Laulks-a-mercy-me! I slept until 6:40, for heaven's sake, and only had time to dress, gulp some coffee, and get out the door to pick up Susan for our walk. Am just now getting blogtime, but...
It's no problem because yesterday, after our regular walk, nothing much went on. I didn't set foot outside all day; didn't even unlock the car. Washed, dried, and folded loads of laundry, cleaned the guest bath, and puttered around. Spent time on the couch reading Vanity Fair while Pat watched the Eagles trounce--well, I can't remember who they played, but they won their last game of the year.
Sounds boring, but it was curiously satisfying because the weather was overcast and gloomy, my least favorite. We were snug and warm by ourselves in our comfortable home and sometimes, I need that.
I was sorry to hear from Alison, though, that the New Year's Day hike is probably not a good idea for me. She said it includes crossing a bridge over a river, fairly high up, that has spaces in between the ties. In addition, the hikers must negotiate a stream by balancing on rocks. She is concerned that one or both would be a problem for me and I agree--but darn! I was looking forward to it so much. However, I saw on the web site (Outdoor Club of South Jersey) that a four-mile hike to Apple Pie Hill is scheduled for the sixth. I'm going to sign up for that; maybe Alison would come, but I'll go myself, if not.
This is the last day of 2007. So? The last day of the year comes every 365 days. I have no particular ideas on the subject, resolutions to make, or deep, philosophical thoughts, except I'm glad I'm alive.
And for you reading this: I'm glad you're alive, too.

Susan and I walked with umbrellas again, but the heavier downpour had passed by 7, and we actually enjoyed the gentle rain. It was warm, too--in the fifties--so that was pleasant.
Rest of day was mundane, but okay. Needed to replenish our supply of paper products, so I made the mistake of going to Wal-Mart. On Saturday. The Saturday after Christmas
It was jammed, of course. Finally got what I wanted and escaped with my life. Stopped at Shop-Rite, then Acme, and got salmon for dinner for me, country ribs that I barbecued for Pat. Went to the library and the liquor store (words and wine, folks, a glorious combination), to replenish my supplies in those areas, too.
Talked to Barb H., who told me neighbor Anne Mary doesn't have pneumonia after all; possibly, it was post-nasal drip. She was probably released yesterday and is up north with friends. At Wal-Mart, I found a note card with a picture of a white miniature poodle that looked just like her Eddie. Used it to combine a few paragraphs of "get well" and "thank you" (she had given me a candle for Christmas), and sent it off.
After dinner, we were delighted to get a web cam call from Ellen. She had hooked it up herself and it was fun talking to, and seeing her. She showed us small, graceful Tillie and hulking Sebastian (18 pounds!) and even moved the camera part around the room, so we could see that, too. Still no official word from the owners of the condo, but we figure they'd get in touch in the new year.
After about 20 minutes, Mike called Ellen, so we hung up with her. He may call us tonight, but not sure. Ellen had called Alison earlier and so had I, but there was no answer. Since it rang, I think they just weren't home, not that it wasn't hooked up.

Spent a quiet Friday, mostly at home after WW. Changed beds, did wash, and cleaned up around the house. Betty called and we had a good talk--hope her compter gets better soon, so she can resume her blog.
Went to Acme. Ran into Barb H. while I was there and we chatted for awhile. She told me our neighbor, Anne Mary, is in the hospital up north (northern Jersey, that is) with a "broncospasm." I assume that's not a jittery horse, but some kind of breathing problem.
Was intrigued by a long article in The NYTimes on food, diet, and weight and sent it to Betty and Pat R. It was run in September, but I just found it. In my dim and fumbling way, I've been espousing what the author does: less meat, more plant foods, and--most important--take in fewer calories. Avoid what your great-grandmother would not recognize as food, meaning the thousands of heavily-processed stuff that fills the supermarket shelves. Understand that the gigantic food industry is not your friend. Also understand that the stinking hand of politics reaches even into the sacred domain of food. Further understand that it a product makes health claims, it probably isn't good for you. Read labels.
For anyone else who wants to read this, go to the NYTimes web site and put "Unhappy Meals" (by Michael Pollan), in its search engine.

I had to take Ellen to the airport yesterday--sob! It's always a wrench and we both cried, but only a little. Had no problem getting there. Since I'm notorious for being early, I dropped her off at 11:30 for a 2:30 flight. Just got an e-mail from her to the effect she arrived safely and is back home with the kitties. The big news is that, although it isn't "official" yet, her RE agent thinks the owners will accept her offer for the condo--yahoo! As I wrote Ellen, I'd give anything to be able to go out there and help her move, but with Pat's health, I'm afraid that isn't an option.
Stopped at Santori's on the way home and bought 30 dollars worth of produce. Went over to Susan's to welcome her back from Connecticut; we'll resume our morning walk today. Made Pat chicken and I had a little slice of his, along with veggies, for dinner.
Nothing much else going on. Today, I have a whole list of chores to complete and errands to run; I had much more important things to do recently--being with my daughters.
Will go to Weight Watchers this morning. I think I've gained some, which isn't unlikely considering holiday eating. However, I'm not concerned about it, as I'm back in the groove and know any weight gain is temporary.
Later: Interestingly, I stayed the same--still at 148.4, with 51.2 pounds off. That's not bad, as it gives me a clue about the real challenge ahead: maintaining the weight loss. I figure I overate on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Significantly, though, I didn't deviate through the whole day, only at dinner and after. Hmm...

