(This is actually the July 15 entry--jumped the gun in posting.)
Wednesday: Got some business stuff done (BOA, etc.) on-line and in person, then Ellen and I met Gregg for lunch. G. suggested we take Vivian to San Simeon and Hearst Castle today, and yes indeedy, that's what we'll do. In the afternoon, he went to work and Ellen cleaned up while I took a richly undeserved nap. Mike and Vivian didn't blow in in until after 4:00, as they had all kinds of hold-ups and traffic jams coming from LAX, but no matter, they were there and we were so happy to see them.
Vivian is a almost-eleven-year-old dynamo and perpetual motion machine, but so precious and adorable, she's enchanting. She had a whole list of things she wanted to do, including lots of shopping and Knott's Berry Farm and we'll try to do as much as possible.
Went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner, then Mike decided to go to his hotel and turn in after his long, long trip from Singapore. Ellen and Vivian went to to pool/hot tub, but I begged off. It was already after 8:00 and I was bushed.
NOTE: This is kinda eerie:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/magazine/the-mixed-up-brothers-of-bogota.html?_r=0
and from this blog, entry January 27, 2015:
At the store, I had an odd experience: I saw a woman who looked just like me. Now, I'm sure there are other women who look like me (especially in Ireland; I favor the paternal side), and maybe elsewhere, too, but I've never seen anyone with so striking a resemblance. I actually followed her around a bit and finally, wanting to see her more closely, I approached her, excused myself and said, "Are you Marilyn's mother?" "No," she said, rather curtly, and I apologized and moved on. I'm thinking about a possible play with a theme like this, as I've always been fascinated by the doppelganger idea. Later, when my friend came over, I told her about this and we mused over the idea that it wasn't me sitting there talking to her, but the woman in Acme.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Yesterday
Quick overview of yesterday: Saw several apartments, fell in love with one, but my children are adamant against it because it's on the second floor. It's also a bit over my price range, but maybe I can get around that. We looked at over places, some okay, some ugh, but it was only our first day, so we'll look more.
G. made us a delicious dinner: First, we toasted my arrival in champagne, then had a salad with a delicious cashew-based dressing, then the main course: perfectly done halibut on a bed of rice, with a saffron and raisin sauce. It was yummy. G. may follow some recipes, but most he seems to adapt, modify, and improve. He records the final meticulously and, I'm sure, invents some recipes himself.
We weren't finished until just about 8:00 so, as a good guest should, I left the two of them to clean up, took a shower and washed my hair, and was in beddy-by at 9 pm.
Mike and Vivian come in from Singapore today--yay!
G. made us a delicious dinner: First, we toasted my arrival in champagne, then had a salad with a delicious cashew-based dressing, then the main course: perfectly done halibut on a bed of rice, with a saffron and raisin sauce. It was yummy. G. may follow some recipes, but most he seems to adapt, modify, and improve. He records the final meticulously and, I'm sure, invents some recipes himself.
We weren't finished until just about 8:00 so, as a good guest should, I left the two of them to clean up, took a shower and washed my hair, and was in beddy-by at 9 pm.
Mike and Vivian come in from Singapore today--yay!
Monday, July 13, 2015
Palm Tree Country
When I opened my eyes this morning, I saw a glorious sight: One tall, majestic pine tree soaring to the sky. "I'm here," I thought, "I'M HERE!"
To regress: Flights weren't as bad as I thought they'd be. Slept at my friend's on Friday; had and great fun at the lake with great-grandsons on Saturday, then had Lisa, Rob, and Lindsay for dinner, That was my last night in Jersey, but I was too tired to philosophize over it.
Weather in Ventura is wonderful: warm-about 85,I guess--but with little humidity, it doesn't fee dense and horrible, but soft and comfortable. Got in about 8, left coast time, and was whisked away by Ellen; we stopped to eat, then I got home to my own room and bath at her place (oh, joy!). Fell into it shortly and had the best sleep I've had in ages.
I guess this entry is a bit disjointed, but I just can't help it. Still settling in and have a lot to do today,so want to close. More later, maybe--or not.
To regress: Flights weren't as bad as I thought they'd be. Slept at my friend's on Friday; had and great fun at the lake with great-grandsons on Saturday, then had Lisa, Rob, and Lindsay for dinner, That was my last night in Jersey, but I was too tired to philosophize over it.
Weather in Ventura is wonderful: warm-about 85,I guess--but with little humidity, it doesn't fee dense and horrible, but soft and comfortable. Got in about 8, left coast time, and was whisked away by Ellen; we stopped to eat, then I got home to my own room and bath at her place (oh, joy!). Fell into it shortly and had the best sleep I've had in ages.
I guess this entry is a bit disjointed, but I just can't help it. Still settling in and have a lot to do today,so want to close. More later, maybe--or not.
Friday, July 10, 2015
Last Days in Sunrise Bay
Well, here I am on Friday, July 10--my last day in Sunrise Bay, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. Hardly slept as the damn new fire detector kept chirping. However, Walter came over and fixed it somehow. C.O. guy came later, said all was well, and Walter can pick up the certificate on Monday.
