October 2014 - Part One

On Sunday, October 12, I arrived at Newark Liberty and the weather was clear and a million - nary a cloud in the sky with a very pleasant temperature.  Vicki and I met as we both headed to the luggage carousel.  My bag was retrieved and we chatted our way to her car.  For the second time in about ten years, the airlines damaged my luggage to the extent I will have to buy a new piece.  No, I didn't drag it back inside and upstairs to complain as it was scraping the ground and threatening to fall apart.  So, picture SAD FACE.

Before heading to Hackensack, we stopped at the Renaissance Hotel to pop in on nephew Dan, who just got a job there as Desk Clerk.  He's such a People Person that I'm sure he'll be running the Marriott Corporation before too long. ;0)

We, then, dropped my things off at Vicki's home.  She has a great home and has it decorated just beautifully, with the exception of one room just off her kitchen.  Since she's lived there [11 years], she used the room as a "catch all" place, but in her mind, she had a vision.  A couple of times during my visits, we'd start to clean it out, but it was overwhelming.  This year, our plan was to have a garage sale and try to get rid of a lot of the stuff in that room and the basement.  Let me just say:  my sister has NEVER been able to keep a secret.  However, unbeknownst to me, she, my brother Jim, and my SIL Sue started working on the room over Labor Day weekend.  She also had the help of a few friends and installers from a floor store.  Her plan was to let me stumble upon the room on my own but she just couldn't wait or she'd pop so she led me there!  The room is just beautiful - it's her Summer Kitchen - full of windows and all the things she's been collecting for 11 years.  Below is a photo of the room and one of Vicki eating her first meal, which I'd prepared Monday morning.

The room is so HER - bright and sunny and full of color.

After I was able to scrape my jaw off the floor, we headed over to Red Robin for a burger.  I, of course, had a libation - a tequila pear martini.  It was just okay in taste but very pretty.  I'd much rather sip a nice tequila.

Then home to unpack and hit the sack.

On Monday, we decided to do a little shopping.  After all, I had to get a new suitcase.  Since it was Columbus Day, we decided NOT to hit a major mall.  If you've ever been in the area, the Garden State Plaza parking lot is packed on a normal day.  Definitely a place to avoid on a holiday.  Ran a few errands, bought a suitcase and then did some grocery shopping before heading home.

We combined our culinary talents and prepared a beautiful dinner.

Believe me, it was as good as it looked.  Vicki prepared a wonderful salmon; I made the smashed purple potatoes [with sour cream and butter]; and I prepped and Vicki cooked the broccoli.  I love purple potatoes and Vicki had never had them.  They're harder to find here but we've not gone to Whole Foods yet and I'm sure they have them.  In any case, Fairway has them, but it's a little out of the way.

On Tuesday, we decided to take in a movie, so off to Garden State Plaza.  We got there early as Vicki wanted to get a new pair of sunglasses at Lenscrafters.  Unfortunately, while she was doing her deal, I spied THE pair of frames I've been looking for.  I hadn't planned on spending THAT kind of money on my trip, but I wanted to strike while the iron was hot.  Vicki's were ready in an hour - I have to wait 10 to 14 days for mine.  Another SAD FACE.

We saw The Judge which was not what I was expecting.  Very good; great acting; emotional; funny in places.  Probably a three tissue film.  After that we did a little shopping [no tax on clothing here, so it's compulsory], and then grabbed an early dinner at California Pizza Kitchen.  Then, home, a little TV and bed.  We ARE a pair of exciting Old Broads.

On Wednesday morning, after waking up my back and a few cups of coffee, I did a 45 minute walk while Vicki took care of things in the house.  Walking here isn't at all like walking at home.  There are actually pretty steep hills around her house and I could feel my buttocks warning me, but I persevered and listened to a podcast while walking.

I sat on the porch to cool off before my shower when Vicki told me not to shower as she wanted to do a little hike in a forrest in Teaneck.  So she went off to her appointment and when she got back, we went to Teaneck for a hike.  The area is off Puffin Road and I so wanted to see a Puffin but wasn't lucky enough.  The trails are well cared for and marked nicely.  At the parking area [which is shared by the Puffin Museum] there is a sculpture gallery outdoors.  Really nice.  I took a few photos with my iPhone but next time will take my Nikon.  Here are the few that I / Vicki took:

The first one above was actually along one of the trails that we took.  This was really a surprising place - in the middle of a densely populated area with bird sounds, little streams burbling away, and the sound of trees being ruffled by a breeze.  We only saw one human along the way and he was carrying a proper camera.

Then home, showers, and dinner preparation.  Vicki found a recipe for Stuffed Peppers which had a Mexican flair, so we tried it.  It was good, but no cigars.  For some reason, neither one of us felt satisfied afterward.

Thursday:  Nephew Dan dropped in this morning as he was curious about the secret the entire family was keeping from us.  Yes, he liked the Summer Kitchen.  After he left, Vicki continued getting ready for our day and I prepared a stunning omelet.  After partaking of said omelet, we ventured over to Wood-Ridge and picked up Lorraine for our day out.  We went to Ridgefield Park to Starplex [WHAT COMFY CHAIRS] and saw Gone Girl.  The movie was completely engaging and while well over two hours long, seemed to fly by.  Did we like it?  Yes - except for the ending, even though we'd been told it followed the book.  Well, harumph - didn't like the ending and probably would not have liked the ending of the book.

After the film, we went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner, partially to celebrate Lorraine's birthday which was in September.  Nice meal and lots of chatting.  Here is proof: Vicki, Lorraine and me.

Lorraine is The Best and I never tire of her stories, laughter and unexpected F Bombs.  She's like a Big Sister to me and I just love her to pieces.

On Friday, we're just going to do laundry and prepare for our trip to Wildwood and Pennsylvania.  I'm going to try to squeeze in a walk but that's up in the air.  So, I'll post this tonight and probably won't post again for a week - unless something unexpectedly earth shattering happens.  Ciao.