Rainy Day In Cherry Hill

Began the late morning with breakfast and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Skeletor and Tri-Clops use an Infinity Stone to create a "Time Corridor" to go back into the past and assure that Castle Greyskull will never be built. He-Man, Battle Cat, Orko, and Man-at-Arms follow him. Skeletor turned one of the original Eternian clans, the Ape People, against the Snake People. He-Man must rescue the female head of the Snake Clan and prove to Skeletor why it's never a good idea to mess around with time. 

Called Uber after that. I was originally going to take the train and bus down to Church Road, but though it was sunny at that point, it was also thickly humid, sticky, and hot. The first driver canceled, but the second only took 4 minutes to arrive. The driver going home took a normal 7 minutes. There was a little traffic in Pennsauken going there and on the highway going home, but nothing horrible.

I told the driver he could drop me off anywhere in King's Croft and spent the next hour or so wandering around the sidewalks there. King's Croft is a huge, sprawling series of townhouses and condos between King's Highway and Church Road. The whole area is surrounded by lots of green fields and trees and gardens. Parents walked their small huskys and sweet-faced bulldogs with their children. I could see a huge pool and tennis courts as I strolled. Everything seemed to be in good shape, not a speck of trash anywhere. The townhouses were well-kept and maintained, and there was nothing but furniture and plant pots on the patios and balconies. 

That huge, sprawling layout proved to be a problem. I kept getting lost. It took me forever to find my way back to the map at the King's Highway entrance. Most of the buildings are townhouses, and thus, are much bigger than I need. I only need one or two rooms, not something large enough for families. They're also far more expensive, thanks to all that extra room, and thus have a higher Home Owner's Association fee. There's also the fact that many of the loops lack sidewalks, or sidewalks all the way around. The smaller buildings near Church Road looked like condos, though they were still a bit bigger than something like Playa Del Sol.

I finally turned off at Church Road. There were at least two more condo areas I wanted to check out. Crofton Commons looked like smaller versions of the condo buildings at King's Croft. The buildings at Clusters of Lexington were light brown with angular dark roofs and narrow rectangular strip windows. They were so 70's, I expected to see Charles Nelson Reilly and Brett Somers drinking and exchanging quips by the pool. Trouble was, there were heavy black clouds gathering on the horizon, and I didn't especially want to get caught in storms again. I ended up admiring the condo buildings from the sidewalk, opting to hurry past them and Thomas Paine Elementary School instead. 

Just beyond the Robert Mills Apartment Complexes were two small, older-style brick and wood shopping centers. I ducked into Gallo Bakery just in time. I'd barely been there for two minutes when it started pouring buckets. The Gallo Bakery in Cherry Hill is far less lavish than the one in Marlton. It's basically three glass cases filled with cookies, pastries, and cakes and a couple of brass chairs and tables. That was enough for me to enjoy a quiet half-hour nibbling on an apple-filled hamataschen while watching the rain fall heavily and listening to the nice young woman behind the counter take orders. There was even a small rumble of thunder at one point, though I never saw any lightning. 

The rain held off long enough for me to duck down to the next shopping center over. They had a Tony Soprano Pizza, smaller than the stand-alone building in Somerdale, but also a bit nicer. I had some trouble using their self-order kiosk, but I finally managed to get a slice of cheese, a slice of tomato-broccoli, and a can of Coke Zero. Enjoyed lunch while listening to a poor old man talk on his cell phone about a car accident to what was likely (I hope) his sympathetic lawyer.

Hurried down the block to a small WaWa after lunch. I grabbed a small toasted coconut pineapple milkshake and a Wild Cherry Pepsi Zero before calling Uber. I timed it well again. The showers had just started again when the driver pulled up in the parking lot. 

Soon as I got home, I went straight to bed for a nap. Even though I hadn't done a ton of walking, I was still tired. This has been a busier summer than usual for me! I went down at 3 PM and didn't get up until 5:30. 

Watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse after I rolled out of bed. Prince Pete is cranky because he can't get comfortable in his favorite chair. The others help him figure out why his chair is so uncomfortable, so he can get "Prince Pete's Catnap" and finally drift off to dream land. 

