I 💖 September

September is my favorite month. Last year, September was stressful--preparing for the move. This year, we're going away for five nights. two in Lewes, DE and three in Ocean City, MD. It took a while to find the right hotels online. I found three or four breweries and a winery in the area; we enjoy going for tastings. I've done a little research on restaurants and have a recommendation from our neighbors. Need to check out some nice stores. Looking forward to this getaway.

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Labor Day Weekend is over, but summer isn't  But, I'm already seeing signs of fall--acorns along the walkways, leaves tracked into the entryways. (The latter is my least favorite sign of fall.) Despite a few early days with temperature in the nineties, the temperature has moderated. A few mornings have had temps in the 60's.

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I've lost a lot of weight over the past four years (since Jace joined us, a coincidence or a cause?) Anyway, I finally got rid of a lot of clothes that I held onto. At one point, I realized I only had two long-sleeved blouses. Then I realized that I didn't have appropriate pants or skirt for a memorial service for our neighbor this Friday.. So, I went shopping today and luckily found something to wear. I never expected to need to get clothes because I was getting smaller, but that's what's been happening. 

Can't wait to our getaway.

End of August Summer Thoughts

 Around mid-August, I start thinking about whether I did any summer things. While I was thinking about mid-August, it became late August. I keep thinking about this this song. 

I didn't bother to make a summer fun list this year. But I was thinking of my past lists last week when I ordered a lobster roll (the Connecticut version with hot butter.) Lobster rolls are relatively rare on Maryland menus. I should also make a mojito salad--that also means summer to me. 

Yesterday I went swimming in our condo pool for the first time. What the hell was I waiting for? It felt great to get back in the water even if it was only for a short time. I was inspired by a neighbor who told me the pool will close on Labor Day. I need to get more swimming in. 

Jeff and I have plans for a getaway for our anniversary. We're going to Ocean City, Maryland for the first time. We have a room with an ocean view and balcony. It will be a nice way to close out the summer. 

Closing Out March

Last week we visited Jeff's sister in North Carolina. We drove down on Monday, and were glad we got to spend more time with her than expected. We also visited with Jeff's other sister, our brother-in-law, and niece. We even met our three-year-old great niece. 

The visit was intense and tiring. The return trip was horrible, taking about two hours longer than normal. We picked up Jace from our friends' Thursday evening. It had been our first trip without him. It was nice knowing that Jace was happy to to stay with our friends. 

Traveling without a dog made things much easier. For one thing, we stayed in a hotel that wasn't pet friendly. It was just okay, but was in a great location. Every place we needed to visit was within a mile. 

Once home, I vegged for most of the weekend after I stocked up on food and wine. Laundry was also involved. I discovered that TCM's Star of the Month was George Brent. More on that later. 

Cleaning, Packing, Unpacking, and Still Time-tracking

That sums up my day.

Cleaning because I've neglected it lately and Jeff's sister is coming to visit. 

Packing because we are driving to North Carolina on Monday to visit Jeff's other sister.

Unpacking because I'm re-arranging a few things as I dust and wanted to put out a Thai Buddha on a living room table. 

Time-Tracking because I want to complete the week. I am tracking on a spreadsheet on my laptop. It would be easier to manually record the information, but much harder to review. On the pc, I can highlight different colors to get a better picture of how I spend my time. It's going pretty well. I had to backtrack for a few hours on  Monday, but otherwise, I'm doing a decent job keeping up. 

There and Back Again

Back from what I hope was our visit to Maryland. I hope our next trip will be a permanent relocation (though I doubt it.)

We had a decent ride back...that is, until we left the Garden State Parkway for the Tappan Zee Bridge. The Bridge itself was fine.

Okay. I'm writing several days later. It's been a blur of packing and making appointments. Worrying about the Mets. 

It's too much.

Back to Delaware

Tomorrow Jeff, Jace, and I are headed back to Delaware. We're seeing some new places and one we saw before. I didn't like the hallway; it gave me an eerie feeling.

We're hoping to find something we like. 

It's Been A Lot

I decided three weeks (minus one day) is enough. I have to post. But it's 9:44 PM as I start this and I'm tired.

I'm not up to a detailed description of the past few weeks. We had several medical appointments and made a disappointing home hunting trip to Delaware. 

Sedona Tap House is closing at the end of June. Sedona has been one of our favorite places. We went to dinner there last night and will really miss it. 

The Mets were swept for the first time this season by the Rays. They still top the National League.

And so it goes.

More Catching Up with a Side of Miscellanea

It's been a lot. 