Ray came about 9:00, as I had asked him to, and we loaded his van with stuff for the thrift store. Dropped it off and what a load off my mind. Later, I practically fille dmy car with junk and took it to the recycle center to dump. An even bigger load off my mind. Went to the office at the clubhouse and got pool badges and so on for Eileen.
Called Jack Bihlmier to say goodbye and was concerned to hear form his son, Joe, that Jack's in the hospital (SOCH). It seems he was dizzy and light-headed; they don't seem to know why. Also called Claire E., who was sorry to hear I'm leaving and we chatted.
Called Horizon and was very pleasantly surprised--amazed and incredulous, in fact--to discover it was a breeze to change addresses and that the premium would remain the same. Still haven't heard back from Allstate, though, about the tenant insurance or whatever it is.
Said I wanted to take my own car to the Dockside luncheon in my honor and got there at noon. There were seven there, all friends of long-standing. They gave me some lovely presents, including a book of postcards with some postcard stamps. Now I must write them and I will. We parted with many warm hugs and some tears--I get very emotional at times like this and so do they--and I drove to Bekins. Couldn't find anyone there, called and was told I don't pay until the stuff gets to California. Fine by me.
Now I'm in the library and still have more to do on the computer, so I'll close. Above is only the bare bones of what I did today and if I live through it all, I'll be surprised.
Oh, BTW: yesterday (Thursday), Susan and Walter took me to Uncle Will's on Long Beach Island for breakfast and July K. took me to Mystic Casino for lunch. In between, I know I worked my rear off with this and that, but I can't even remember what.
Ray came about 9:00, as I had asked him to, and we loaded his van with stuff for the thrift store. Dropped it off and what a load off my mind. Later, I practically fille dmy car with junk and took it to the recycle center to dump. An even bigger load off my mind. Went to the office at the clubhouse and got pool badges and so on for Eileen.
Called Jack Bihlmier to say goodbye and was concerned to hear form his son, Joe, that Jack's in the hospital (SOCH). It seems he was dizzy and light-headed; they don't seem to know why. Also called Claire E., who was sorry to hear I'm leaving and we chatted.
Called Horizon and was very pleasantly surprised--amazed and incredulous, in fact--to discover it was a breeze to change addresses and that the premium would remain the same. Still haven't heard back from Allstate, though, about the tenant insurance or whatever it is.
Said I wanted to take my own car to the Dockside luncheon in my honor and got there at noon. There were seven there, all friends of long-standing. They gave me some lovely presents, including a book of postcards with some postcard stamps. Now I must write them and I will. We parted with many warm hugs and some tears--I get very emotional at times like this and so do they--and I drove to Bekins. Couldn't find anyone there, called and was told I don't pay until the stuff gets to California. Fine by me.
Now I'm in the library and still have more to do on the computer, so I'll close. Above is only the bare bones of what I did today and if I live through it all, I'll be surprised.
Oh, BTW: yesterday (Thursday), Susan and Walter took me to Uncle Will's on Long Beach Island for breakfast and July K. took me to Mystic Casino for lunch. In between, I know I worked my rear off with this and that, but I can't even remember what.
Wednesday, July 08, 2015
Whatta Day
Gawd, what a day! I spent most of it driving here and there on urgent errands, such as getting more Tracphone minutes, receiving Walter, who brought over a fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide monitor, and zooming to Manahawkin to take Comcast's equipment back. Called Eileen, my tenant, to see if she could come over today; later, changed it to Thursday, much better for me and, she said, for her. Anyway, all this crapola took almost the whole day until I left for a goodbye dinner party about 4:15.
Now things started looking up: My twinnie, Betty, Helen C., Mary H., and Muckie D. treated me at Outback. I had steak, which was pretty good and a Blue Moon, which was excellent as ever. We had a good time together; these three are probably Betty's besties, and I've known them for a lotta years myself. I'll miss them, just as I'll miss a lot of others, but I must be about my new life.
Stopped at the cemetery on the way home--but to what purpose? I don't really think Pat's "there" in any true sense of the word, but even so, I felt just a tiny pang of shame that I was leaving him in Jersey. Silly, but there it is.
Back in Little Egg a bit before 8:00 and I stopped at the library for the third time. Can't get along without the computer, that's a cinch. I no sooner sat down when my friend called to ask if I wanted to go to the lake on Saturday with the darling boys, my great-grandsons. Yay! I was hoping I'd get another chance to be with them, so I'm looking forward to that.
The above was on Tuesday; following on Wednesday.
This was a rough one. Went to Ocean First to get a cashier's check to deposit at Bank of America, but was advised to wait to see if all automatic payments were over first--or something. Took the escrow check to Bank of America and opened that account. Also deposited the check from Betty (for the dining room set) in my checking account there. Had trouble understanding how to switch automatic payments to B of A, so will see if my son-in-law can help.