Moved to Remember WENN next. "Sight Unseen" is the first of three episodes in the series to deal with minority and disability relations in the late 30's and early 40's. Angela Colton (Molly Ringwald) is a blind young woman who wants to meet her favorite character, the Vagabond. "The Vagabond" is played by short, balding character actor Mackie Bloom (Christopher Murney). He has her dance with Jeff to preserve the illusion, but Angela is disappointed. She doesn't care what he looks like, only that his voice is filled with nobility and integrity. 

Went straight into Match Game '76 after WENN ended. Most of tonight finished up the week with Elaine Joyce, Fannie Flagg, and Jimmie Walker admiring a pretty lady who made her own lovely clothing. She was gone by the next week with goofy Avery Schriberer and acerbic Jo Ann Pflug. 

Finished the night with more WENN. "The Emperor Smith" is George Smith, a black waiter whom Betty recruits to take the role of Lord Branley, Elizabeth's new love interest on The Hands of Time after Mackie gets laryngitis. His deep, resonant voice makes him an absolute sensation. There is one small problem. George is a black man at a time when minorities were still looked down on by most people. Betty has to figure out how to hide him from a particularly persistent reporter without the help of Victor Comstock, who was called away on a top secret mission. 

(And note Victor being called away. His top secret work is a major plot point from the later first season onwards.)

Walking In Woodcrest

Started off the morning with breakfast and Little Bear. Little Bear, Duck, and Emily accidentally go "Rafting On the River" when their raft breaks free and heads downstream. Cat, Duck, and Owl race them to see whether land or water are the fastest ways to travel. "Little Bear's Kite" was made by him and Grandfather Bear on a fine windy day. Little Bear has fun imagining all the places it can fly too, until it runs into another kite...one that happens to be attached to a familiar friend. It's the "Night of the Full Moon." After Father tells Little Bear the story of monsters that appear during the full moon, they pretend to be monsters and try to scare Mother Bear. Mother, however, knows what the full moon can do to people and bears...

Headed out after the cartoon ended. Rode straight to the Collingswood PATCO. Fortunately, the train to Woodcrest arrived not more than 8 minutes after I sat down. The train wasn't busy at all. I think there were two other people going there with me. 

I got a very big shock when I got off. The Woodcrest PATCO station is twice the size of the ones further up the line. There was ample seating inside and out, a long row of ticketed swing doors, and someone was even in the ticket booth. I have never once in the 20 years I've lived here seen someone actually selling tickets in the Collingswood booth. It was even nice outside...at least until you turned towards the street, where they seemed to be doing exterior and track work. I had a hard time just finding my way out of the sprawling parking lot. 

As it turned out, the bridge over the train tracks did have sidewalks. I was easily able to walk over them, passing corporate buildings and towering luxury apartment buildings. I was surprised to see sponge manufacturer Scrub Daddy's offices in another building. I had no idea they were a local business. They're sold pretty much everywhere around here, from Dollar General to Target to the Acme. Passed them, then went by tall pine trees and a leaning sidewalk that went around the Cherry Hill Fire Hall. Thank heavens Haddonfield-Berlin Road was the only traffic-laden street I encountered on this trip. I tried to be careful crossing, especially given it was past noon by the time I did. 

Passed by a green-roofed shopping center for the time being, continuing down Browning Lane. Fortunately, the Centura Condominium complex wasn't even a block from the shopping center. Centura is a gated community, so I couldn't walk around the outside like I did elsewhere. I did see two kinds of buildings through the wrought-iron fences. One half the complex buildings were more like generic 70's townhouses. The other half were older, probably from the 50's, with a Spanish theme complete with cream-colored stucco walls. There was a sunken-in brick area with a charming fountain in front of the guard house. 

As far as I could tell, everything was very clean and well-maintained. The balconies sported either porch furniture and small grills or potted plants, no junk. I did hear there's a pool and tennis courts. Couldn't get around to the back to see what the trash areas were like. The lawns were spacious and velvety green, except for under the towering pine trees near the front. The rest of the neighborhood were the 60's and 70's tract houses that seem to be typical construction through most of Cherry Hill. I was a little annoyed that only the house side of the street had sidewalks. While Browning Lane wasn't mega-busy, it wasn't a quiet country road, either.

Backtracked to the Woodcrest Shopping Center after I saw all I could of Centura. This looks almost identical to the Plaza at Cherry Hill before it's recent makeover, a 70's-era outdoor mall with a green roof. Dunkin' Donuts was one out parcel. The other was an escape room that was definitely housed in a former Rite Aid/Eckards. I was so hot, I grabbed a tasty and sweet SunCloud Coconut Limeade at Dunkin's before deciding I was hungry enough for lunch.

