Catch Up

I have written this blog at least twice -but each time have erased it by accident and then the auto save -saves a blank page.

It may have something to do with the fake gel nails I have on my fingers -for my HS reunion. Smile. They are very awkward and weird -but i love how my huge hands look so graceful, feminine and sexy. It makes me feel that way also. Maybe i will just have to find the money to treat myself with nails and a pedicure -more than every two years. I am not complaining -i am very blessed in my retirement -I am just still getting use to a budget. I could go onto EBay I guess and sell all the stuff I am taking to the ARC Thrift shop -but once the decision is made to donate it and put it into the bag -I have to get it out of the house FAST. So far more than 100 bags and only two regrets:
1/a double mattress pad and 2/ a set of twin bed sheets. Of course I am almost ready to go thru the house again. Ok so maybe this time -it will be EBay.

The reunion on Aug 14 and 15. was incrdible. From the Friday night Icebreaker to the actual reunion at the Corcordville Inn, Rt 1, Delaware County Pa. Our class was 312 and about 98 classmate and 15 others came on Saturday. I danced -for the first time at ANY reunion -all night. ( Marian kept coming up and dancing and saying -'Who are you and what did you do with Robin -she never dances?" LOL) Didnt get to talk much -but I had a wonderful time. My friend Carol and I split a room at the Hotel -her husband did not want to come this year -and it was one of the best ideas we had. Carol and I were asked to help with the crowd flow while everyone was registering, So we were able to meet and greet everyone first. It was so much FUN.

Later everyone is posting candids on Facebook -What a HOOT. I really like these people. Not many of them live in the area. But when I move back in three years -It will be ok. I feel closer to those classmates after 40 years and most people I have met since =with the exception of a very few.

I have to work on that.

Pizza on the Boardwalk with a friend

I had a lovely visit with a girlfriend I have known since -well maybe 5th or 7th grade; this weekend. I thought I had met her in 6th grade -but during our weekend reminiscences, she said we went to different schools in 6th grade-but same school district. We starting counting -we must have been at least 9 -six grade classes over four elementary schools . The following year we all met in a brand new Jr. High School (the first for our district). I wonder how many 1951 babies were in that 7th grade?

Our 40th HS reunion is in two weeks and I had gotten out all my year books out and Memory Books for past years. Marian is very excited, as am I. But I only met these classmates in 7th grade. I went to a different school, in a different state, until the middle of 5th grade. Consequently, I never met most of their parents -but my friend knew parents and siblings. I often wonder if my sister -who grew up from age 3 in this town- knew parents and siblings of her classmates?

I picked her up on Friday night at the Cape May Ferry from Lewes DE -I allowed for a good hour to get down to the cape of New Jersey. It was summer and lots of tourists were on the Parkway/Rt 47 and Rt 9- the only three ways thru Cape May County. I live at Exit 17 -It took an hour to go about 20 miles on the Parkway. From Cape May we went to Seaville and Dino's Diner for dinner :))

A quick stop at the ACME grocery store and home. She had been on the Ferry that encountered a storm while crossing the Delaware Bay. The boat was rockin! At home, we put on our jammies and just talked. We havent really visited in 8 years. She was with a nice man that loves to travel on his motorcycle, and she went on the back. But they recently are taking some breathing room. I am happy she was able to visit.

Saturday we went to Avalon. I went to my writers group at the Library and she walked Avalon. We met back at the Library and went out to lunch at the Puddgy Pelician -not impressed. But the company was good. Nothing like going out to lunch with five creative writers -who love to talk and tell stories!

Sat night we went to Ocean City ,NJ -parked at Jelly's at 12th st for $15.00 (the cheapest lot we found) Mack and Manko for the best THIN PIZZZA at the shore and walked the boards -well shopped just a little. I was looking for a pocketbook -nothing- and ended up with crystal bracelets. It was a little stinky -a lot of musscles had died and come in on the tide and the wind was blowing from the beach -soooo. Whew stinky.

Away from the smell, but still on the boards , we decided to stop and sit on an empty bench. Unusually , the boards were REALLY crowded this first Saturday of August. But as we sat down , about 10 teen age boys also claimed the long bench. They started sitting on the rails and back of the bench -facing out looking at the people (girls) ; the bench was long enough for all of us.

