Busy, busy, lots going on. Right after our walk, I zipped over to Manahawkin to leave off some prescriptions, then sped back to jump in the shower and dress for our Woman's Club Luncheon.
The fact is, the only reason I continue to join the Woman's Club is for the luncheons. The meetings tend to be boring--next time, a chiropractor has been scheduled (Zzzz)--and they're held on Sunday afternoons, when I'd often rather do something else.
The luncheon was at Renault Winery, a lovely place, and was good fun. Pat H. picked me up, along with Lois V. and Barb H. (Pat's granddaughter goes to Rider, my alma mater and long-time place of employment.) Pat is a nice person, but drives like an little old lady--I had to restrain myself from telling her to get the lead out--so it took us about twice as long to get there as it would have with speedy Mimi at the wheel. We did, though, and joined the crowd. I was gratified at the number of women who came up to me to praise my performance in "Magnolias." Some of them had greeted me after the shows, but I hadn't realized others were there; I felt like a celebrity. What's more, I won twenty-five bucks in the fifty-fifty--yahoo! As I often say, there's nothing like money to make people happy.
Got home about 3:30 with just time to change and assemble my stuff for our Breeze meeting. We're down to the wire with submissions and there are still a few things I have to clean up, but we're pretty well set.
I went right from the meeting to Manahawkin, where I picked up my four prescriptions. The cost was only a hair over twenty bucks, all told, which is why I take my prescriptions to Wal-Mart. Considered looking in on the Zumba exercises--I have a free pass for one session--but I was hungry and it was after six, so I went home.

For the first time in a long time, I didn't write this blog in the morning. It's now 7:20 pm and all I'm going to say about yesterday is that I went somewhere with someone and then we went to dinner and it was an important day in my life.
Cryptic? Well, certainly, and that's how it will remain.

Yesterday was almost all Breeze, almost all the time. I did manage to get in touch with the woman at Holy Spirit who sent me on the wild goose chase on Monday. As I suspected, she had had a lapse and just got mixed up. She apologized profusely and I accepted her apology. Okay, it's done, it's over, and I'll move on.
Spent roughly six hours in front of the computer forwarding completed articles to Senior Publishing, and what a chore. It sounds so straightforward, but all kinds of questions and problems come up. Some of the stuff has to be retyped, some recast in standard English, and there are considerations of other kinds, too. Natalie, my contact at SP, couldn't receive (or it wasn't clear enough) one of my pictures, so asked me to send "the file." Wasn't sure what this meant and, after fooling around, couldn't do it. Finally, I asked Frank next door to help, and he sent it. In return, I gave him a piece of the cake left over from Sunday (ha!). It's very typical of Frank that he called me later to say how much he enjoyed it, and also to ask if the picture made it to Natalie all right. I hope and assume so, but it probably arrived after she left work, so I haven't heard back; will check now. I still don't know how to send picture files, though, and there are bound to be more.
Talked several times to Mary S., who I like more and more as I get to know her. She's done more on the paper than anybody and she's a silent partner. Being a trustee, she isn't listed on the editorial staff, so she doesn't get credit, either. I told her I was glad to do this for this issue, but am sure not going to continue until the others take their turns. Okay, we're on the same page.