I ate at Asad's Hot Chicken. They looked like a more colorful Crown Chicken and Gyro with an all-chicken menu. I went with two sliders with Cole slaw and pickles, fries, and a Sprite Zero. The girl said she gave me mild, but...yow! It wasn't mild at all! It was way too spicy for me! I did manage to eat one slider, but I couldn't finish the other. Too bad the fries were covered in spices, too. The ones I dug around for without them were really good. They were nice, but I don't think I'll be eating there again. Next time I'm in the area, I'll go to the pizza place across the street.

Explored a few other stores in the mall. Bought a gift card for my nephew Skylar's birthday and a box of Orange Cream cheap hydration mix at Dollar Tree. Wandered around an Asian Indian market, admiring the unique fruits, vegetables, candies, and baked goods. Peeked at Top Deck Games, a card and board game store. Most of their stock was overpriced, which was a shame. They had some nifty stuffed Pokemon. I saw a Strawberry Shortcake Candy Land game that I may see if I can pick up somewhere cheaper along the line.

After I left Top Deck Games, I started back...but I was thirsty again, and I really had to go to the bathroom. It was windy, cool, and cloudy, but also thickly humid. I asked two nice ladies sitting at a picnic table where the coffee shop in one of the corporate buildings was. I'm just glad no one called me on not belonging there. I bought a very tasty matcha latte from the dark and tan wood Terry's Cafe. Found the bathrooms not far from the nifty modern lounge area, with its soft dark blue velvet seats and weird chairs made of blue cloth straps and blue and orange wire flowers on the walls. 

Thankfully, I had no trouble after that. I ducked out of the bathroom and returned to the bridge. Spotted a set of concrete steps with yellow railings that went down to the parking lot. Once again, I got lucky and didn't have to wait long for a train. Took an only slightly busier train to Collingswood, then took my bike home.

Listened to the soundtrack from Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter as I got organized. I reviewed the movie two years ago, and found that it's a charming British MGM musical wrapped up in a vehicle for Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits. You get that sense here as well. In addition to the hit title song and "There's a Kind of Hush," we have the sales pitch "Lemon and Lime" and "The World Is For the Young" as Stanley Holloway, Sheila White, and Marjorie Rhoades discuss how the youth think they know everything about love. 

Switched to Descendants: Wicked Wonderland next. I go further into the latest movie in the Disney Channel fantasy crossover series at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Musicals On TV - Descendants: Wicked Wonderland

Watched Match Game '76 during dinner and after a much-needed shower. Lee Merriweather spent a lot of the week sporting a wig with luscious auburn locks. The others spent it answering questions about what beauty queens do when they get older.

Finished the night at the Roku Channel for The Rockford Files. "The Dark and Bloody Ground" is the first time lawyer Beth (Gretchen Corbett) hires Jim for a case. Here, she convinces him to help a woman accused of her husband's death in a fire accident. Turns out not only was her husband not who he claimed to be, he was the writer of a best-selling book that's being made into a movie. Jim and Beth have to dodge killers taking pot shots and trying to run them off the road when she discovers a loop hole that will allow a company to own the rights to a book if the author's dead. 

Cherry Hill Matches

Got a really quick start this morning with a small breakfast and Bluey. Bandit takes the girls for a "Wagon Ride" to the park, but he keeps stopping to talk to neighbors. Bluey is impatient to get there, until Bandit points out Bingo playing along the way. She discovers that getting there is half the fun, and she and Bingo can wait and find enjoyable things to do.

Headed to Collingswood for the Farm Market after I finished eating. They were busy, but not to the degree that they often are, even by 11:30. I missed the strawberries again, but they still had a ton of everything else. Asparagus is gone, but peas and radishes are in season. I didn't see cherries, but to my surprise, I saw peaches. Someone had North Carolina blueberries, too. I got the peaches and the blueberries, along with a Bubba's Creamery coconut bar. 

Went to lunch after I left the farm market. I'd been wanting to try breakfast at Jersey Kabobs ever since Jessa and I ate there in Janaury. They were even busier during the day than at night! I went with an egg, cheese, tomato, and green pepper dish called menemen. It came in a huge flat pan with toasted buttered bread and was absolutely delicious. I'm glad I went with feta cheese. It added the right traditional flavors without getting as stringy and messy as mozzarella would have. 