Me , being me, of course spoke to them. 'You can only share our bench if you are not rude and watch your language". SURPRISE, they LISTENED to me! One boy was saying something about a 'bitch' and the others reminded him. Marian and I smiled to ourselves. Then they were describing the young girls that walked by them as: "totally you could do her" or just "Hi" what are you doing out tonight?' in a more respectful tone. When Marian and I were ready to move -I asked the young men if i could take a picture of them for my blog. I told them to cover their faces if for any reasons they didnt want their faces shown. One young man said he wasnt comfortable with having his picture taken by a stranger and moved out of the picture. He was the 'ring-leader' for lack of a better word. So I had wanted him in the shot. But you know, I was really proud of him for listening to his little voice. That is what we teach our children to do to help keep them safe. Sad but necessary. The parents of these young men should be proud.



The next day, I cooked scranbled eggs -and did not burn them! Drove Marian down to the Ferry and then drove home on a Sunday afternoon -in all the traffic and a rain storm -It took
1 1/2 hours ,bumper to bumper, on RT 47.

She was almost across on the Ferry by the time I made it home and when we spoke -she said it was another stormy, rolling boat ride!

I am glad my friend came to visit -but she is a chain smoker, that wants to quit and we spoke of getting healthy and loosing weight.

She has always been a walker and somehow got off track these last few years. Maybe during this time out with her man -she will change up her life to where she wants and needs it to be. I hope so.

I love my friends and want them to take care of themselves. I had a nice visit.

Designer Travel Wipes by Dirty Work Diva

In todays diffficult ecomomy -I admire creative ways to earn income. With American Inginuity my friend Kylie started her own unique business. She somehow takes those ugly but necessary baby wipe cases and creates a designer travel container for Diaper bags. They are also used in bathrooms and being only about 5 or 6 inches long -in Ladies pocketbooks. And we all know what it is like to dig for tissues when the toilet paper roll is empty in the public bathroom. One for the seat/one for you/and one for your hands -because you know a bathroom without TP has no soap for your hands!

I have given them to my nieces ( a leopard print and a college print) and new moms ( baby animals and lady bug designs) and my Godmother (also a leopard design that matches her black and white bathroom)

If you are interested email Kylie:

dirtyworkdiva@yahoo.com

(Her site with all the fabric pictures is undergoing a transformation but it is www.dirtyworkdiva.esty.com)

I am not putting the price here -they were gifts after all -but for $100.00 you could get 5 unique gifts for Christmas /House Warming or A Baby Shower. The Thank you notes (yes it is STILL correct and Polite to send a Thank You Note) all specifically mentioned the designer boxes -and loved the unusual and unique gift. You go Kylie! Good Job!

Christmas Burglary

The neighborhood man that broke into my house and robbed me over Christmas has just pled guilty- third degree burglary. He will be sentenced Aug 28th, but apparently he has already agreed to a plea agreement. I have called the Victim advocate to find out what that was. Is he going to jail? Will he ever pay restitution? I know his wife divorced him and moved out of State with the son. The for sale sign is down. But?

Just got a call from the Victims Advocate:

Sentencing is at the courts discretion -the Prosecutor wants five years -but I don't agree that jail time, in this case, is right for a looser that is not an animal & he has been there before and it didn't help. I want my out of pocket money back. - but punishment? Do I want to step in this word , and write a Pre-sentence consideration letter or do I trust the wisdom of the Judge? How important is the Victim?

Before I write the letter I would like to know if he ever broke into my house -prior to this time? Did he ever steal from me before? But really, would this change my mind. Isnt what I feel about jail based on something more than my anger at him for violating my home?

I just do not know what to do -I am flaming idiot -He is a fuc*ing Loser and I am stressing over the right thing to do !

HS Reunion and Life

My horoscope says not to put anything into writing today. Hello -Impossible.

My parents just came down for a visit in their new /used car . They didnt feel safe driving the 2 hours to my house in the old car. So they had not visited in 5 years. It was nice. We went to a nice old lady clothes shop in North Cape May that is going out of business -Mother got a couple of nice outfits. Come to find out she has the same store right up the road from her house.

Then we went to the ferry and watched the ship load cars and two, tour bus walk ons ; full of people (6pm was the last Ferry to DE that day.) The clothes that we had just seen were repeated on about 20 women boarding the FERRY. Yes, apparently DE outlets have a Bon Worth store also. They all looked lovely in thier matching pants and tops with Lighthouse designs and bunnies and flowers.