What a day. After an ordinary start, it sped way up. Walked with Susan, as usual, then went to exercise at the clubhouse, had breakfast, and drove to B.J.'s to pick up supplies. Got home about 12:00 and Mary S. called, saying she'd be going to our Breeze newspaper meeting early and asked if I could, too. I barely had time to change, but got there okay. The owner, Bill, was very cordial and forthcoming about info on the venture, but I've been there, done that. That's okay, though. After he left, we had a regular meeting and I was asked to be the liaison in touch with our rep at the publishing company, Natalie. When I got home, I called her to introduce myself, so all that was okay.
After changing, I intended to go the the cemetery to water the flowers, but before I left, I idly looked at my e-mail. What was this? A message from the woman at Holy Spirit, with the write-up on Pat--word for word, from the obit I wrote, but that's okay--but also a mention of the "Sports Awards Ceremony" tonight at 7:00, at which he'll be a part.
What!? What ceremony? Isn't the scholarship award ceremony on the 18th? I tried to call the woman, then anybody at the school, but of course, by this time, everybody was gone. I jumped in the car, drove the 25 miles to Holy Spirit and tried to find somebody--anybody--to tell me if I had the date wrong for the scholarship award or what. Nobody knew, of course, and after questioning the baseball coach--there was a game going on--and cleaning people, I was stumped. Finally drove all the way home, changed, slapped on some makeup, and drove back.
Got there and went in the auditorium to see trophies lined up on the stage and people arranging them. Appealed to several, showed them the e-mail I had printed out, and they consulted others, made phone calls, and were very accommodating. The upshot was, my husband had no "part" in the awards ceremony last night, the scholarship ceremony was still on, and I drove a total of a hundred miles to no purpose.
Oh, well. Got home and settled in with my popcorn and wine. Received a phone call from sister Betty--she rarely calls in the evening--then one from friend, Mary H., then from a high school friend, Jeanne P. After a long talk, we decided to meet for dinner in Lambertville next week. Stumbled to bed and woke up late--at 6:00--this morning.
Today has gotta be better than yesterday.

Had a lovely Mother's Day. P. and N. called in the morning and we had a good chat. The family got here right at 4:00 and I greatly enjoyed seeing all of them, especially the little boys. We ate about 5:30 and I was glad to see most of the food was gone when we finished. Put the boys in the kitchen and we were in the dining room, which worked out well (as long as Joel could keep an eye on them). I set up a buffet in the kitchen and all helped themselves.
After dessert (vanilla cake), I opened my presents. Besides the orchid garden from Mike, I got a beautiful bracelet from P. and N. (I'm sure she made it herself) and a wonderful Beethoven disc from Ellen. She called just as the rest were leaving about 7:30 (most have to go to work today) and, as ever, we had a good talk.
I finished cleaning up, then had my wine--sans popcorn, as I was stuffed, I'm afraid--and went happily to bed.
Wonderful day, wonderful family, and what a lucky mother I am.

At almost the last minute, I decided to go to the Gene London show at Boscov's. It was crowded, but I got a good seat. This guy had a children's T.V. show--"Cartoon Corners"--from Philly years ago, then became a fashion designer. He's very tall and slim, a nice-looking man and has obviously had some work done on his face. Late in the program, he revealed that he's 79! Yoicks--and he still can't keep from hamming it up! The show was mildly enjoyable, though I found his talk tedious. He told yarns about the big stars; many of his stories were surely invented. The fun part was when he introduced models wearing reproductions of sumptuous gowns from movies: Gone With The Wind, Gilda, Masquerade, and others.
Stopped at the supermarket for last-minute stuff, then went home and started cooking. I made slymphie stew, chili, and baked and iced a vanilla cake. If it had fallen apart, I would have made a trifle, but it didn't; made vanilla icing, then decorated it with ceramic flowers. (I always have to remind people they're not edible.) Will make the green salad and chicken salad today. I'll put the five adults in the dining room and the four little boys in the kitchen.

Went to the cemetery early to water the plants. I suddenly began to grieve and called sister Betty; we cried together and I felt better.
Meant to stop at Santori's on the way home, but completely forgot. I had spoken earlier to fellow editorial staffer, Julie L., and we had some differences about our new community newsletter, The Breeze. Decided to call and ask if I could come over and talk about it. I did, and we ironed it out, I'm glad to say.
We'll have five adults tomorrow, and all four of the little boys, so thought I'd serve a salad, hot pasta and chili in the crock pots, cold cuts, rolls, and a trifle for dessert. Went to Shop-Rite to pick up most of the ingredients.
Looking forward to Mother's Day.