As I left Jersey Kabobs and returned to the parking lots behind the Collingswood Senior Center where the bike rack is, I saw a sign for an estate sale at 403 Haddon Avenue. Turns out it's much further down Haddon Avenue, in the largely residential area around the new fire hall and the just-closing Garfield School. The 1910's-era house was huge, three stories of fine china, casserole dishes and small appliances from the 60's, records, books, and board games from the 60's and 70's, and clothes going back to the 1940's. I wanted the casserole dishes, but the heavy vintage glass measuring cup I ended up with was enough to carry home. I also bought a 60's-era Arabian Nights picture book and the 2-disc record set Jo Anne Castle and Her Ragtime Piano. 

(I'm glad I got the records and book out of there when I did. The first floor was air conditioned and heavily carpeted. The upper floors were not. The attic looked like it had been remade into rooms, but the window fans up there did nothing but move musty air around and distribute dust. I was sweating bullets when I finally came downstairs with my finds.)

After I got home, I put everything upstairs, got a drink, then called Uber. The one going to Cherry Hill cost me a bundle, but he did arrive in 8 minutes. I went through two going home. The first driver canceled at the very last minute. The second, thankfully, took the same 10 minutes to arrive. Surprisingly for a Saturday in Cherry Hill, no traffic either way.

I had the lady drop me off at the Sussex House, across from the Cherry Hill Library on King's Highway. It's a basic tan brick 60's apartment building, but it apparently does have condos for sale. There's not much else there, though. Though a few of the balconies had patio furniture, most seemed to be storage areas for bikes and outside gear and looked rather messy. At least the outside, while dull and dusty, was also clean and neat. An older gentleman taking a rest from custodian work in the shade of the building waved to me as I passed him.

Briefly strolled in the area behind the Sussex House, but while the streets had far better signage than the meandering Barclay cul-de-sacs and the houses were slightly older (probably dating to the 50's-60's), it was the same winding roads and suburban bric-a-brac. I did hear several families playing in backyards and in their air conditioning, including a father adorably playing games with what I suspect was his toddler daughter. Not wanting to get lost like I did two weeks ago, I made my way back up to King's Highway. At least it was a gorgeous day for all the walking, sunny, bright, and hot, but not nearly as humid as earlier in the week. 

The Sussex House side of King's Highway isn't much to look at, either. It's mainly a sea of dried front lawns, law and health offices, smoke shops, and car washes. The one shopping center is a slightly newer brick building directly across the street from the Ellisburg Center. TKO Fitness and Metro by TMobile hold little interest for me, but I did explore Mom's Organic Market. This is basically a smaller version of Sprouts, with the same bulk items and a lot of the same brands. I don't know how they do well with the similar and much larger Whole Foods across the street, but I did get organic strawberries, dried sweetened pineapple rings, orange marmalade, and Roar strawberry lemonade drink.

Finished the night after I got home with dinner and tonight's Match Game marathon. Patty Duke, then Patty Duke Astin, may have been one of the biggest stars at the time to be a semi-regular on Match Game. When she began in 1976, she was mainly doing TV movies and appearances on shows, and was still likely best-known for her early 60's sitcom The Patty Duke Show that had her playing identical cousins. 

When Patty was in a good mood, she could be a lot of fun. Gene once led her read a question. Her obvious relish and enjoyment of playing host makes it surprising that she never tried something like that again. She watched Richard and Gene argue over a contestant on a nighttime episode, tugging her arms back and forth until Gene finally pulled her away. When he asked her if she was all right, she responded "well, my arms are longer than when I came here!" She saw a pregnant contestant who looked a bit like her win big money on another nighttime episode.

Patty appeared on the series from 1976 through the end of the syndicated run in 1982, and in fact, probably did her best work in the syndicated episodes. She happily encouraged Robert Walden to strip off his sweater and jacket, then used his sweater as a wrap to play Little Match Girl. She protested Charlene Tilton's revealing clothing, then joined the equally small Bill and Charlene in complaining about a question that joked about short people. The Valerie Bertanelli week was already off the rails, what with Ed Asner and Gene lusting after the barely 19-year-old Valerie, and Patty clearly being at a low point didn't help matters. She did better on a week later in the syndicated run where she sat in for Brett Somers, who was out doing a play. Charles would often joke when someone went into ham mode that "Patty Duke should see that fine acting," even when Patty was there to witness their scenery-chewing.

