monday, too, from Ongs Hat to Deep Hollow.
Want to end here to read comments from yesterday.
Note: I want to increase my regular exercise, so yesterday, in addition my usual 7 am walk with Susan, I walked 2 miles to Shop 'n' Bag and back. Want to continue to add a bit often.

It's Sunday, the library is closed, so I'm entering this in K-Mart. Went to the "Short Course on the Pinelands" with Barb H. yesterday, at Burlington Community College. It was great! I attended the classes on what to plant in your garden to attract birds and butterflies; "Tales and Tunes of the Pines"; a section on the lost village of Florence, in Whitesbog; the flora on the gunnery range; and "Hiking in the Pines." The last was presented by Tom N., president of the Outdoor Club. BTW, I plan on a 6 mile hike tomorrow near Tabernacle.
Aside from that, nothing much else new except that I actually cleaned out a lot of my closet--it's a walk-in and I got into the bad habit of putting things in there if I didn't know what to do with them.
Alison called to say poor Mike is still sick. He went to the doctor and had a blood test, which showed a low white cell count (or red cell. Or high. Or something). Anyway, he's still under the weather, I'm afraid. He and Alison were planning to race in Monmouth today, but he probably can't and she might decide against it.
Okay, I have a lot of other stuff to do and it's a drag sitting in the middle of a busy store. Hope to add some tomorrow or next day.

STILL don't have my computer back, and it's so damn frustrating using the library one. After checking and responding to my e-mail, I have only eleven minutes left, so must rush.
Went to Aunt Claire's burial in Conshohocken, PA yesterday; took me 2 hours to get there and I arrived at 5 of 11:00, just 5 minutes before I was told it would start. Did it? No--when we got there, we were told it was actually at 1:30. Not sure how the confusion arose, but oh, well. Actually, it turned out all right, as I was invited with my cousins John and Tom and his wife, Helen, to Sonya's house for lunch. This is where Uncle Frank had worked and lived (hired by Sonya's father) from 1942 until about the '50's. The main part of her house was built in 1787 and boy,is it terrific. Not at all ostentatious, but lovely and filled with antiques. Anyway, we had a great time, then went back to the cemetery.
The ceremony was very brief. There were only 9 of us there, plus the funeral director and the deacon from Tom's church. Aunt Claire's ashes were in an attractive wood box and on a kind of little stand next to the gravestone. After she died, we were at the assisted living facility where she lived and we came across a tiny baby shoe--Judy's first one, which Claire had kept all these years. Nobody wanted it and I couldn't bear the thought of having it thrown away, so I took it. At the grave site, I asked the funeral director to bury it with Claire, and he immediately agreed.
Anyway, it we freezing cold--we were freezing our asses off, as my genteel husband would say--and we didn't stay long. It was a melancholy, but oddly satisfying day. We had said goodbye properly, and Calvary is a beautiful place.
Not much else new. SIL Marybeth sent me a copy of the Johns Hopkins magazine which features a piece on her and brother Frank's son, Patrick, and the reconstruction he did on the soldier's nose that was on CNN. What fun to read it!
When I went to pick Susan up this morning, she gave me a lovely potted primrose. I like them so much and what a wonderful neighbor to have.
Speaking of neighbors, Leslie and I went to Weight Watchers today and enjoyed catching up with each other's lives. BTW, I gained 2 tenths of a pound--so I'm now at 58.8 pounds off and 140.8. Hmm...if .5 is a half pound, I guess .2 is a few ounces. No matter, I'll lose it next week.
Betty called this morning and we had a good chat. She's "working" today, so was off to Carolyn's.
Ray invited Pat out for lunch with him and Gary L. He went and had a good time. OF COURSE, he had a grilled ham and cheese and Ray had grilled cheese and tomato--these guys are in a rut.
Gotta go--am being timed out. If anybody is still checking my blog, please let me know.

Still at the library, but will jot down a few words. Good thing nothing much is happening--am in a lull. Have done lots of boring domestic chores; talked to Betty this morning; and have just been hanging out. I had tentatively planned to go on a hike either yesterday or today,but reluctantly decided against it. I'll be gone most of the day on Thursday, as I'm going to Aunt Claire's burial in Conshohocken, so don't want to leave for so long otherwise. Pat didn't get up until 9:00 today, very unusual for him, and he had heavy "sweats" during sleep. This has happened a time or two before, but doesn't seem to have any particular significance. However, because he goes back to bed for an hour or so after breakfast, I stripped it, and just temporarily put a new bottom sheet on--didn't want him to have to lie down on damp ones. Also changed the pillows and will wash them.
I'm being timed out, so will close. Whoops! Was just told because there's nobody waiting for computers, I got an extra 10 minutes--but I'm not going to used them just rattling boringly on, so will close.
Added on April 17, 2008: Take note of the incredible "comment" following. If typed out, would probably fill fifty pages. Must be from a religious nut. Have no idea who left it, how, or why.