I'm not sure why I haven't been writing. I've barely journaled either. Keeping myself incommunicado. Keeping my thoughts to myself. But it's counterproductive. Journaling helps keep me grounded. At least, I journaled today; I need to get back into the habit.

Our trip to Delaware was...disappointing. I had hoped to find several good housing options for us. Instead, we found only one. Reviewing the condo documents, we discovered another problem. The place is just not dog-friendly. 

We need to look further. We've been invited again to visit friends in the Baltimore area and look from there. We just have to figure our a schedule--they're away now.

I brought up three large plastic boxes from our storage bin in the basemen, including two boxes of Halloween costumes, props, and accessories. I threw out some old make-up, but I packed up the rest for Goodwill. The bags are in the back seat of my car: I was afraid I would forget about them if I put them in the trunk. 

I set up some PT appointments for Jeff, but need to reschedule two of them. It's another week before he starts. Only Jace and I have medical appointments this week.

I went to the gym one day this week. I did back, chest, leg, and ab exercises. I exercised at home most other days. I went to the hotel gym once in Newark. Jace and I didn't do much walking around the hotel. I guess Jace didn't like the neighborhood. He did enjoy walking the green at UD. Jace was a big hit, especially with the ladies. As usual.

Had another expensive week with unexpected car repairs .I needed a headlight bulb replacement, a new battery, and windshield wiper blades. At least I don't have a car payment to worry about. 

Finally got into a bit of a cleaning mode today. The feeling doesn't last long, so I have to act on it. 

It's only a good start if I continue.

Back Home

We returned home on Wednesday afternoon, after a week away in Dundalk, Maryland. I didn't really want to leave, but the ride down had been exhausting. So, I considered staying overnight somewhere on the way home (possibly in Newark, DE, my college town.) I also didn't want to be driving on Friday. Luckily, the return trip was fine except for hitting a lot of traffic as we entered Stamford. 

We had a wonderful time in Maryland. I've know Annette for about 40 years. This was the most time we've ever spent together. We had some delicious food from her favorite restaurants. We returned to the park where Jeff's great, great, (I think) uncle served as superintendent (I want to say Superintendo per Ralph Wiggins on the Simpsons.)

Annette showed us all around Dundalk, Baltimore, Frederick, and Essex. Oh, we went through other areas as well I can't remember them all now. What's important, is that Jeff and I can see ourselves living in the area. 

We went to see one condo because it had an open house. While it hit our main requirements, it would have been settling. At least, it gave us a point of reference. 

We're finally on the road to getting out of Connecticut. 

Baltimore Bound

In a few hours, Jeff, Jace, and I are hitting the road to visit some friends in Baltimore. We'll also see my cousin in Annapolis. Looking forward to this trip; it's been in the planning stages for a long time. I can't remember the last time we went away twice in one summer. 

Bring On August

Just a handful of days to get through July. July isn't been good. Honestly, the things I complain about started in June. 

HHH Weather--we've had three heat waves this season. Plus, several poor air quality days.

Gastric Issues--I haven't been 100 percent since early June.

Let's look at August.

The Sono Arts Festival is next weekend. It shrinks each year, but I still enjoy going. I called my friend Chris today, and we made plans to go next Sunday. 

Jace's two-year anniversary with us is on August 25. He seems to finally be comfortable when we leave him.

We're going to visit friends in Baltimore in August.

Bring on August.

Down the Shore Part Two

Note: I continue in my general writing malaise. I actually started this post on Sunday. Each day, I planned to finish, but I never seemed to get around to it. I realize I've been procrastinating about writing about our Sea Isle City visit. Everything was overshadowed by Jace's massive case of diarrhea across the hallway and two bedrooms. This happened sometime late night Thursday or early morning Friday. I spent hours cleaning up literal shit. This was in addition to be feeling generally lousy all day Thursday. We were afraid to leave Jace alone in the house after that.

Things started out well on Wednesday. We left Seaside Park and drove about an hour-and-a-quarter to Sea Isle City and the home of my cousin Elena and her husband Tom. They were there when we arrived, which was a surprise. Tom and a friend left after lunch; Elena stayed overnight, and she, Jeff, and I went out to dinner. 

I did get to the beach Friday afternoon. One day, we went for a drive, and I did a little shopping. I did a lot of reading and relaxed as best I could with the dark diarrhea cloud over me. 

More to follow.

Down the Shore Part One

I grew up in Audubon, New Jersey, a town close to the Delaware River. My aunt and uncle had a bungalow in Ortley Beach, New Jersey, where we spent many vacations. My cousin Barb lives there now. The bungalow had been totally destroyed in Hurricane Sandy and remodeled. It's strange to see how drastically the street has changed. Of course, it's stranger for my cousins who spent so many summers there.  