It's double your pleasure, double your laughs with both sides of this Oscar and Emmy-winning TV favorite!

Match Game Saturday Classics - Patty Duke Astin Best Shows on Match Game

Just Too Much

Overslept this morning, and couldn't get through to Mrs. Stahl, either. Tried to cheer myself up with breakfast and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. "It's Love Day," and Daniel and his friends are all showing how much they care about each other. Dan's even more interested in figuring out who gave him a card with a boat on it. Grandpere visits for "Daniel's Love Day Surprise." Dan sets up a game for Grandpere to find hearts all over the living room, but Margaret finds one first. He's upset, until his grandfather reminds him that she didn't know, and finding hearts and giving him sloppy kisses are her way of expressing love.

Had barely enough time to check listings before I left. A lot of people keep bringing up roommates. On one hand, I do need to meet more people, and they might be able to help me (and I could help them). The problem is, first of all, many of the rooms for rent in this area aren't that much cheaper than the less-expensive apartments. Second, I haven't had a roommate since college. Third, there's my things. I honestly plan on ditching at least one book shelf and possibly the bedding, but I still have other furniture and items. I need to figure out what to do with them, or see if my new roommate needs more furniture. 

I was still depressed at work. Work was off-and-on busy, not as bad as earlier in the week, but more than yesterday. We're supposed to be getting a teensy bit of snow on Sunday. Not only does it sound like it'll be light at worst, but it's been so warm, it's unlikely to do anything besides look pretty coming down. In fact, I think it hit the upper 50's-lower 60's today. I was able to wear my fleece work jacket instead of my heavy winter coat. 

Went straight into grocery shopping after work. Didn't really need a whole lot. Jessa's birthday is tomorrow - picked up a card and gift card for her. Found three crusted fish fillets with manager's coupons. The blood oranges are still out, and grapes are on good sales with an online coupon. Had an online coupon for Bryers Ice Cream, which is also on a good sale this week. Also had a digital coupon for peanut butter and yogurt. Restocked cereal, chocolate chips, celery, and a bag of broccoli and cauliflower.

Not thrilled with my schedule next week. In good news, two days off this time, Tuesday for counseling and Saturday. Thing is, almost all of those are 7 or 8 1/2 hour shifts, and two of them are bagging. I'll never have the time to get anything done, including finding an apartment.

I was dead tired when I finally made it home. I did manage to get everything put away while watching Match Game '78. Gene starts off the episode by climbing through the scaffolding in the set. The others argue their answers to what a girl who is a "real doll" does. Guich Kooch is far happier to help a lady 

figure out the Audience Match for "The Town __."

I didn't really hear much of the next episode, which began Christmas week with Joe Santos of The Rockford Files, soap star Carol Jones, and Dick Martin and Fannie Flagg. I just couldn't stand anymore. I was totally overwhelmed. Everything just keeps getting worse and worse. Everyone keeps saying "be positive," and "have faith," but how can I do that when nothing is going right? I am so very, very tired. I know I'm supposed to get a job, get a roommate, do the right thing, do what I'm supposed to do. All I want is a home of my own, but I'm not good enough for that. 

Managed to get myself together and have a coconut-crusted tilapia fillet with steamed broccoli and cauliflower. I settled down with Match Game PM as Gary Burghoff and Elaine Joyce made out in the opening. Later on, Gene and Brett showed off their own version of getting down and dirty with a "bun to bun" disco move (which Gary dubbed "the Encino trout"). 

Talked to Mom for nearly an hour while Match Game and Sale of the Century ran. She's mad as heck with Rose for abandoning me. I'm not mad at Rose. Annoyed with her, but not angry. She did what she could. She's a lawyer. She handled the legalities. I've one too many times not done something I said I'd do, and I don't blame her for being upset. This is all very frustrating. Plus, she has kids to take care of, whether they're in school or not. 

That doesn't mean I appreciate her trying to shove me on Mom, either. Mom says she'll talk to the owner of her house about having me, but I really don't want her to. Cape May County is largely oriented towards millionaires, tourists, and history nuts. Beautiful area, but none of us have the money to live there anymore, including me. Plus, there's even less housing and fewer job opportunities and hospitals. It's why I turned down my high school friend Kristie's offer of a room, too. Rose has it in her head that Cape May is safer, but she hasn't lived there in over 20 years. 

