TWTW - February Furniture Fiesta

Friday A banner day for a lunch walk. I made stringbeans and mushrooms with a side of pesto pasta and chicken thighs for dinner. Dad & Carol arrived around 6 and I was in bed by 10.

Saturday Bruce woke up with the shits that then translated into the pukes. I tell this dog not to eat dead sea creatures. Does he listen? He does not. I painted my nails (OPI Mylar Dreams and Princesses Rule!), Dad & Carol got donuts. My dad and I went to Ventnor to pick up a piece of furniture that would not fit in his car, so the woman made alternate arrangements...to be continued. I picked up holds at the library, went to the grocery store, and read. It was a glorious weather day and it was so nice to ride around with the windows open and be outside without a coat. 

At 2 we had to go back over to Ventnor for no reason, just for a guy to load the furniture into his truck and follow us back to OC. When we got back, MFD was there so my Dad was off the hook after it got inside. Lots of moving furniture and arguing because the width that was on the listing is the body, not the top that juts out and prevents it from siding all the way back in the recess of the wall. It's still in progress, I'm swapping my cream colored storage bins in Philly for these white ones, but it's staying and it functions like we need it to. There is an entire desk set up inside of this piece as well as storage. Thanks to my Dad who went back and forth with me twice and endured the whole unplanned saga with me and Carol who stayed with the dogs as MFD was delayed in his arrival due to showings in Philly. 

Dad and Carol got dinner from Jon & Patty's, and I did a salad and fries. Another early to bed to read with my two black and white animals. 

Sunday Bruce was not in the mood to get up. I spent the morning purging and organizing, and we took a beach walk at the end of the island. Dad & Carol were there for a little then went to another beach to shell. I read a bit when we got back.

I am never into the Super Bowl unless the hometown team is in it then the excitement is intoxicating but I am always into the food and usually buy block pools to support organizations of kids. Carol made Mozz sticks, MFD picked up hoagies from White House in Atlantic City, and I made homemade wings. MFD was the only person in America to scan the QR code because the rest of us are over them. The game was actually good, although if I'm rooting it's for the underdog so I wish the Bengals won. Loved the halftime show - where can I get a knock off of Dr. Dre's jacket? I won $125 in a block pool from the Rhode Island Doyles. Good times. 

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you celebrate all types of love all year and that you have a lion's share of love for yourself. 

TWTW - the one with the family celebrations

Friday I worked until about 1, then we headed to my cousin's wedding. Everything was beautiful and I'm glad they could get married in this shitfire of a pandemic. We appreciated being at our own table spaced well away and masked in common areas when not eating or drinking or snapping a quick pic. If you can survive the sometimes stress of wedding planning quadrupled by a pandemic, you can probably survive everything. Congratulations Kristine & Walter! Thanks to Aubrey for being the lipstick holder and my family for a night filled with laughs in a time when I could really use them. 

Saturday I was not even in my first cup of coffee before campaign whirlwind descended. They finally all took off for the day and I hung with the dogs, ran to the store, checked out the amazing trees in my neighborhood like I do every year, and consoled Mae while MFD gave an interview in the living room. I made sweet and sour meatballs, a vat of onion dip, cut up veggies, and did laundry. 

I also packaged Halloween candy individually. We set up a little different this year but we were still out there giving out, masked up when close to the table. MFD did do his live pumpkin carving, decorated the railing and window literally at 6:30 pm, the dogs were window creeps and frantically trying to get to use in the driveway, and we hung out with our shared driveway neighbors so some things did not change. We were closed up by 9 and watched The Witches of Eastwick, which I love. 

Sunday Freaking Bruce was up at 4:42 due to DST. I never went back to sleep, but I did lay down and rest for a while. I tried to read but kept getting distracted. I've been reading the same book for over a week. I painted my nails (Zoya Indigo) and caught a half hour of a Northeast Anti-Racism call before heading into my Dad & Carol's for tacos and memory and cake for my Dad's birthday.

Which is today. Happy birthday Dad! Love you so much, thank you for being who you are in general and who you are as a Dad to me, specifically. 

Everyone else out there - have you voted or do you have a voting plan for tomorrow? People's lives are literally on the line and I need you to make a plan to vote if you have not. To those of you out there who are stressed the fuck out right now. I get it. I am literally living inside of a smaller Election in the shadow of this Election of our lifetimes. So I truly get it. Hang in there. We're going to be okay. 

