A committed underacquirer

In other words, I am FRUGAL. Decided to get a new window in my house. I love the big old wooden windows, but really, I have to admit that they do not function! A pane broke out, the storm window is broken and the pulley broke so that the window does not even open. Still, it is very hard for me to part with it. Maybe I will replace them one at a time? The storm windows rattle when the wind blows and some of them don't work well anymore. Costs about $500 for one, I fear. I have 13 windows.

I have love/hate relationships with many things. BRIDGETON, the town that I live in, lacks interesting stores and restaurants, but it is quiet. Our local NEWSPAPER just became "regionalized" and now incorporates Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester Counties. I love having a paper delivered that I can read at night but many articles are now about places I don't care about. Did I mention they also changed their name (I hate that) to South Jersey times? The DENTIST causes me pain and stress and breaks my teeth but I love the feeling AFTER I get my teeth cleaned. And some of them give me free stuff.

Went to an author lecture last night at the Cumberland County College. Heard Joyce Carol Oates. She read a short story called San Quentin. She shared with us the difficulties of teaching writing in a prison in that the prisoners don't really want any criticism of their work. Then she read a story called Ugly out of her anthology which was the One book, one college selection this year (Faithless : tales of transgression). She has quite a range of topics in her writings. She teaches at Princeton and tells her students she doesn't care if they like or don't like a book. The important thing is how did it make you feel. Someone asked her what does she like to read for pleasure. She said that she is a masochist and does not read for pleasure! She reads for review.

The trash fairy

Haven't figured out new neighbors yet, but I LIKE one older, white, bearded, odd guy. Because he takes my trash container out to the curb and brings it back. Just being nice? I call him my "trash fairy" since it started happening and I didn't know why. I still don't know why, I just know WHO. That is the NICE kind of neighbor surprise.
I have had some bad surprises lately, too, which is mostly what I expect. On the back of the corner are a bunch of loud white people who curse a lot outdoors. Hate that.

Went to my exercise class this AM. I LOVE the teacher. She just came back from workshops in Arizona. Learned about "brain gym". She will be springing that and other stuff on us in the upcoming weeks. She is adorable and is always saying inspiring stuff, like, when you are thinking "no", make it into "ON".

Took a pill for my dental appointment today. I think it gave me a positive outlook on a lot of things. Unfortunately, I was told I have to get my wisdom tooth pulled out. I have had nothing but BAD news about my teeth ever since I retired and stopped having dental insurance. I don't get it. I was supposed to have inherited very good teeth from my mother and father.

The weather is too perfect. Went up to 68 degrees today. And it is winter.

I need a headline

Went to listen to my Playlist as library patrons are annoying me. Adults are either drunk, stoned or stupid and kids are cute or wild, depending on your mood. Couldn't get my music to work (this is a very common occurrence). Oh, but then, I realized I hadn't plugged in my headphones!

Just got a phone call from "Anonymous". Pretty sure that is no one I want to talk to. And phone doesn't really work when in the library.

Drove past Angie's Diner today and realized the GRAND OPENING sign hadn't even been removed before they had a suspicious fire that burned up their kitchen. It was bought out by new owners who promptly fired all of the help and started all over with their own family members. There was an article promoting them in the newspaper but I hadn't heard really good things about'em. It is really sad, because it was a cute old fashioned red diner right on the river and now it has an ugly fence around it and is all burned out.

Cacophony

Time for the headphones again. Stopped into McDonald's to use the computer and they have the TV AND the radio going.

Had a "handyman" stop by today. Makes me nervous due to mess at my house. We just talked about stuff that needs doing and then he went away. Odd sense of accomplishment. Enjoyed getting ADVICE about what to do about certain things.

Good reunion last night of women friends from, oh, 40 or so years ago. Amazingly good turn out, more than 10. Woman from Oakland, CA and one from Cape Cod. Almost felt guilty that I only had to travel a number of BLOCKS to get to the gathering. We were supposed to report on what we had been doing since our days of rabble rousing in Bridgeton area. Here are some of the current occupations of our group...artist, unemployed lawyer, retired librarian, psychotherapist, trophy wife. It was warm and cozy and delicious. I showed some slides of Women of the Sticks activities and we couldn't even remember who all of the people were in the pictures.

Feeling irritable

Don't know why I am feeling so irritable this afternoon. Had a nice morning at our annual Christmas fund raising event; helping, buying and admiring cute children. But now I feel rushed and unhealthy. "NEED" to exercise but feel incapable of doing it. Always struggling to fit in computer and exercise and appreciation of the limited daylight hours. Drove by McDonald's but there was no handy parking and people were sitting at my favorite laptop table. So, I rushed over to the library and was confronted by NOISY, obnoxious child. With "caretakers" who seem oblivious to the commotion. Stopped at a deli on the way and THEY HAD NO DIET COKE. Had to go to Shoprite to purchase something for dinner but I didn't really WANT to be there, nor did I have the time for it.

Recently had a haircut and color. Not sure where I want to go with my hair. Somewhat disappointed that I lost my highlights to which I was quite attached. Have been jumping around from hairdresser to hairdresser since mine up and moved to Arizona (the bum!) It WAS, however, a really enjoyable day (Friday) as I had a lot of attention from hairdresser and then got a manicure and a pedicure. Boy, am I SPOILED!

Saw a good show on TV the other night. It was just a serendipitous discovery going around the dial as this is how I watch TV. It was called Park Avenue : money, power and the American dream. As the New York Post described it, "Channel 13's rich bash".
I believe it was based on the book 740 Park Avenue about some of the residents of this building who are not particularly nice, in addition to being billionaires. It talked about how the Koch brothers are behind the "grass roots" movement known as the Tea party.

Too much sun

I can't believe I just had to move my whole computer set up due to TOO MUCH SUN. I am constantly harping about my NEED for sun and warmth and then I had too much of it. It is hard to use the computer when there are a lot of reflections. Was reviewing my journal from the summertime and I had to laugh because I wrote that I needed to think about a vacation to somewhere COOLER. Now all I can think about is my need for a vacation to somewhere WARMER. The eternal malcontent, that's me!

So excited that I learned how to share a video yesterday. I kind of miss being FORCED to learn things in the workplace. It is tempting to fall behind when left to my own devices. The other day I couldn't even remember how to make a Word document single spaced. To be fair, I couldn't remember that even when I was working.

Wish I had access to my wreath I made from book pages. Now it is hanging in the Lummis Library in Greenwich. Today I was telling someone about it and wished I had at least a PICTURE to show. I was pleased that one of the fellas down there admired it enough to want to hang it up. I must add CRAFTS to my list of things to do at home.

Mitt Romney Style (Gangnam Style Parody)