Mom's also still after me about getting a job. I haven't because I already work one demanding physical job. My mind's too fried for signing up for more retail work, but I could do more research on some part-time online work tomorrow. The other thing she's pushing is something I can do right away - keep better track of my finances. I stopped trying to write everything down in a book, because it took too much time when you can just go online and check what you've spent and what money you have. I do need to figure out how much money I'm paying and what my expenses are now. I only pay rent - no bills - so I need to find out where besides a few streaming companies my money is going to. 

Printed out the ledgers, but my brain was too far gone for anything else besides an episode of The Love Boat. A glittery turquoise gown is "A Dress to Remember" in all three of this episode's stories. Captain Steubing (Gavin McLeod) helps a poor flower seller (Eleanor Parker) be a lady for her long-lost daughter (Catherine Parks) and her fiancé (Kelly Monteith). Two diet doctors vie for a lovely lady (Markie Post) who hopes one of their diets will help her shed a few pounds. One guy (Bob Denver) is so desperate to get his ex-wife (Brianne Leary) back, he dresses in drag to avoid her father (Forrest Tucker), who never liked him. 

Matches In the Night

Slept in and read in bed this morning. Buzzr was on the end of Supermarket Sweep by the time I got to the rest of the veggie pizza for breakfast. Arrived just in time for the winners to look for the 5,000. Alas, they got so close, but they missed the final question at the last second.

Let it go into Match Game '74 while I  ate and did the dishes. Gunilla Hutton of Petticoat Junction showed off her jeans that said "skoal" on the rear, predating the fad of women wearing messages on their rears in the early 2000's by nearly 40 years. She was joined by Richard Deacon on his first week, Nipsey Russell (sitting in for Charles), and goofy Mitzi McCall. 

Spent the next few hours online, checking for apartments and printing paperwork for the three I was seeing today. I didn't see a whole lot, but I'll keep an eye out. The owner of the apartment in Collingswood e-mailed me last night. I can't see the place tomorrow, but I could see it tonight at 5:30.

Broke to make a quick orange-banana smoothie and watch an episode of Doc McStuffins. Sir Kirby hopes that "Sir Kirby's Derby" will be an easy win on his stuffed "steed" Bonnie Blue. Bonnie cracks a wheel after a bad jump, but Kirby's so determined to win, he keeps on going. He gets his wish, but feels guilty when Bonnie's crack gets worse. Doc explains that everyone makes mistakes, but he does need to keep a better eye on his horse and make sure she gets treatment at the first signs of trouble. Lenny the Fire Truck becomes a "Ticklish Truck" after a pillow fight. There's something stuck in him that makes him laugh and squirt water uncontrollably. Doc and the others try to figure out what, then get it out.

Dashed off to my first apartment viewing of the day right after the episode ended. I was two minutes late, but apparently Mary Johnson the realtor only arrived a minute or so ahead of me. The owner wasn't able to clear out one of the two apartments, so I could only see A today. 

It's in a small brick duplex on the White Horse Pike in Audubon, across from the wicker store and a block or so from the WaWa and Cooper Medical office. I loved all the closet space, including a small walk-in closet in my bedroom, and there's a nice new carpet and a remodeled bathroom. The rest of the house didn't look as new. The white cabinets with the light wood trim in the narrow kitchen reminded me of the ones at our late 60's split-level house in North Cape May in the 90's, though at least the sink was new and the appliances were updated. The bathroom was even tinier than my old one on Manor. There was also no place to put my bike around back and no laundry room, though there is a laundromat in the block of storefronts behind the WaWa. 

Since I was in Audubon anyway, I rode to the Acme after I finished looking at the apartment. Ran into a lot of great sales. There's still some ice cream left on clearance. Found pints of Acme's generic natural brand and the coconut milk ice cream for 90 cents each! Dug up packs of chicken legs and thighs for less than $1.50 in a few cases. Found yogurt cups with 50 cent coupons that rendered them free. Picked up a card for my niece Lilah's seventh birthday next week. Grabbed clementines, celery, and tomatoes on sale. Found stuffed clams in the seafood section. Restocked bananas, milk, butter, lettuce (actually, escarole), pears, canned tomato sauce, mandarin oranges, and a can of tropical fruit salad. 

