Brave New Worlds

Got a quick start with breakfast and "Mr. Duck Steps Out." Donald wants to go on a date with Daisy, but his nephews want to go, too. He tries to distract them with ice cream, but they'd rather send a popping corn cob in his beak. Good thing this makes him a heck of a jitterbugger and Daisy thinks he's just creating a new dance. 

I got up early because a friend was helping me clear out that storage room in Lawnside and bring my remaining things here, and she could only get a truck from the Home Depot across from Extra Storage at 8 in the morning. We went in. I put in the deposit on the truck when they could get me to a card machine that worked. We went outside, climbed into a nice little truck, and drove across the street. 

It was so early, the office wasn't open yet. I'd talk to them later. For now, we removed everything that remained in the room, including the cassettes, the Star Wars action figures and shelf they hung on, my cookbooks and cake decorating books, the old dresser I used to use for storing small items like tape, and my pots and pans. I also finally found the fall wreath I'd been looking for. Clearing the entire room out and bringing it all home took a little over an hour. 

After we dropped off the truck, she drove me to Collingswood so I could take money out of PNC Bank to pay her. At least we could do that quick, too. There was no trouble on the road, no traffic anywhere, even in Lawnside. I was home by quarter of 10.

Spent the next hour shelving cookbooks while watching Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. Jodi is upset when her mother goes away in "Jodi's Mama Travels for Work," like my sisters and I were when Dad had to go on long fishing trips in the 80's and 90's. Jodi is reminded that grown-ups will come back to you, just like we were. In this case, her mother left her a paper chain with links that lead to special surprises. "The Tiger Family Babysits" when Nana goes to the store. Jodi's toddler brothers Teddy and Leo are scared, but Daniel knows how to distract them.

Switched to The Busy World of Richard Scarry next. Huckle and Hilda are supposed to be "King and Queen for a Day" in the big parade. Hilda isn't happy with the rocket ship float Mr. Fix It insists on, and Huckle doesn't want to be caught in the middle. When he gets sick, it's Lowly who has to  show them how to compromise. A young pig is determined to show she can be a good cowgirl and lead "The Piggy Express" through rain, sleet, and heat. The hobos who live in town teach the kids that "Practice Makes Perfect" when they dig out their own records and find music they want to rehearse for the school recital.

Headed out shortly after 11. Took Uber to my first stop of the afternoon. I wanted to make sure everything was good at Extra Storage and they knew we were out. The cheerful girl at the counter in the main building said they figured it out when they saw I left the door to the storage room open as requested online and ended my account shortly after. I even got to keep the lock I used for the room. 

Thought it would be easier to let Uber pick me up at the Shop-Rite across the street, especially since I was going that way anyhow. Grabbed two bottles of Pepsi Wild Cherry and Cream Zero, then called the driver. The driver going to Somerdale came in 2 minutes; the one going to Lawnside arrived in 4. Once again, no trouble on the road. We were at Amy's Omlette House in 5 minutes.

They were a little busier, but it didn't take me long to get a seat. I enjoyed the "lite bites" pancakes so much the last time I had them, I tried another type of "lite bites" pancakes. Caramel Apple Pancakes were topped with sliced apples and drizzled with caramel. Think I tasted walnuts in the pancakes. Not bad. The apples were just sweet and tart enough, and their tartness helped make the caramel less overwhelmingly sweet. 

Hurried down the White Horse Pike back towards Magnolia after I ate. I mainly came that way to finally see Captain America: Brave New World. I wanted to last week when it came out, but I just didn't have the time. I slid into a full theater just as the commercials ended. I won't go into spoilers, but I did enjoy it. I always liked the Captain America films, and this one was no exception. Harrison Ford did especially well as the tough-guy president who is trying to make a peace treaty with Japan and get his hands on a new type of alien metal that has fallen to Earth, and he plays well off Anthony Mackie as the new Captain America. The politics may be murky and the plot is overly complicated and smacks of 70's-80's arms race paranoia, but this isn't bad, and is certainly better than the action film I saw last February, Argylle. 

I didn't figure it out until a teacher told me after the movie ended, but the reason the theater was full on a Tuesday afternoon was a middle school were there on a school trip. That was annoying. They talked noisily, left a mess all over, and the boys made inappropriate noises and jokes during quiet times. The kids were so obnoxious, three of the people sitting next to me got up and left with almost a half-hour before the movie ended. (And why the heck were they seeing a Marvel movie on a school day? Black History Month?)