Barb's sister, brother, and other family members arrived Saturday. Jeff and I, on Sunday. We had been told a 4 PM check-in, but I missed the owner's email that we could arrive early--I was driving and didn't check my phone.

We didn't see much of one branch of the family. They didn't want Jace at their rental--even though we agreed to keep him outside. Then my cousin's wife fell on the boardwalk. She suffered a black eye and a swollen, bruised cheekbone, and needed six stitches. Luckily, she didn't have a concussion. She was talking it easy the last two days we were in the area.

We did have great visit with my cousin Cindy and husband Brian--the dog people who joined us for lunch outside despite a strong wind (that knocked over my iced tea as well as many other things.) Cindy was my closest cousin growing up. We laughed over old stories and memories. 

We found some dog-friendly places. First, we stopped at Last Wave Brewing Company in Point Pleasant on our drive down. We each enjoyed two half-pours (they didn't offer flights.). Then we drove down Route 35 South instead of going back to the Garden State Parkway. We went to two dog-friendly restaurants in town: Bum Rogers Crabhouse and Island Beach Fish Company.

We stayed at a condo in Seaside Park, just south of Seaside Heights and its famous boardwalk. Our condo was in a great location, right off the main drag, but in a quiet area. We had an off-street parking spot, and it was only three steps to enter the condo.

I loved the neighborhood. We were close to the bay, and Jace and enjoyed exploring. One day, a duck was walking ahead of us. The next day we trailed a pair of ducks. A new experience for us. 

I really liked Seaside Park. While it has its share of beach McMansions, it retains some of the old-style bungalows that were the norm when I was growing up. I'd like to return.

Thursday Thoughts

Had a frustrating medical morning involving tests and a hearing aid evaluation. I naively thought I could just drop off specimens for lab work, but got stuck waiting for about 15 minutes which made me late for the evaluation. I was told I should have made an appointment. In hindsight, I should have rescheduled the evaluation, but I had already rescheduled it twice. I felt obligated to go when they said it was okay. Today, I got a short version of the evaluation and have to go back again anyway. Sigh.

It's hot. At least it's not 100 degrees, just the 90s. Mornings are okay, with temperatures in the 70s. Midday and evening walks have been tough. The last two days we've driven to Mathews Park and walked from there on the NRVT to Oyster Shell Park. I can't imagine walking up hospital hill in this weather. Besides the high temperature, the air quality has been bad.

I'm packing a lot of things for our New Jersey vacation. We'll be away for a week, and we're driving. I prefer to be prepared. Once we made our final decision of where to stay, I was psyched. We'll be in two different towns. In one town, we'll be visiting with family. In another, it will be the three of us.

Looking forward to a vacation; it's been a long time. 

Monday Miscellanea and Vacation Plans

I didn't feel well for part of last week, but I was feeling progressively better. Until today, that is. So, I'll see my doctor on Wednesday.

We're heading into a heat wave. Summer is officially here on Thursday, but I still feel that this is too soon for a heatwave. 

We're going to the Jersey Shore next Sunday. When we recently went to the shore overnight, we learned that other cousins (all from my dad's side of the family) would be visiting next week. Jeff and I booked an airbnb for three nights in Seaside Park.

After that, we're heading to another cousin's (from my mother's side of the family) in Sea Isle City, about an hour south of Seaside Park. We'll probably stay three days, but we're not definite.

This is our first time staying in an airbnb, and we're finally using the gift certificate we got a few Christmases ago. I've started putting things together. I'll probably overpack since we are driving--even though we'll have access to washing machines in both locations. 

Thinking about the trip in terms of frugality a la the frugal girl. Our stay in Seaside Park is pricey. That's one reason we normally wait until September for our vacations. But the cousins won't be visiting in September. Luckily the Sea Isle City place is free. Can't be frugaller than that. 

It's a No

For about four months, I've been thinking and talking about Jeff and I going on a two-week road trip for out 35th wedding anniversary in September. Then the two-weeks dropped to two days. Yesterday, we decided not to go anywhere. It was an abrupt turnaround. I had done hours of research on places to stay. On Tuesday night, I thought I had found a great place. 

That night the doubts started, and I couldn't sleep. The summer had a rough one financially. I wondered if we should spend more money. I knew intellectually the amounts we could spend wouldn't break us, but the idea of spending more made me anxious. Then I worried about the weather, whether or not we could trust Jace to behave, etc.

