Slow Sunday And Some Final Pics

I had vowed to hold off putting out Christmas decorations until two weeks ahead, so yesterday, I put out Christmas decorations.  😜

I have an excuse, though: I'm going to the Soaring Spirits Christmas dinner tonight and we always have an ornament exchange. It's not mandatory, but I thought I'd look and see if I have one. It turns out I don't, but what I do have is enough Christmas crapola to make Santa swear off gift-giving for life. It's all packed in three small upper cupboards--I have so little storage space--and I got it all out. I put some around, but I have a bunch left over for which I have no room and besides, I just. have. too damn much.

Other than that, nothing much goin going on. Walked over to Von's for onions and rice crackers, did this and that, then took a nap, as I had slept so poorly. I always set the alarm, usually for an hour and a half, which I've found is enough to revive me. 

Ellen called and we had a lovely chat; I missed her a lot when I was in Jersey. I asked if she wanted any decorations and she might, so good, maybe I can foist some on her.

Annoyingly, it rained on and off through the day and it might today. Hope it clears soon.   Slept like a stone, I'm glad to report, and didn't get up until 5:45. here are a few more pics from my east coast sojourn:

Ventnor pier:  cloudy and cold, but the rain held off that day...

Ditto.

 

Betty's house--we had lots of good times and some not-so-good there.

Ventnor City Hall; I always thought and still do, it's the most beautiful and stately I've ever seen.

And that's going to be it for Nostalgia Time; it's off to the present for me!

Same Ol' Saturday

Back in the grove: Forgot to mention I had called Jim Friday evening to invite him to lunch on Saturday. He accepted and we also had a good talk. Got up at at good time for me--5:45--and started my day.*

I really didn't have much to choose from for lunch; rummaged in the freezer and came up with half of a Voila! meal and decided on that. Also had in there blueberries and whipped cream. I didn't have any cake to put them on, but softened the cream and whisked it into something like a sweeter crème fraiche. 

But about a half hour before Jim was due (at 12:30), I got the Voila! out and realized it wasn't really enough for two people. Looked further and saw the Angelo's frozen vegetable lasagna, which I had just bought at Von's for the first time. Stuck the other back in the freezer, revved up the oven--damn, it said 65 minutes to cook--and put it in. 

It turned out Jim was early, so we just sat and talked for 45 or so until it was ready. It was actually very good; I liked it and Jim loved it, devouring three fourths of it.  I'll buy it again. I added some rolls and butter and a side of grapes, plus the blueberries and cream for dessert. Naturally, it was accompanied by his cabernet and my IPA. 

Jim stayed until 4:00. I walked him out, cleaned up, then heard back from Diane and we'll meet at Urbane for lunch on Thursday. That makes three dates I have upcoming, always pleasurable for me. 

I came across this picture and was enchanted. It seems so thrillingly beautiful, yet dreamy and soft. The colors are lovely and see the lanterns and that pier. I want to go there and sleep in perfect peace.

I finally got up the nerve to talk to Jim about finding out who he owner of his apartment. Unfortunately, it seems she (M.J.C.) owns only his in his area, plus another some distance away. Later, he called me with a long, meandering set of directions on how to walk there from the transit center. I may or may not bother to pursue it.  

*But that was Friday into Saturday.  Lat night, Saturday into Sunday, I slept poorly. Woke up several times, fell back, but finally got up at 4:45. I feel rested enough, though, and will consider a nap later n the day.

A Fitful Rain On Friday

Back to T.O.P.S. and the usual convoluted weight report. At home, I first weighed in at 129.6, a five pound gain, then 127.6, for three pounds up. That made no sense, and at the meeting, I was 128.7 for a gain of a mere .01. (I don't even know how many ounces that is.)

Poor Sharon called me about 7:00 to say she wasn't going, as now her leg is infected. She has some very serious health problems and I feel so sorry for her; she said her husband is sick, too. Anyway, Julie picked me up and the meeting was okay; only she, Lennie, and Bev were there. Didn't get breakfast until after 10:00 and though I don't like it, I'm reconciled. 

I continued to dig out of all the things I left while I was away. The mail took me almost an hour, as Mike and Paula got a lot of financial stuff, plus some of mine necessitated follow-up. Received an email from Quest Diagnostics that my doctor had ordered lab work. I went over there and found they had no such order. It was impossible to reach them at headquarters, but I'll try to follow up on-line.

Called Bobbi to see how she's doing. She is finally finished the radiation, which exhausted her, but said now her stamina is starting to come back. Unfortunately, she had another health scare: She suddenly started to become breathless with slight exertion and the cause was found to be a malfunction of her pace maker. It was adjusted, but she spent a night in the hospital. 

After going over to Von's for eggs, I took a short (hour and a half) nap and felt good when I got up. I think my malaise may be because of the rain, which come down all drippy most of the day. It's chilly, too--weather just like I left in Jersey!  

Because I was away, I didn't get this until late, but I love it. From the Tokyo trio:

(Names obscured, of course, as the Daddy insists on that.)