TWTW - the second of two three dayers

Thursday I headed to the beach after work. There was a weird creeping fog but it was overall nice. I found some seaglass, finished a book, had a salad, then we strolled the boards. Have you had Ben & Jerry's salted caramel blondie? Holy crap. We sat on the porch for a bit then hit the hay.

Friday Off for the day for Mom's birthday! Rich got Brown's donuts, they did a surrey ride with Kate and the kids while I did a little work and made up foaming hand soaps and shower spray. Then we all hit the beach. It was a perfect beach day followed by a perfect porch day. After a while Kate and the kids headed home, and we had fried chicken and onion rings from Boyar's before Mom & Rich headed home. I did some touch up painting and then read. 

Saturday I was up at the ass crack walking two sets of dogs, packing up, watering flowers, etc. I hit the beach for a few hours before heading back to Philadelphia for the first time since May 12. I was not that thrilled. I returned something to Target, MFD made dinner, and I was up finishing a book until 1. 

Sunday I slept in and it was glorious. I did some cleaning, laundry, made million dollar cream cheese and garlic dip (year of the dip lives on, this was a good one), and we stopped to pick up Rita's water ice. Stopped in to see Rich for Father's Day, then on to Aubrey's parents' for an outside Father's Day celebration sponsored by delicious food and a very nice breeze. 

How was your weekend?

TWTW - the one with the thanksgiving

Thursday I woke up feeling like I had slept five minutes, which is never ideal especially when you have a long day ahead. I made a homemade cranberry dish and went to Mom & Rich's for brunch.

We had two hours at home, so I packed for the weekend and painted my nails. Dinner at Mark and Sarah's, the food was so delicious I didn't even have room for pie. I packed up the car and was on the road to the shore by 8:30.

That was a long and tiring drive and I fell right into bed after turning the heaters on and walking Bruce and Ben. The last two (three?) Thanksgivings I've spent at the shore, and I was happy to at least end this one there. Bruce and Ben were too.

Friday  An exceptional Black Friday sunrise.

Dad and Carol were down before 9:30 and MFD and Gus and Mae were close behind. Ben helped Carol with her Black Friday couponing.

MFD went fishing and we went strolling downtown for the Christmas in the Downtown when Santa appears on the roof of City Hall and descends via fire truck. We love this tradition. MFD rolled in after it was over. Mae went this year and she was very popular. Thanksgiving leftovers for dinner and finally pumpkin pie.

Saturday Sunrise with Bruce & Ben. 

Dad got donuts and breakfast sandwiches. A little after 11 we headed to the boardwalk to stroll and do some small business Saturday shopping. Pizza for lunch, and skipped the line but still got a photo with Santa. MFD went off to fish and me, Dad, and Carol continued onto Asbury where we saw Santa again and Carol got me a new purse at the consignment store. Necessary since my zippers broke and more environmentally friendly than new. 

I took Bruce and Ben to the beach where MFD was fishing. Someone left behind beach art, Bruce was enamored of surfers, and I found great shells. 

When MFD went off to be in a parade in Stone Harbor we watched the Auburn/Alabama game because we're on basic cable down there. What a nail biter. I was dead asleep by 10:30. MFD was upstairs after me with Ben and Ben was daring enough to sit next to my dad (not a dog person).

Sunday I slept in until 8 and that was amazing. Dad and Carol and already left and MFD was close behind. I ran the dishwasher and packed up and was back in Philly by 10:30. I changed the sheets, ran and emptied the dishwasher, unpacked boxes, did three loads of laundry, and we had a snack plate and fried goat cheese apps for dinner a la MFD and watched The Irishman.

Weekly food prep: I didn't feel like it Sunday, but I took sausage out to make breakfast burritos to freeze and chicken thighs out so I'll bake them tonight and do a side of rice and steamed veggies. I've got some freezer stuff for lunch, I only need three days of packable lunches this week.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I definitely did. It's one of my favorite weekends of the year. Happy December, everyone. 

TWTW - the one with the birthdays and other things

Friday I worked late then we headed to South Philly for Melissa's surprise 50th dinner organized by Blane. It was a nice night, but we had to jet out by around 9. The photo I have is one in which I am the only person without glasses.