When we talked the next morning, Jeff and I both had doubts. So we decided to stay home. We'll plan a nice day close to home. 

A Touch of Fall

I first noticed it one day last week: a slight chill in the air. It surprised me on Tuesday morning--temps had hit 90 the day before. For the first time in maybe three months, I put on jeans. I hope the 90-degree days are done for the season. Actually we've been lucky in this summer of weather hell. 

I welcome fall. Jeff doesn't share my enthusiasm for a long road trip, but we'll go away for a few days for our anniversary. On Saturday, I researched some places in Litchfield County. We really miss the old days of the Interlaken. I've got a list of five or six possibles, but want to check out other areas as well. I love fall getaways. 

Tuesday's Topics

I am happy that July is over. To me, July represents everything that went wrong this summer. I'm ready for the rest of the summer, starting today. 

We've had three nice days in a row--weather wise. I have more energy; I'm in a better mood. I've enjoyed my walks with Jace. Today we visited Tilley Pond Park in Darien. Jeff, Lola, and I had been there a few times. It was a first for Jace. We walked around twice, and Jace got to experience some new scents.

I've been journaling a bit lately. Trying to work myself out of this prolonged writer's block. I'll have to show up here too. I was just thinking I need a spark. How do I get a spark? I imagine myself using the flint and steel method driving myself to tears in a futile attempt to write something. Sigh. 

The Mets season is basically over. Of, there are still have two full months of games to play, but we're seeing a trading deadline selloff that no one would have predicted at the beginning of the season. Another sigh. I've watched my share of bad Mets seasons. Will I continue to watch this one? Probably. 

I'm hoping we can get away for our anniversary this year. I need to talk to Jeff and make some plans. I'd like to go away for two weeks, but we'll have to see. I need to figure this out soon. 

Alexandria: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

I've been to Washington D.C. several times with my family, plus once with the Safety Patrol in the sixth grade, and once with Jeff, but never made it to Alexandria before. 

I went to attend a baby shower for our niece Lindsay. Jeff and Jace accompanied me on the road trip.

The Good:

Old Town Alexandria is charming: cobblestone streets, old buildings (among modern ones) shops, and restaurants. Our hotel was a block off the main drag of King Street. I did a lot of window shopping while walking Jace. I loved an oval dining room table with curved legs, but that's not in the cards for us right now.

The shower was fun. I didn't know many people, but everyone was friendly. The setting at The Chart House on the water was beautiful. 

Jace was well-behaved, except for a visit to a bookstore when he was borderline rambunctious. He was great at an outdoor dinner Friday night, though I have to admit, no other dogs were there. He only barked once at a dog on our walks. Jeff says he was great during the "Ugly" experience below.

We stopped in Annapolis to visit my cousin Deb on the way home. It was nice to see her again.

The Bad:

We hit a lot of traffic on the Inner Loop to Alexandria. I know it's to be expected traveling around Washington on a weekday, but it was still frustrating. A bigger issue was that Jeff didn't feel well during our visit. Unfortunately, that happened on our last visit to his family as well.

The Ugly:

Jeff called during the shower to tell me that there had been a fire on our floor in the hotel. He and Jace were outside the building waiting for the all-clear from the fire department. Someone had started the fire while doing laundry. I don't understand how. 

I don't have the uber app, so the Chart House called a cab for me that never showed. I waited for almost a half hour, panicking as the minutes passed. Eventually, my sister-in-law called an uber for me that arrived promptly.

In the meantime, Jeff was assigned another room, but people were already there. As I arrived, he had been given a second room (without other people.) The manager escorted me with a luggage cart to our previous room, apologizing for the wet hallway carpet. I told him I would take the luggage upstairs myself. I started to pack up our stuff in an organized way, but soon abandoned that to just get settled upstairs. I didn't see Jeff's computer at first, so that was nerve-wracking, but all worked out. 

I was hoping for an easy ride back, but no luck there. When we got home, we had Thai food delivered and vegged. 

We need to take more time when we go on getaways. Otherwise, it's not worth the drive time and fatigue hangover. 

Home Again

Been home for about an hour-and-a-half after a long drive home from Old Town Alexandria, Virginia with an hour stop in Annapolis, Maryland to visit my cousin who I haven't seen in at least 12 years.

The ride was draining. We hit Annapolis Boat Show traffic, Delaware Memorial Bridge traffic, a few random jams on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, and then at the Tappan Zee/Mario Cuomo Bridge. So, I'm tired--too tired to blog about the highs and the lows. Last night I journaled about the evening, but I'm still processing things, and want to do more journaling tonight.

Glad to be home.