Mixed feelings on my schedule next week. Fewer hours, though not enough to wreck havoc on my paycheck. I'm also cashiering all week, and my only long days are Sunday and Thursday. Trouble is, three days in a row are until 7. I'll be riding home in the dark. I do have Monday and Tuesday off, Tuesday for counseling...but then I work the rest of the week, and lord knows when I'll get another day off. When will I be able to do my grocery shopping?

Mom called as I put everything away at home. She mainly wanted to see how my apartment hunting was coming. Happily told her I saw one apartment and would be seeing another. And yes, I've explained to Mary Johnson and everyone else about my situation with my finances and Jodie. I'm not the only person in that situation. People say they want nice, quiet tenants, but they go with the ones that'll pay them...and I just don't make enough money. 

Watched Whew! while I talked.  Another young man barely got a tiebreaker round as I pushed the backpack in the hall closet. He, too, had trouble with the Gauntlet, although I think he made it to the sixth villain before time ran out.

The apartment in Collingswood is on a street I'm not familiar with, and dark was rapidly advancing. I took an Uber driver. She showed up in good time, but took forever to get where she was going. I wish more drivers came from South Jersey! She took the long way around, down the White Horse Pike and past the Collingswood Diner. I barely got there on time.

Knocked on the door of the small 1910's house on the quiet, dark residential street, but no one answered. Went up the high, narrow wooden stairs, but no one answered there, either. I finally found the owner in the back with what I presumed to be two neighbors or other tenants. I hadn't realized she got home at 5:15. No harm done, she said, and proceeded to show me the big garage where I could keep my bike. The laundry room holds washers and dryers for each tenant and cabinets to hold their detergent. She was a sprightly little woman who reminded me a lot of Lauren, up to and including her hoodie sweater and the fact that she didn't have to duck down when we went to see the laundry room.

The apartment was really lovely. It too is small, but unlike the one in Audubon, the entire space was remodeled. The huge kitchen showed signs of still being worked on, with tools laying on the breakfast bar. It had been the home of a mother and 8-year-old daughter, but when the two-bedroom apartment next to it opened, they took that. The bedroom was tiny, but it too had new carpet, and the living room was a good size and had new laminate floors and a brand-new air conditioner. In fact, my only complaints are it being somewhat off the main road and there being less closet space than in the Audubon duplex. The lady was even nice enough to drive me home after I explained my financial situation and all the trouble with Jodie and Rose.

I'm still having trouble getting into the apartment. Got my neighbor to try to help. For some reason, the key opened a lock above the one on the knob. Whatever. It got me in. 

Went straight into Match Game '78 on Buzzr while heating up burgers and Brussels sprouts for dinner. Richard Dawson had a bad eye infection that caused him to wear dark glasses on his last two weeks of Match Game (and Family Feud as well). They made him even harder to decipher than usual. Not a good thing, as he was in a foul mood by this point and barely playin. The others, including Richard Paul, Jo Ann Harris, and a lady who let out a weird random laugh, had a lot more fun.

Rose called as I slid the pan into the oven. I was just about to text her anyway and keep her up to date about my apartment hunt. She's debating whether or not to text Jodie's cousin lawyer. At this point, I don't care what she does, as long as it gets me a place and calms Jodie down. I'm fed up with her ranting. It's not like I haven't been looking for a place! I've spent the last four and a half months trying to find an apartment. We're in the middle of a pandemic and living in an area that's expensive under normal circumstances.

Finished the night with more Betty White on Match Game PM. Unlike the daytime version, the syndicated nighttime show continued to be popular through late 1979. In fact, it was still such a hit, it encouraged the producers to bring it back in daytime syndication. Classic episodes from this round included the time that Gene and Richard nearly yanked a poor lady's arms out of her sockets when Gene tried to drag her way after Rich kissed her, the one with the male contestant from Brooklyn and the female contestant with the beautiful braids I mentioned a few weeks ago, the last episode on the original set with Bernie Koppel that had contestants who were so bad Charles was the only one who matched them, Jon "Bowzer" Bauman donning a giant red polka dot clown tie in an attempt to "dress up" for the nighttime show, the PM episode from the Jack/Brett week in 1978 that continued their feuding, Gene donning Guich Koch's huge cowboy hat, and him and Betty doing a mock strip tease when a contestant admitted she was a student of the human anatomy.

Do more matching in the nighttime with Betty! And come back tomorrow at 7 for Betty finishing out the PM show's run in 1980 and 1981.

Betty White: A Life Well Lived - Match Game PM 1977 - 1979