Then we went out to dinner at Dad's favorite resturant down here Dino's. smile Mother said they will be back to visit and she will pick a SEAFOOD resturant! Lobster House ? smile I would like to go to Habour View sit on the deck at watch the boat across from the Coast Guard Base in Cape May. so we will see.

I had my first appointment with the Gastroenterologist -I expected an ass exam but he only listened to my belly and talked to me -good thing I was very nervous. When he asked when my last colonoscomy was and I said never. He scheduled it along with my endoscopy for the real reason I went -the reflux. So I walked out in a daze and scheduled the test the day before the above High School reunion. When reality settled in my brain -I rescheduled for the next available appt. Hello I dont want any residual problems at my HS Reunion!

Turns out he preferres operating in the new Surgical Center -but they only have transportation pickup and delivery available to people who bring someone with them. I could go by my self but they would not drive me home unless someone would sign for me? But the Hospital (where he only goes once ever three months) has transportation that picks and drops you off -all by yourself. Next available appt was November. That works -smile.

This DO is so cute /with blue eyes and a firm handshake . At first I almost thought his handshake was hurtful -to much strength -which would have made me look for another doctor right away. Men/women who want to hurt with their handshake and establish dominance -are playing a whole other game -that I just will NOT tolerate. But when I shook his hand at the end of the visit -I excerted a little hand pressure back -and his handshake was the same /no competition/ just a handshake. Ok, so I guess I will allow this Dr to put his hand up my ass.

I just sat down to write this blog and watch my Soap -Day of Our Lives =and my one working converter box -is attached to a TV that now has no sound . I guess this means a new TV -and soon. This morning I dropped the replacement bathroom fan , that I was showing my dad, in my marbel sink and chipped the sink. Tomarrow the pest control people are coming to give me an estimate (treament was in 1988 and inspection was in 2004. It is time.

Stay Tuned for more updates!

A Beautiful Day at the Shore

It was a beautiful summer day at the shore.

My best friend's first niece was just born on the 30th of June and is doing well after a day in natal intensive care to help her with her breathing. 6lbs 2oz & 18 inches long. Welcome to this wonderful world Molly Ann ! I have been praying extra hard for this little one.

My PSU roommate, Bonnie and husband Paul rode their bikes on to the Lewis to Cape May Ferry (over the Delaware River) -brought two friends (Denny and Claudia) approx the same age as we all are, and we all met up in Cape May, at the Bandstand. Parking is now metered and $1.00 per hour for max three hours at a shot. The meters accept credit cards. Sweet. Everyone threw their helmets and backpacks in my car and off we went. We had a nice lunch at the Ugly Mug on Washington Street Mall and then trolled for a free sample of fudge and toffee popcorn (yes I cheated )-being given away on the Mall.

Bonnie and Claudia had never been to Cape May and want to come back. They compared it to other places in the world. I could only add -it was similar to Key West. But surprise, Bonnie had bever been there either. I would go again, if she wanted to drive thru the Keys. But I do not think I want to do the speed boat ride from Ft Myers again -once was enough.

We loaded Bonnie's bike into my SUV (I really like my Honda CRV-ex) I was going to drive her back to the ferry while the other three rode. Bonnie's bike was a no speed -what we call a beach cruiser -they all had those fancy multi speed bikes. Bonnie was having knee problems -they were seasoned bikers. NOT fair.

We stopped at the Lemon Tree and got a Philly Italian Water Ice (Mango) well Bonnie did -they didnt have any sugar free for me-they gave her a sample spoon and she said it was really good. She bought it and It was so much -she split it into two cups and ate her cup there, and we got spoons and napkins for the others and then drove to the ferry to wait for them. They also liked it! It takes about 30 minutes or less to bike ride from West Cape May -Seashore Road- to the Ferry. I am glad we had a little special time to talk. I really miss old friends. Bonnie is also downsizing and ready to sell her house in a couple of years -so compareing notes is helpful.

