Eighty-Four

 Fooled around on the laptop, then started looking over the mounds of both paperwork and family memorabilia that needs to be filed. I'll get to it one of these days. 

I finally did something I've been meaning to and it actually worked: I videoed myself on YouTube reciting a poem of mine. Played it back and can see where I can improve. That was fun and I assume I can send it to others.  

Went over to Von's for bread and romaine, then saw some "fab five" bargains. I didn't have my cart, so I took the b. and r. home, then went back for Ritz, Planters, and Lean Cuisine--FAB FIVE! 

I sometimes wonder myself what this saving money thing is all about. I'm not rolling in dough, but I'm perfectly comfortable financially and my life style will not change if I save a dollar ten on peanuts. In fact, a dollar ten IS peanuts. Yet I'd rather starve than pay full price for something if I can get it for less. Must be the frugal way I was brought up, plus this "I win!" feeling if I get a bargain. Dunno.

The Zoom meeting turned out okay, I guess, although mine kept freezing and I think it's less effective with that many people. There were nine "windows" all Betty's surviving children and grandchildren were in on it, although the granddaughters in Chicago said almost nothing. My niece, Francine, with my brother, Frank, was in on it; he said almost nothing, too. Betty's best friend for the last 70 or so years ago, Pat Kennedy Hayes, was, too, and she said hardly a word. I think if you're having some kind of meeting and there's a leader, Zoom works with that many, but not so smoothly otherwise. Anyway, it was okay and I know Betty enjoyed it. She actually called me at 8:00, once she got back from Carolyn's. She seemed more spacey than ever, I'm afraid.

I got a Facetime call from my sweet baby boy, Mike, after dinner about 6:30 my time, 10:30 his, and a day ahead, so on my actual birthday today. He talked about his new job, at Apple, where he'll start on January fifth, as "Senior Manager for Travel Operations Strategy." He got a big fat "golden parachute" severance package from Rio Tinto, too, so he's in good shape.

The downside is that I developed a lousy cold, which is still going on. It's been years since I've had a cold, and this is a real bummer because it's my birthday Actually, I think it's kind of fitting, too: It goes along with the bummer of being eighty-four years old. Nobody wants to be eighty-four, unless they're ninety-four.    

Stress And Tippi Hendren

 Did I indicate that stressful times were over? They aren't.  I called Yandoo Communications and after a great deal of travail, upgraded my Internet connection. Ellen then called to put me on Zoom, as planned, but in a few minutes, I again got the "Internet connection is unstable" message. El walked me through shutting down my laptop, then putting it on again. I thought I had done that, but I had actually not done it properly. 

After that, we talked on Zoom and she showed me some of her students' haiku--pretty good, some of them. She also read me one of her students' story, which was excellent. Hard to believe a third-grader wrote it and with this virtual school, there could arise the suspicion that a parent or older sibling did. In this case, though, teacher had the children write a synopses while she was on-line with them. It was really remarkable.

Finally finished--for the moment--with electronic crapola, I had lunch, then bused to Telephone Road. Walked from there to the Cricket store to ask something about my phone, then to Office Max. I thought I'd take the 11 home, but my phone said it wouldn't come for 17 minutes and I'm so damn impatient, I started walking. Before I knew it, I was back on Victoria and took the 21 to Telegraph.  (I'm going to resist recording my walking mileage because I think I'm getting obsessive about adding it here.) 

I finished watching Pulp Fiction (bizarre, violent, but somehow interesting) last night and started The Birds. Most of the old movies I bought stand up well to present-day, but that honker isn't one of them. For openers, the story-line is ludicrous, and not just the vicious birdies concept, but the rest of it. I guess I've gotten used to seamless photo splicing, but when Tippi drives a convertible and motor boat, the background is so obviously added in, you cringe. As for the star herself, I read a review years ago stating that her acting would be an appropriate gift for a couple on their wooden wedding anniversary, and there's a reason I remember this after all this time. To top it off, the script is silly and as for Alfred's direction--well, he didn't have much to work with.  (But oh, well, the movie is 57 years old and Tippi is 90, so maybe I should cut it--and her--a break.)

T.O.P.S. And Target

 Home: 125.8, so I'm down by .04; T.O.P.S.; 126.9, so down .02. I was up a tad last week, but no worries, as I think these are just normal variations.  Only the four of us were there again. There was some suggestion about meeting next Friday--on Christmas Day? Come on! However, we will meet on New Year's Day, which is fine by me;  I haven't gone out for riotous times in decades.

