Went to pick up Susan in a downpour. We both had umbrellas, but the wind was so bad, we turned back only a short way into our usual mile and a half. Hey, it won't hurt to skip one day.
After WW, I stayed in for a leisurely Sunday. Pat didn't go to the bay, as there was a Flyers game at 3:00. I had a long chat with Betty early on, then changed our sheets, vacuumed, and performed other chores. Gave Pat barbecued country ribs for dinner (I make a fair amount in the crock pot, then freeze individual portions); I had my usual, heavy on the veggies.
Had a long talk with Ellen. She was about to move into her new townhouse and, as is common, has some concerns. (Not sure if that's called "buyer's remorse," an expression I've often heard). Overall, though, the place is fine--can't wait to see it next month.
Alison called late. She alerted me to the Jersey Shore Running Club website where there are pictures of her and Mike during the Allentown 5K run. Mike came in first in his category and she came in second--sixth in the female overall group.

The hike yesterday was so good. It took me only about twenty minutes to drive to Batsto and meet up with leader Joe and about 30 others. We went around the beautiful, very secluded Mullica Lake, and along rough and sand trails. Christine, an long-time OCNJ leader, pointed out pixie moss (really in the heath family) and trailing arbutus, both flowering already. The weather was fabulous: sunny and so unseasonably warm I had to carry my coat part of the way. After a brisk 5 miles, we ate lunch (a big salad and water for me) at picnic tables under the trees. Just love this group!
Got home by 1:00 while Pat was having lunch. After he went to the bay, I went to Kohl's looking for slacks. Gathered some nice ones, all size 14, but to my chagrin (ho-ho, like fun!), they were all too big. I'm now in a 12 petite.
Talked to Alison later to tell her about the hike. She and Mike ran in an Allentown race yesterday--a ten miler--and came in second and first, respectively, in their categories. They then ran the eight miles home. She told me they're going on an OCNJ hike next Saturday and I said I'd join them if I weren't already committed to the Freedom Fields hike with Leslie. "Hmm," she replied, "It's a marathon hike--26.5 miles."
Think I'll just skip that one.
Later: Missed Weight Watchers yesterday because of the hike, so impulsively went today through a driving rain. Lost another pound and am now at 136.6 with a total of 63 pounds off.

Zipped down to Santori's and Shop-Rite in Galloway after a spat with The Press of Atlantic City (paper wet, called, got rude "customer service" rep, complained to supervisor, etc.). Big headline told about the consolidation of Camden diocese parishes; St. James will operate as a church only in the summer. Well, I guess it was inevitable considering the shifting demographics and so on.
While I was making dinner, neighbor/walking partner/good friend Susan came over to bring me a gift of four lovely pansy plants. She proceeded to put them neatly in my hanging planter out front. What a wonderful spring-y gesture! She then came in to view my Irish table (she loves it).
Alison called on her way to her and Mike's Friday night hike. Nothing much new with them, but it's always a pleasure to hear from her. I'm looking forward to the five-miler I'm going on today. This is on one of the Batsto trails, which is only about twenty minutes away for me.
After dinner, Mike called/web cammed. We discussed our mutual upcoming California trips and adorable Vivian showed me her new "Strawberry Shortcake" books. They've been looking for a big girl bed for her, as her new little sister will eventually go into the crib. I chatted with pregnant Paula; her father lives in Escondido and had to vacate during a recent forest fire. She and her brother were concerned when they couldn't reach him, even on the cell phone, but they eventually did, and he's back in his house and okay. I asked Paula when she'd stop working and she said, "When I go into labor."
I got to meet the new nanny, Jenny, who seems very nice. Old nanny, Vicky, is on a leave of absence, but will accompany them to the states next month. They still have both nannies in residence; not sure when Vicky will leave for good.

