Views from a Small Jersey Cemetery - historic veteran headstones

A Sunday Afternoon in Jersey

Spent part of Sunday driving around Jersey killing time before a Phillly Soul event.  Much of that time was on the White Horse Pike.  Captivating it was not.  Not awful...just dull.  Lots of Dollar Stores, large "event" restaurants with Italian names,  tired old gas stations...but wait...the good things about jersey? those "old" gas stations are selling gas for at least 30 cents less per gallon than in Penn...AND they pump your gas!!!!  (In fact you can't pump your own gas...no argument here).  Also...lots of liquor stores...not State Liquor stores...but mom and pop stores and big discount liquor stores.  Also good, said from the land of the State run liquor sales industry. Too bad, we don't drink much anymore! 

Another step in CyberSpace

Updated MyFacebook page and started to use it a bit.  Jerry asked about it because he wants to play Scrabulous!  He's become a Scrabble addict.  So I got him his OWN facebook page.  Let's see 4 blogs and a Facebook page (yep...it's official...blog addict).

Doesn't anyone pay attention anymore - 2 stories in one day

Went to the movies at King of Prussia...friday matinee.  Looooong line because only one window is open (even though Wall-E just opened today) and its manned by someone with a very limited IQ and no common sense (the worst combination).  We notice that he charges 10 dollars for matinee...should be 8...we point this out...he just shrugs and points to his computer screen...forget the sign on OUR side of window that says matinee before 3pm - 8 dollars.  In sympathy to the 40 people behind us in line...I said...just buy it will complain later to manager.  Which we did and he refunded us the money.  He rolled his eyes and groaned when we told him the story.  Now...don't you suppose that may have been happening all afternoon...since "the computer says so"?  Could be why the manager gave me 20 dollars instead of 2! hmmmm.

Then to the Cadillac dealer where are car was being service.  Now I will chalk this story up to there being two service managers out on vacation (not to limited IQ or lack of common sense) but nonetheless...we had originally asked for the "spring into spring" service special listed at $9.95 (forget it's summer).  then they called us to say we needed the 30,000 mile check...fine.  but when we picked up the car...the bill had the spring special (at 19.95) AND the 30,000 miles.  hmmm.   isn't there an overlap we say?  oh gosh...yes....whoosh...corrected.  Sigh.

You gotta keep your eye on everything...

Get Smart!

We just saw Get Smart...it was great!  Jerry said "I'm completely surprised"...he wasn't thinking they'd do a very good job (he isn't a steve carell fan)...It was funny, but the action was real,  great flic....perfect for a summer weekend. (BTW...we recognized Montreal mascarading as Moscow in the movie ...with the exception of course of Red Square).

What I'll Miss When We Move-1

Fireflies

Max at Salon di Moda (best haircolorist I have EVER EVER had and a great guy to boot)

Peonies

June Favorites

Fireflies, huthatches on the deck,  chipmunk playing hide and seek amongst the flower pots, clematis in full bloom and climbing up the bay magnolia, thunderstorms, being able to get into a restuarant (because everyones at the Shore). 

B-12 and Calcium

My doctor told me I should be taking B-12 and calcium supplements because the medication that I take for indigestion/GIRD can interfere with the uptake of those vitamins in your stomach from the food you eat.  I said "OK".  I've been taking them for amost 3 weeks now along with a low dose synthyroid (for my newly diagnosed lazy thyroid) and I'm feeling great.  Not so many naps...weight seems easier to lose.  And according to the websites I read today being difficient in B-12 can cause "moderate cognitive impairment"!!! Now that explains it!  combine menopause with a low thyroid and a probable B-12 deficiency...it's a wonder I've been able to string together two coherant sentences (I hear Jerry chuckling now).  So I'm expecting to finally understand Calculus and physics anyday now...ok...maybe just remembering phone numbers would make me happy.  Anyway...calcium is also supposed to boost your metabolism...so I'm working out, eating right, and taking my pills...and I plan to be a more slender woman who can remember the name of the person I met yesterday SOON!

A first!

Jerry and I have adopted new strategy for losing weight (or at least maintaining while on vacaction)...we share meals.  We're also trying hard not to eat junk food in the car.  so for the first time in a Loooong time, I did not gain weight on my vacation...and that's 3 weeks and 13 states!  yipppeeeyahooo!

Trying to Buy a Plane Ticket without taken out a 2nd mortgage

Jerry and I are going to visit Vietnam in the fall.  We're trying to get business class tickets that don't require forgoing the payment of Jason's college tuition!!!  Geez...the hoops to jump through.  Frequent Flyer seats? nope none.  Try flying to a city close by on FF miles? nope not there either?  Can I use my American Express point and the companion airfare?  yes...but NOT together..."we're two different agencies"..."you need to talk with American Express Platinum, not American Express Rewards"...sigh.  On hold for 15 minutes with Platinum...the clock strikes 8...and I'm cut off...because...well gee, it's time for them to close up shop..who cares if I've been on hold.  Call back tomorrow. There will probably be blackout dates to contend with.GRRRRR.  the price of adventure and having a bad back that just won't do coach seats anymore for 32 hours of flying time split between 3 planes...uggh. 

Austrailia

just saw the trailer of the movie "Austrailia" due out in November starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman...a Baz Luhrman film.  it is going to be THE FIRST THING I DO when i get back from Vietnam in November.  It looks absolutely fantastic...and of course there is Hugh.  Enough said.

Tags: hugh jackman, australia,

And the Diagnosis is...Shingles

My poor mom...shingles...after 5 days of discomfort and thinking she was having a heart attack and then not knowing what it was when they said it wasn't her heart.  She got the diagnosis today.  Hopefully the meds they give her will kick into gear SOON.  Told Jerry is needs to get the new Shingles Vaccination!!!  He is not arguing.

 

 

Tags: shingles,

When in the South - Be southern

We've adopted southern names!   (yes...this was before the wine!).  Magnolia June (me),  Scarlett Peony (pronounced PIE ah nee) - Peg,  Dahlia Belle - Colleen and Knautia (it's a plant) Rose - Maureen.  Now where is that julep????

I love Peonies

I love Peonies.  And this area along the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Ohio River where we just traveled appears to be Peony heaven.  There are bushes everywhere…even just randomly planted in the graveyards.  I pronounce peony (PEE ah  nee).  Apparently old timers around here call them PIE a nee.    No matter how you pronounce they are one lovely flower

Tags: peony

What are girlfriends for?

What are girlfriends for if not to sit on the phone together while one of you is under a tornado warning.  One of us (me) on weather.com and one of us (peg) listening to the local weather warning channel with her cats already securely in the basement.  We're not in Kansas anymore Jack!

Where do birds sleep?

Do you ever wonder where all the birds go at night to sleep?  (I guess this is in the same category of why don't we ever see baby pigeons?)  Even I, the birder, haven't given this much thought.  But just outside our window at the B&B south of Marietta Ohio its clear that the big pine is a dormitory for robins.  Just before nightfall there would be several perched on the branches and all hunkered down...chirping and trilling if they saw me at the window.  So where do ducks go?

 

Tags: sleeping birds, robin,

I Love a Good Driving Trip!

I love a good driving trip.  I don’t care about the 4.25 per gallon gasoline (although it's 10 cents less per gallon in Kentucky!).  My mind rests.  We follow our rhythm for the day.  We meet interesting people.  I take time to look around, smell the air (which hopefully smells of peonies and not chemical plants) and let my mind wander.