Called Humana (drug insurance) just to change my address and was put through the most horrendous, idiotic, and stupid phone call, first with a person (sort of), then with a recording. This went on for almost an hour--beyond belief.
In the meantime, my friend was cleaning the refrig and later, she and I slaved away cleaning the rest of the house. The C.O. guy came and said I need new fire detectors; friend went and got them and put one in, but wasn't able to do the other three. I called Bill to see if he would or if he can give me Matt's number.
And hey, a lot of other lees-than-pleasant things went on, I just don't feel like recording them.
I'm now at the Stafford Library--just thought I'd vary the formula from Little Egg.
Now things started looking up: My twinnie, Betty, Helen C., Mary H., and Muckie D. treated me at Outback. I had steak, which was pretty good and a Blue Moon, which was excellent as ever. We had a good time together; these three are probably Betty's besties, and I've known them for a lotta years myself. I'll miss them, just as I'll miss a lot of others, but I must be about my new life.
Stopped at the cemetery on the way home--but to what purpose? I don't really think Pat's "there" in any true sense of the word, but even so, I felt just a tiny pang of shame that I was leaving him in Jersey. Silly, but there it is.
Back in Little Egg a bit before 8:00 and I stopped at the library for the third time. Can't get along without the computer, that's a cinch. I no sooner sat down when my friend called to ask if I wanted to go to the lake on Saturday with the darling boys, my great-grandsons. Yay! I was hoping I'd get another chance to be with them, so I'm looking forward to that.
The above was on Tuesday; following on Wednesday.
This was a rough one. Went to Ocean First to get a cashier's check to deposit at Bank of America, but was advised to wait to see if all automatic payments were over first--or something. Took the escrow check to Bank of America and opened that account. Also deposited the check from Betty (for the dining room set) in my checking account there. Had trouble understanding how to switch automatic payments to B of A, so will see if my son-in-law can help.
Called Humana (drug insurance) just to change my address and was put through the most horrendous, idiotic, and stupid phone call, first with a person (sort of), then with a recording. This went on for almost an hour--beyond belief.
In the meantime, my friend was cleaning the refrig and later, she and I slaved away cleaning the rest of the house. The C.O. guy came and said I need new fire detectors; friend went and got them and put one in, but wasn't able to do the other three. I called Bill to see if he would or if he can give me Matt's number.
And hey, a lot of other lees-than-pleasant things went on, I just don't feel like recording them.
I'm now at the Stafford Library--just thought I'd vary the formula from Little Egg.
Tuesday, July 07, 2015
Back at the You Know Where...
Here I am back at the library at 10:21 on Tuesday.
Because my friend's huge roll of bubble wrap (for which she paid 25 bucks) was gone, I stopped at Bekins about 8 am. The guys who moved me were all there, but they swore up and down they didn't take it. My friend called later and when I told her that, she figured they must have used it to wrap my stuff, not knowing it wasn't theirs. They also taped and took away her box of other packing material. After I leave here, I'm going to the Bekins office to see if I can get something back for it.
Walter came to put a fire extinguisher under my sink and plug a carbon monoxide detector in the wall. I can't imagine how I lived there for 13 years without either--let alone the multitude decades I survived without them before.
Betty called to ask me to call her when the movers got there and left. Times were 9:27 to 10:01. Geez, they were so efficient I think I should have had them instead of Bekins. Now I have no furniture whatever except my bed (and my buyers will pick that up on Friday) and the two stools in the kitchen and office chair, which I intend to leave.
Must get into my bank account and other things to change addresses. May come back to virtual "here" later in the day.
Because my friend's huge roll of bubble wrap (for which she paid 25 bucks) was gone, I stopped at Bekins about 8 am. The guys who moved me were all there, but they swore up and down they didn't take it. My friend called later and when I told her that, she figured they must have used it to wrap my stuff, not knowing it wasn't theirs. They also taped and took away her box of other packing material. After I leave here, I'm going to the Bekins office to see if I can get something back for it.
Walter came to put a fire extinguisher under my sink and plug a carbon monoxide detector in the wall. I can't imagine how I lived there for 13 years without either--let alone the multitude decades I survived without them before.
Betty called to ask me to call her when the movers got there and left. Times were 9:27 to 10:01. Geez, they were so efficient I think I should have had them instead of Bekins. Now I have no furniture whatever except my bed (and my buyers will pick that up on Friday) and the two stools in the kitchen and office chair, which I intend to leave.
Must get into my bank account and other things to change addresses. May come back to virtual "here" later in the day.
Monday, July 06, 2015
Moving Day Continues
This is the third post of the day--ha, ha! I'm now at the Tuckerton Library at 8:18pm; Little Egg branch isn't open Monday evenings. I'm hanging out here this late because I want to get home just in time to take a shower, then go to bed at my usual 9:00. I figure I can have my wine and read my Kindle (still on Barbara Sinatra's bio), then be able to fall asleep. But I'm leaving--back tomorrow, not sure what
time.
time.
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