The Ferry ( www.CMLF.com) was starting to get crowded ; motorcycles, cars and Motorhomes and walk on people waiting to board , today i even saw a cab!-While we were talking to one of the ticket Ladies -she said the Garden State Parkway was , well a Parking lot (that darn light in Middle Twp) and people were calling to say they were worried about making the last Ferry (which today was 6 pm) , YIKES ! -what would they do? , asked Bonnie. The answer -Drive around -which means =up to the closest bridge over the Delaware River - which is approx 2hours North and West -the Delaware Memorial Bridge over to Wilmington, De. It is a two lane road and if traffic is going the speed limit -it could be three hours or more. Not a pleasant trip -but it will save you big bucks. The Ferry aint cheap. As much as $42.25 for the car and driver one way at Peak times. Bikes and passengers are less and passangers with the shuttle,( to shop the Tanger outlets outside Rehoboth.) are $21.00 round trip.. It use to be a fun trip -but I havent done that since the fare was $8.00 -a long time ago. The ticket lady said they will not sell tickets after 1 pm to shoppers -not enough time. (smile) When I visit friends on that side, I usually stay over and then we shop!

As we waited for them to walk their bikes up the ramp a very cute Port Police held up a helmet from the bench we had been sitting on, I had been carring Bonnies' helmet -while they were gathering all their stuff -whoops- sorry Zi.

I stayed to wave goodbye and then took every back road I could find to get home -Hello? -I encountered no traffic on Rt 47 -sweet -I could have stayed in Rio Grande and shopped!!!

But wait , I just remembered, I dont shop to buy any longer -I am downsizing and retired. The pressure is off.

I may just buy a round trip walk on fare -the poor woman's cruise. A three hour round trip cruise (sing it Gilligan Island fans).

Now if I can stay out of the gift shop on board ship...................:))))

Shred Day in Dennis Township, NJ

MARK THIS DAY _JUNE 13 -I took 6 Trash Bags full of 31 years of old checks /receipts and INCOME TAX returns to my towns free shredding DAY.

I retired two years ago from the Federal Government after 31 years, and well lets just say I had to keep all my tax returns and canceled checks and receipts while I worked there. Or, I was compulsive enough to make sure I had them.

Anyway, I got there about 10:15 am -and ONLY the two men running the program were there. Apparently, it had been quite busy with folks arriving before the 10am start so when I arrived =I pulled right in no waiting.

I had called the day before and spoke to Mr. Ryan , who was running the event, and he said get here early -when the truck is filled -we will turn people away. It was from 10am until 1pm. I had a Creative Writer's group from 10 to noon -should I go to shred day -after? He suggested NO. I talked it over with my best friend, who also suggested I be there when it started. I agreed. (Yes, I was late because I was on the computer.)

The truck was parked at the back of the lot across from Township Hall. Secure Shredding. I was asked to sign a clip board , name /my township address/number of bags to be shredded. The list had two other names (maybe not the first page?). The other two people had two bags each to be shredded. Amateurs. When I had said I really had no idea how many bags -I had just kept filling up the back of my car. He said; estimate the number of bags -So I guessed -SIX.

He pulled over a hugh rolling trash can =and I started to swing the heavy plastic bags -out of my CRV's back and empty the contents -less plastic bag- into the rolling can. 1-2-3-4-5-6 YEA I guessed right. AND, I had filled the HUGH can. I felt Very Proud of myself. He rolled it over to the side of the truck and said Goodbye.

NO ! wait!

I want to see my stuff shredded. I have such little thrills in my life. LOL and my brother in law said to make sure they shred it in front of me.

The hugh rolling can was shoved up under a shoot next to the side controls. A small viewer was above the controls. As i watched; the can and the contents were sucked up. The contents -31 years of my life -were shredded in about 10 seconds. One piece escaped -I dont know what it was -and a couple were still in the bottom -so -Back went the can to the shoot and what was left was re-sucked up and shredding again took place.

I asked the Twp employee, Clarence Ryan, when the next shredding would be -I have one more room to go through and I have burned out two shredders so far. He said that would depend on the township response and the budget. It cost $400.00 per hour for the shredder truck. WOW.

For me it was a lifesaver in a cleaning frenzy that was long overdue. But now what? He suggested -"a little at a time? call the township office and maybe they will shred it in the office for you." What a nice man.

Maybe they will or maybe not. But I am glad I was able to take advantage of the shredding truck -today.

I should write a thank you letter to my township-by e-mail, no sense wasting paper that would eventually need to be shredded.

It was a good day.

Monday I load the car up again -this time with stuff for the thrift shop.

Cleaning and shredding and Downsizing is fun -

now if I could just get rid of my excess weight that easily.