After breakfast--which, as always on Fridays because of T.O.P.S., I didn't get until almost ten--I was on the Internet and the phone for the boring reasons listed below. Cleaned up the Christmas stuff a bit--a little bit--and otherwise occupied myself. Nephew Jim texted that he had sent the disk of my Dad at Villanova via Fed Ex and included a photo of the receipt, so I'll get that shortly.

Lunched, then loaded a number of books into my cart and walked the footpath to the park. I left off the books, acquiared some new ones, then walked to Ralph's for blueberries. Bused home, but deviated to Von's for shredded cheese and grapes. Ellen called while I was still in the shopping center and we talked about today, when she'll guide me through the Sunday Zoom call. Also mentioned Monday, my birthday, when she'll come here and bring lunch.

                                                               XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

(Note: Below I'm recording some boring business stuff, so I can look it up later if I need to.)

 I called Yandoo Communications and upgraded my Internet connection from 10 megabytes to 25. It's only an additional $13.50 and change and I can revert back when I want to. Doesn't seem to me there's any change in speed, but it seem okay before, too.

Also dealt with that web site from Hell, Target's. I've always had great difficulty in maneuvering in it and yesterday was no exception. There was a seven-minute wait the first two times I called, but will try later. All I want to do is pay my bill! Finally got somebody and he guided me and, believe it or not, he agreed it's a lousy web site. You'd think when you click on "My Account," you would see what was on your account, but no--you have to go to "manage red card," which isn't even very prominent. Anyway, I'm putting here in case I need to refer to it another time.

Jim, Carolyn, And Civil Defense

Okay, I'm a tad less harried, I guess. Jim called early to thank me for the Christmas card. He's unbelievably--well, "otherworldly," you could say. He was amazed that I made the card from decorative stamps and wrote the little rhyme for him. It was good to talk to him and I was pleased that he finally got to the systems person and was able to modify his class as needed. Suzanne texted me how much she liked my card, too. 

I spent a long time scanning, then trying to retrieve a document regarding my father's work--I assume, as a volunteer, although I'll look that up--as a civil defense person during WWII. I scanned both sides, but couldn't seem to call it up. Asked my boys for advice and finally got it to work; the documents are below.

Went to Von's and while I was there, Carolyn called. She asked if, instead of me going to see Betty, that she (Carolyn) would bring her here on Monday morning, our actual birthday. That sounds like a good plan, so that's what we'll do. 

I set out for Smart 'N' Final after lunch and boy, was it windy and chilly. After walking out of the complex, I went back and got gloves and a wool hat, which helped. Picked up a few things at Dollar Tree and romaine at S 'N' 'F, so got three in, at least.

Called El when I got home and we chatted. She'll be less busy this evening, when her last class for the semester is over, so we'll talk then, too.

This is why Absecon Island wasn't invaded by the enemy!

Wednesday

Still scurrying around, but things are winding down. I spent the entire morning (several hours) making and finishing up my Christmas card list. When I looked up, I saw it was almost 1:00 and I had to rush to make my sandwich, get my lunch packed, and go out to meet Jim.

It was so pleasant outside: sunny and about 70, with just a gentle breeze. I was a bit annoyed that a workman was using a million-decibel blower to clear leaves near us, but he left before too long. Poor Jim is having a terrible time with his intro to logic class. He has to boil down an 18 meeting class to 8 meetings and is so ignorant of the Internet, it's terribly difficult for him. He does have until March, but the systems support is so inadequate at the college, it's incredible. He had to leave at 2:00 because the person he needs to consult on this is available only from 2:00 to 3:00 for certain disciplines. I'll call him in a few days to see how he made out.

After, I bussed into town for the first time in what seems like weeks. It was depressing to see the difference from last time I was there. Two of my favorite restaurants, Lure Fish House and Finney's Craft place, and all the other restaurants which had been thriving with their outside dining, can no longer could serve there. They have takeout and delivery, but that's all. Even on this lovely day, there were very few people walking on Main Street. I stopped in a few places and bought two more DVDs, walked my mile or so, then left.

Called Betty's daughter to see if I could visit Betty on Friday or Saturday. I asked her to decide and let me know. Either way will be fine with me; I know she's very nervous about the virus, so if it would make her uncomfortable, I definitely do understand and won't go.

Betty herself called to say she had gotten my Christmas card (personalized with a rhyme). Carolyn had told me she had also got a cortisone shot in her knee, but Betty didn't mention it. I'm glad it's helping.