Well, I'm not "back." I'm at the computer at the library and am about to be timed out. Unfortunately, my computer is still in the hospital--at Dr, Mike's, my son-in-law's house and Alison called last night to say poor Mike has the flu.
Therefore, all my myriad comings and goings will not be recorded for posterity, at least not in any coherent manner. A coupla noteworthy (to me, but maybe nobody else) things: I went to an opera class conducted by my friend, Mary Ann Van O.; signed up to attend an all-day course on the Pinelands at Burlington County College on March 1 with Barb H.; bought several blouses and pants in size SMALL; have finished Michael Pollen's book In Defense of Food, which is even better than The Omnivore's Dilemma--I strongly urge everybody to read it.
Lost another pound for a total of 59 and a current weight of 140.1 (damn, that one-tenth of a pound is annoying!). At this point, of course, people are saying, "Don't lose any more," but they can never come up with logical reasons to support their belief that I shouldn't.
And, oh yes, I intend to lose more. To the point of emaciation, sickness, or danger? Certainly not. I intend to lose more, but to retain the energy, good health, and positive outlook I have now.
Have no idea when I'll be able to resume the blog--soon, I hope.

Just got back from getting my (routine) blood work done. The tech had to use both arms, as the right doesn't seem to have any blood--or something. Actually, when she put the needle in, I knew something was different because I felt a deep ache, not the usual sting. Could that mean she hit a muscle? Anyway, she got enough with the other and I was outta there by 7:45.
Yesterday, got the mammogram and bone density test with no problem. Went down the street after to Santori's and stocked up on goodies: acorn and butternut squash, 4 pounds of broccoli, lettuce, feta, and so on.
After lunch, I dropped some things off at the thrift store, then went to Kohl's looking for a royal blue turtleneck. Aunt Claire wore size 14 and cousin Helen had urged me to take a few of her clothes. Well, why not? She had good taste and bought good things. Among them is a spring jacket with checks in shades of blue; I think it will look spiffy with a matching top. Didn't find anything, but I enjoyed looking.
When I got home, I opened the mail and was touched to find a beautiful "To My Sister" valentine card. Betty had added a newspaper clipping about why people make snide comments to others who work hard to stay healthy. Dear Abby replied that they "fail to appreciate that (it)...takes discipline and is an ongoing progress." Ho, ho, so that's it. I do get a few such remarks, but mostly people are very encouraging and flattering.
Called Betty right away--she was on the job, watching Claire outside--and we had a good chat. Our talk even veered to the political and, although we're poles apart, we do agree on some things. Betty said if McCain and Obama run, she'll vote for O. I said if McCain and Clinton run, I won't vote at all.
Soon after, I got a big package from Mike, Paula, and Vivian. It's a beautiful azalea plant in a deep rose color. I put it in the foyer for now and will be able to plant it outside in the spring.
When Pat came in from the bay, he said he had stopped (the car; he can't go in stores) at three different places, but was unable to get me flowers. I don't care, I don't need flowers--just knowing he tried is enough for me.
Just opened my e-mail and got a message from Alison: She's been accepted into the New York Marathon--yowee! It's not until November, so she'll have plenty of time to train. Not sure if Mike will run it or not. I think they're going in the Atlantic City one tomorrow--will check and I may go down to cheer them on.
Alison just called. She's has a 4-day weekend and asked if she could come down and pick up my computer for Mike to took at over the weekend. She'll also do any chores I have lined up for us (what a doll). Of course, I'll be glad to see her and will--reluctantly--let her take my baby. So-o-o, guess I'll be incommunicato until Monday at least.
Running off to Weight Watchers now, as I didn't get there yesterday.
Later: Interestingly, I gained .8 of a pound (about 10 ounces?). I'm okay with this, and even more than okay, as it reinforces the truth that I overdid it in the calories department twice last week: at Pat's birthday party, and at the luncheon after Aunt Claire's funeral. I'm now at 142.4, and 57.2 pounds down, but will adjust next week, I'm confident.