Saturday We were up and out by 6:30 to meet my Dad and Carol and my uncle at the Purple Stride walk in West Fairmount Park. Thanks to everyone who donated to me or Madeline's Marchers, our team in memory of my grandmom. We ran into my oldest friend Jen and her college ladies too, it was great to see them!

How fucking basic is this. I am annoyed that I patronized Starbucks and have guilt over the single use plastic cup but the pumpkin spice cold cream whatever sans vanilla syrup is delicious. Anyway I returned something to Target and picked up a few groceries. I feel like I take forever in there if I don't have my cartwheel AKA circle already loaded.

Saturday night sushi dinner at Ota-Ya for my Dad's birthday. Everything was delicious and it was nice to have dinner together. I lay on the couch like a slug after and was in bed by 11.

Sunday I thought I overslept because it was so light when I woke up but alas, it was only fall back day. I cleaned up the kitchen, MFD washed the couches, I changed out garden flags and put the few Halloween decor items that were out away before heading to Doylestown to meet my knottie girls AEB and Alicia for breakfast at Cross Keys Diner. We usually go to The Hattery but it's under renovation. It's always nice to catch up in person. I can't believe we've known each other for just about 10 years. I popped into Marshalls on the way home to look for garland and pick up some olive oil. That was stupid because everyone was trying to get their errands run before the Eagles game and it's like taking your life in your hands in the parking lots in and around Philadelphia. At home I put the couches back together, did food prep, cleaned up the kitchen, did some more laundry, started a new book, and watched season two of Schitts Creek.

Weekly food prep: Breakfasts are egg muffins with mushrooms and cheese. Lunches are rustic tuscan sausage soup. Red grapes and pretzels for a snack. Dinners are that same soup and mid-week chicken tenders, steamed red potatoes, and cauliflower.

Busy week ahead. Let's go!

What's your voting plan for tomorrow?

TWTW - the one with the fam

Thursday After work I took Bruce & Ben to Dog Beach where Bruce posed like the little model he is. We narrowly beat a massive storm home. I showered and read a book from start to finish. 

Friday I prepped veggies and dip and cleaned upstairs before taking Bruce and Ben to Dog Beach. We were involved in a puppy rescue when he slipped his leash. All was well but I had 99 heart attacks. My Dad and Carol arrived in the afternoon and Aubrey and my niece and nephew soon after. We walked to the playground where too many people were to sneak los perros in. Dinner was an assortment of stuff from Bennie’s and a pasta from Piccini that we ate family style. 

We hustled up to the boardwalk where they got ice cream as I collected my water to charge under the full moon. 

Saturday Dad got donuts for all, playground, relaxing with the dogs and playing in the driveway with Lola while the baby slept, and a nice afternoon at the beach. 

My brother arrived as we were getting showered and we hit the boards for Greek good from Opa, rides, pumpkin Kohr Bros, and a lovely moon. MFD arrived after 10 with Gus and Mae. 

Sunday  was a drizzly morning. Dad’s donut run was to Cathy’s for cream donuts. We headed to the beach around noon and had front row seats to the air show. It turned out to be a tremendous weather day. We headed right from the beach to rides and food...bathing suits and all. Aubrey and Stephen and the kids left, MFD went fishing, and I relaxed a little before watching the Eagles with Dad and Carol and making air fryer wings. Bed at midnight. 

Monday  I hung out with Dad and Carol on the porch and they cleaned up the top two floors of the house which was a huge help. MFD and i finished the rest, then took the dogs to Dog Beach where everyone went in the water. I was going to leave by 1 but the weather was too good. We went to a fishing beach and whiled away the afternoon there. It was glorious. MFD wasn’t ready to leave when I was so I walked home along the beach with daylight fading in the background. Now that’s my type of commute. Shower, dog walking, packing up, final touches upstairs for the MS event team coming in Friday, and sweet dreams by 10:30.

Weekly food prep: Welp as of right now nothing is prepared but tonight I'm making pork loin, wild rice, and broccoli, so...that'll be lunch and dinner for a few days. I'll probably do breakfast burritos from the freezer for breakfasts. 

I intended to post this yesterday but then was like eh still weekending. Happy birthday to Lauren from Saturday and Shelby from yesterday!