Suzanne left me a card at the door. It's a picture of a poinsettia made by a fellow Sister and, same as last year, she didn't write on either it or the envelope, so I could "use it again." This may seem odd, but I think it's rather endearing. Last year, she gave me a kind of "constructed" card that was very attractive and this year, I did, indeed, send it. I save cards for a few years; I cut up the picture on one from 2017 for Steve and Robyn's card. Anyway, I like the idea.

Tuesday

Hectic continues to describe my days. Betty's daughter-in-law, Robyn, called and asked if I'd include myself in a birthday Zoom plan. Yeah, sure, but just arrange things with Ellen. I'm not really anxious to participate, but of course, I will. They were planning for our siblings to be "on," too. Oh, really? My brother, Frank, is more ga-ga than Betty and our 84-year-old brother in Bangkok, according to his daughter, neither sees nor hears very well, so is pretty slow on the uptake. Also, it's thirteen hours or so ahead there, so it would be the middle of the night for both him and my boys. Anyway, they can work it out.

I had bought a card from the dog for my niece's son and daughter and can't find it anywhere--I must have lost it. I walked down to the market on Victoria (1 1/2 mi.) to buy another, then realized it was at another store. Walked back to Telephone Road and caught the 11 bus to that one, got the card, then walked over to Office Max where I finally found an address book. 

Didn't get home until after 5:00. I called Jim and we had a long talk; invited him to lunch today and I'm happy to say he accepted. I'm just at a low ebb for various reasons--the season, for one, and my birthday, for another. I think the Zoom thing is planned for the day before--Sunday--and I'll ask Carolyn is she has any problem with me visiting Betty on Monday, our actual birthday.  

I heard from Dr. Keihani's office and the news is mixed: The cost is much better, but there's a waiting period until May. I'm going to consult some people and decide what I want to do. 

El called and we discussed my birthday, the Zoom call, and Christmas. She'll come here for the B.day, which is actually Monday, and I'll stay overnight there on Christmas Eve. That's something to look forward to, anyway.

I called Jim to ask if he's available for lunch today. He is, so that's something else to look forward to, instead of this damn dreary disease dreck. 

Me Active, Santa Asleep

BUSY!  But, finally, at long last, I've got all the Christmas packages sent. I spent several hours in the morning selecting which wrapping paper to use (I have reams left from last year), deciding for most of them simply green and red tissue. That's mostly to cut down on the weight as much as possible, but also, I kind of think it looks homey and old-fashioned, in a pleasant way. 

When I was a kid, my mother almost always wrapped all the presents in tissue paper. I figure that was because 1.) the big onslaught of fancy this and that, including wrapping paper, hadn't happened yet and 2.) Mom was frugal and, as today, tissue was less expensive. Aha! And I just remembered that our gifts would be tied with yarn! I doubt if Mom ever went out and bought the curly kind of ribbon, if it even existed then. I made my own gift tags with white paper and various types of Christmas stickers, too.

I also finally finished the Christmas cards I made for some people. What a chore! The personalized little rhymes were easy enough, but stamping the card stock (I have plain white heavy note paper) was problematic. It was very difficult to get the image right--the Christmas tree, for instance, would fade out here and there. However, I finally did them. I took them to the P.O. in the morning and the packages in the afternoon.

There was a long line there, out the door and down the sidewalk. It took 35 or so minutes for me to get in and when I finally got them mailed, it was almost 4:00. I had thought I'd go over to Office Max to get a desk calendar, but it would have been after 5:00 and dark by the time I got home, so I just postponed for today . 

I had texted Suzanne about the lease thing, but she didn't get one, either. Neither did Chuck, across the way, so we're all puzzled. She rang my bell and we stood outside and talked for a half hour or so. What we think is this: They're sending those who pay more (because they're more recent renters) the lease because they want to keep them. They're not offering this to the long-timers, because they pay quite a bit less. I think Suzanne, here 23 years, pays $75 less than I do and Chuck's (28 years) rent is probably less than hers.  

Last evening, I got a call from Big Island Candies, a favorite of son, Mike (he owns a house in Hawaii), where I had ordered gift cards for both my boys. I had asked if they ship to Tokyo and Singapore and yes, they do, but this woman wanted to tell me the postage costs there: over sixty bucks, no matter what size the order! That is simply outrageous, so I rescinded the orders. Damn! I'm going to email them what happened, think of something else, and tell them Santa fell asleep on the job.