Nice day yesterday. I took the income taxes to be filed (it was quick and easy and we're getting some back) and when I got home, Pat said Marge had called to see if I was available for lunch. Oh, yes, and pleased to be asked.
We went to little Beverly's where Pat and Ray regularly go. I passed up a salad (I eat a lot of salad at home) and ordered a ham and cheese omelet made with Egg Beaters. I told the waitress not to add the sides (toast and fries) and gee, was it good. The tiny cubes of ham and slight amount of cheese probably didn't add more than fifty calories and I need the protein, anyway.
After, we went down to Green Street, but Pat wasn't at the bay. Marge came in with me to view the Irish table and he was home, waiting for the guy to come install the Comcast box.
Lynne had called while I was out to say she was unable to keep our lunch date today because of a vision problem. I called her back and found she had suffered a retina tear a few days ago. She went immediately to the opthomologist and retina specialist, and he/they had treated it, but she was still having blurred vision and has to go back today. Boy, can I sympathize: I had almost exactly the same thing about fifteen years ago, but in my case, it may have been a less extensive tear--not sure. Anyway, I'll miss seeing her today, but of course, her vision is the top priority. We'll make another date later.
In the meantime, I talked to/saw Ellen on the web cam. She took the day off to do some packing and we had a good chat.
I then took the plunge and got my tickets for California! Will arrive on May 8 and stay until the 18th. Am looking forward with great anticipation to seeing Ellen, Mike, Paula, Vivian, and of course, my dear sissy, Betty, and her family.
(When we were kiddies, Mom would call one of us "sissy" every once in awhile and we'd pout, "I'm NOT a sissy!" Guess we thought she meant we lacked courage or something.)

Aside from slogging away at picture-storing, I zipped down (up? over?) to Manahawkin to try to get my glasses fixed. The optician said the ear piece, which fits into the frame, would have to be glued back and Pat did it for me with Crazy Glue. I haven't put them on yet--hope they work.
While I was in the big city, I picked up a furnace filter; dear Dennis had reminded me it was time for him to change it.
Washed, dried, folded, and put away the mountains of wash we seem to generate.
Was horrified to read in The Press that Brendan Byrne Park is scheduled to be closed. Just when I started hiking! And the place where Alison and Mike lead hikes every Friday! Must check the web site of the Outdoor Club of South Jersey to read its take on the closing.
I'm looking forward to meeting Lynne for lunch tomorrow. She lives in Rehobath Beach, DE, and we meet in Christiana, so it's a jaunt for both of us, but we try to meet a few times a year.

Darn! As I was cleaning my glasses this morning, one of the ear pieces broke off. I'm wearing my old ones, but it isn't quite the right prescription. Must get to an optician and get new frames--but will they have them in the right size for the lenses? I hate to spend much on new ones, as I'm due for a checkup in a few months and may need a different prescription. (Will take back that "darn" and say "DAMN!")
Am continuing my clear-out, clean-up campaign. Spent hours removing pictures from frames and separating them. Today, I'll decide which of the myriad mound of frames to donate to the thrift store. I have so many because 1. I'm a photo freak, and 2. I had dups of some pictures decorating a wall in my office at Rider.
Jen installed a web cam and Pat and I greatly enjoyed talking to and seeing the Phillips Four yesterday. Joely told us about a boy named Eric who "went to Florida." We discussed his cousin, Vivian, who lives so far away; he wants to see her on the cam, too.
Talked to Betty about her SIL's father's death and some acquaintances. Alison called; she likes her new school and we talked about my times to and from California. Must get my tickets soon.
Aside from a supply trip to Shop-Rite, that was about it, so it was a fairly slow day. However, good things are coming up: Friend Lynne C. and I have a date to meet for lunch on Friday (in Christiana, DEL). Barb H. invited me to go with her and Ray to the local "Show Me A Tenor" production on Friday, the 11th, and I accepted with pleasure. We also made a tentative date for the three of us (Barb, Susan, and I) to finally go for our birthday lunch; we'll do that either Wednesday or next Friday.

Spent yesterday clearing out and cleaning up. Put the Irish table along the inner wall in the dining room and switched some other stuff around. Did a bunch of wash, went to Acme, filled boxes to donate to the thrift store today, and completed similar mundane, but necessary, chores.
The only highlight--aside from DD's daily call*--was my trip to the dry cleaner. What did I bring there? Ho, ho, it was my wedding gown*, which is older than the man who owns the place. It's pretty badly yellowed and stained, having been taken off, packed away, and untouched for five decades, but I trust he can make it look a little better. I intend to display it during our anniversary party and why the hell not?
*I designed the gown and my Aunt Gertrude made it, as she did Betty's and our older sister's.
**Alison started at her new school in Riverside yesterday and had a good day. She said most of the children (in Special Services, they range in age from 3 to 21) are not as disabled as those in her previous assignment. She'll be here until the end of the school year in June.