Enjoyed another vigorous day of hiking with my D.D.s yesterday. Ellen and I met Alison in charming little Chatsworth (about a 40 minute drive) at 11:00 am and she drove us to Atsion Park. We left the car by the side of the road, then entered one of the trails. Ellen had said she wanted to climb the fire tower at the top of Apple Pie Hill, so A. led us the mile or so there. We were pleased to find about 30 members of A.'s outdoor group having lunch on the hill. They had come from the opposite direction--about 4 miles. While Ellen went up the tower, not quite to the top, we chatted and enjoyed the view of the surrounding pinelands. Just from the hill, it was beautiful; you saw nothing but the tree line all the way to the horizon, with a deep blue haze far away.
A. then took us Tabernacle, another tiny village, and the girls got deli sandwiches at "Nixon's," the general store. I had brought my lunch, but was out of lettuce, so packed some good ole (cooked) broccoli, a hard-boiled egg, and a bunch of grapes. I was so hungry the cold broccoli tasted wonderful and so did everything else.
Now A. took us to Osego Lake--yoicks!
Years ago, Pat, Patrick, and I had been there kayaking with A. and Mike in the summer, but yesterday was very overcast and this was just a bit scary. We drove way, way out into the forest, then walked partly around the lake on an unpaved road, full of deep holes, mud, and water . It seemed completely deserted for miles around, and by this time, the overcast sky had darkened and rain started to fall. We entertained ourselves by coming up with lurid headlines:
"Three women walked into the pines on Wednesday and no trace has been found...."
We did see and hear a whole flock of magnificent trumpeter swans across the lake, but after I slipped on the red mud and almost covered my shoes, we walked the mile back.
It was a wonderful day, rain and mud notwithstanding. Alison and Ellen said their goodbyes and E. and I drove home about 4:00.
After dinner, we tried to call/webcam Mike. He wasn't in yet, but called us back. Ellen and I talked to, and saw, him and adorable little Vivian for more than an hour. V. showed me the presents I had sent, holding up and explaining each one. She then kept running off to get other toys to show us, including an odd-looking doll she named "Luka." Finally, she appeared in a pretty dress-up dress, pink with chiffon and sequins. Of course, we told her how lovely she looked and she ate it up. What a little sweetie!
In the meantime, Alison's Mike was connecting her web cam and we were able to talk to her, but not yet see her. I'm sure he'll have it finished soon.
Went to bed at an ungodly hour for me--10:00 pm. Now I have the sad task of taking Ellen to the airport. It's been so good to have her here--I hope, hope, hope she might be able to come back in the summer.

We had a very nice Christmas--quieter than many, but good. Exchanged greetings with brother Jim and Betty, and was so happy to tell them about the baby coming. Called brother Larry, as Betty had told me his Helen was in the hospital. She had had some trouble breathing and was waiting for a cardiac procedure. Luckily, it seems not to be extremely serious.
Ellen and I prepared as much as possible early in the day, as I always try to do, and we enjoyed doing it together. Alison, Mike, and M.'s brother, David, got here about 4, having shared noontime "dinner" with M.'s mother, Mavis, in the assisted living facility. The pork was good and the vegetables I roasted with them superb. Got the recipe off the Internet and it's very easy. I had the butcher cut the large, boneless roast in half, to make about four pounds for last night. There's enough left over to give Pat hot pork sandwiches tonight.
Ate at a little before 6 after chatting and laughing together. I had set on the living room table the digital picture frame Mike gave me for my birthday, and we watched it periodically. Ellen had figured out how to transfer my own pictures on to it and we even saw the ones from Christmas Eve at Alison's.
After dinner, we opened our presents. The girls were amazed and thrilled to receive the web cams from Mike. (To avoid violating the terms of our Christmas exchange, he had written that Alison's was a late birthday gift, and Ellen's an early one.) Paula also sent unique and lovely little ornaments to Alison, Ellen, and me. I was given an elephant and a ball, Alison a rat (2008 is the year of the rat), and Ellen a cat.
We decided to call the expecting parents and I did. Paula answered the phone and said they were at the Singapore port, ready to disembark after their cruise (it was the 26th over there). She's suffering from "morning sickness," but for most of the day, unfortunately. I sympathized with her, remembering how uncomfortable that is, but she should be over it in a few more weeks. Mike then came in from breakfast with Vivian and we all chatted with him. He managed to corral V. long enough to have her say, "Merry Christmas" before she charged away. He told us she said she wanted "a brown baby" and would give it milk and wouldn't beat it. (Where in the world did she get that?)
A., E., and I decided to skip Longwood Gardens in favor of a hike today in Atsion Forest--a great idea Ellen suggested. (I don't care where we go, as long as I'm with my D.D.s.)
After Alison, Mike, and David left, I stayed up with Pat and Ellen for a half hour to watch a show we happened to come across. It was about the changed, and greatly enhanced, lives of people who had won big in lotteries.
During this holiday season, I feel as if I've won the best lottery prize there is--the life one.
An afterthought: Betty pointed out that Byrne descendants seem to be populating the earth. Her Wes and Katy are expecting in May, Larry's granddaughter is pregnant, both of Frank's daughters are due shortly, and now Vivian will be a big sister. Also, Betty's grandson, Finn, at six and a half, is the oldest of the younger set (some grandkids, some great-grands). How many, Betty?