Thursday And Some Graves

Slept fairly well, although I got up a little too early--at 4:30, but I felt good. Started the long process of washing clothes, putting things away, and generally getting back to my routine. Put in a first load of wash before breakfast and followed it later with the second.

I was pleased when Suzanne asked if I wanted to go to WinCo at 10:00. Yes, indeed, and I replenished the larder with a vengeance: got grapefruit, spinach, and a big sweet potato, as well as several pounds of chicken thighs (much tastier than white meat) and two large salmon patties. Added a few minor items and was pretty much caught up. Immediately after I got home, I started food prep, prominently including the grapefruit, sweet potato, and chicken. Had just a quick lunch, then noticed how bad the patio looked; trimmed and watered the geraniums and cleaned up some of the pine needles. 

Walked across the street to CVS and picked up some cream sherry.  Texted Lora to see if she's going to T.O.P.S. this morning, but she's in Vegas celebrating her anniversary. Texted Julie and she'll pick me up. The BCNN dinner is at the yacht club on Wednesday, but I'm not sure what time; hope Julie will pick me up for that, too. I also have the Soaring Sprits dinner on Monday. 

 After the salmon patty and veggies for dinner, I indulged in a glass of sherry while watching Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields on Netflix. Slept well.

I had problems sending photos from my phone last week--ran out of juice or something with Cricket, but now it's new month and I'm back in. Will add some pics here and there. Here I am at Pat's grave; my father-, mother-, and sister-in-law lie nearby. (Their stones were added decades later by my brother-in-law, Bill).

Damn, I can't seem to line the last three up, but so be it... 

Wending My Way Home On Wednesday

Another three-miler in the morning, then packing up, then at 10:30, it was off to Philadelphia Airport. Plane left on time, and I endured the usual: equal parts terror and boredom, interspersed with some interest in observing the other passengers.  The ride seem interminable and it wasn't helped by being jammed in like sardines, plus the occasional turbulence. And when the pilot breezily announced that we were pulling in five minutes late, I was frantic. I had reserved the 5:30 Airporter shuttle to Ventura and if I missed it, I'd have to wait another two hours in that godforsaken place. Happily, I made it and arrived at Four Points Sheraton at 7:30, where Suzanne was waiting to take me home.  Much as I loved my visit, it feels good to be here. My household and personal items, my setup, and my arrangements are familiar and just the way I want them, and that's satisfying.

I had had no lunch or dinner, so foraged in my freezer and kitchen closet, finally settling on a can of Chef-Boy-R-Dee spaghetti and meatballs. I never would have bought it myself, but somebody I knew who was moving gave it to me months ago and that's what I warmed up for dinner. It was about as far as you can get from homemade, but I was so hungry (hadn't had lunch or dinner), it was satisfying.

Jammies and warm, furry robe on and I was ready for bed before 9:00. I woke earlier than I like--4:35--but got up anyway, figuring my sleep pattern will even out soon. Ironically, I just looked at the weather and saw we might have like rain in the early evening. Hey, if I had wanted rain, I'd have stayed in Jersey! 😁

Tuesday, The Flying Pig, And Irene Cara

A 3.4 mile walk in the morning and I returned some books. Lunch and stuff, then it was off to Rancocas. From there, to Bordentown, then dinner at The Flying Pig. I again had a hamburger and this time, a good Blue Moon to go with it. 

I won't elaborate further except to say how much fun it was to be out at a proper pub, filled with young people and light and laughter and music and the assurance that--what was that song Irene Cara sang? Oh, yes: "I'm Going To Live Forever."  I've always loved it and it made a believer out of me.

Irene Cara Fame! I'm gonna live forever 1983 - YouTube

 However...

Irene Cara, ‘Fame’ and ‘Flashdance’ Singer, Dies at 63

Monday And A Trip To The Past

Got to Ventnor about 11:00, saw the Rosborough Avenue house. Nobody there and we couldn't get to the one on Washington Avenue, as road work was being done. Wanted to visit the Historical Society place at the library, but it wasn't open; in fact, it won't be until tomorrow and that's when I leave. That was disappointing, especially as I had donated items several years ago. 

Up to the boardwalk and a walk to the Atlantic City Line. There and back is about is three total, I guess, and it was sunny, but whew, chilly and windy. Here are the two of us--the Atlantic Ocean and me--on the Ventnor pier yesterday:

After that, it was lunch at Jo-Jo's Diner in Absecon (Pomona? Cologne? Not sure). I had a nice, greasy cheeseburger (I don't buy red meat, only indulge when I'm out) and it was so good. Ordinarily, I'd order a cold beer to go with it, but this being pokey New Jersey, that was out, so I had a coke.    

Stopped after at Laurel Memorial and visited Pat's grave* and that of Betty's husband and son. (I didn't remember the locations and a nice young man in the office led me to them.) 

After a full day, got in after 4:00. An hour later dinner, then gin rummy, and it was off to bed. Up at 5:00 to spend the last full day of my visit to God's Country (ha! I say that to Californians!).  

*This picture is from an earlier visit several years ago; I'm having some technical problem with my phone too long and involved to go into. Will include other pics when they're straightened out.