Made a brief stop at Dollar Tree to buy a new comb (and make change for the bus), then went up the hill to Walmart. Didn't find a whole lot there. The TV sets that interested me had security locks on them, and there were almost no records left. I bought probiotic soda, Junkless granola bars, and disinfectant wipes. Went down to the White Horse Pike to pick up the bus after I finished. They were a little over 10 minutes late, not bad for the height of rush hour. I got home within 15 minutes. 

Soon as I got home, I went through more of the boxes, upstairs and down, trying to figure out what worked upstairs and what didn't. Cleared out a lot of stuff, from cassettes I'd since bought on CD or record to now-expired tea and spices. Moved the cassette shelves downstairs when the remaining cassettes and the player worked fine on one of the record crates. Moved pots and pans to a bin and brought the crate they were in upstairs to hold records. 

Watched Double Platinum while I worked. I go further into this TV movie from 1999 featuring Diana Ross and Brandy as an estranged mother and daughter at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Musicals On TV - Double Platinum 

Switched to Match Game Syndicated during dinner. I don't think putting Bob Barker next to Charlene Tilton was a smart move. He and Gene spent most of the week drooling over her. Meanwhile, Richard Deacon is more than happy to throw a little shade at Bob, while everyone else tosses it Gene and Brett's way.

Finished the night testing the cassette player with one of my last finds before I moved. I fished a 12-tape collection of oldies from 1993 out of the trash pile at Jodi's house. I don't know why she was throwing it away. Only the first tape is missing, and the rest work just fine. I went with Tape 7, which features lively dance numbers like "At the Hop" by Danny and the Juniors and sweeter ballads like "Take Good Care of My Baby" by Bobby Vee and "Since I Don't Have You" by the Skyliners. (Oh, and the cassette player works just fine.) 

Movin' Out

Began the morning by calling out of work. Beyond having to move today, I'm not crazy about being stuck working nine days in a row again. I had to call twice because the manager wants to hear that 

with breakfast and the first episode of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. It's "Daniel's Birthday," and he's excited about the cake he helped decorate with Baker Aker. His delight turns to disappointed when he brings it home, and it's smushed. His dad helps him find something good about it anyway. Dan and his friends Miss Elaina and Prince Wednesday are excited about "Daniel's Picnic." First, their ball deflates...but it helps them discover a new game. Then they're chased inside by rain, but decide you can have a picnic inside, too. 

Put music on YouTube as I bustled around, trying to get everything done. Washed the dishes, then packed them. Threw anything that was still loose into boxes and taped them. Striped the sheets and bagged them and the remaining stuffed animals. Packed up the laptop and its accessories. 

I was still working when my neighbors arrived. One came earlier and swept around the front steps, so no one would slip. We started making piles of what would go into storage and what I wanted to take. There was no way around calling a storage facility. I wouldn't need my kitchen things in two small rooms, and my Christmas things wouldn't fit. (I did point out that we're close enough to Easter to bring my spring decorations bin, and I only have one small bag for the summer and patriotic decorations anyway.) Even the children of my neighbors next-door and across the street helped.

Kevin the mover and his partner arrived around quarter of 10. For slender guys, they sure were strong. They loaded everything I wanted to take into their big square truck. The little boys were fascinated by that truck, until they ran down the street to play other games. Jodie, her son TJ, and his husband Eric would take anything that didn't fit or wasn't needed to my new storage room in Lawnside later.

Yes, I now have a storage unit. It's the smallest one they have. This wasn't super-cheap, but it was also the closest option for storage. Most storage facilities in this area are in Cherry Hill or Maple Shade. My neighbor across the street helped me get through to them and sign everything. 

Melissa, Brittany, and I left Jodie waiting for her sons and followed Kevin and his truck to Cindy's. She was more than happy to chat with the ladies while Kevin and his friend did the lifting, with occasional help from me. (I do heft 35 count containers of bottled water for a living!)

It took almost over a hour and a half to get everything in. Thankfully, the desk did fit...but the futon did not. I finally decided not to keep it. My remaining furniture consisted of shelves, a table, and the long, narrow entertainment center and fit just fine. If anything, height was more of a question than getting them through the door. More than three-fourths of the boxes and bins wound up in the closet. 

I organized the spices while they finished. I took out some bottles she didn't have or only had small amounts of, like ginger and orange peel. Gave the rest to Kevin, who said he liked to cook, to thank him for doing so well (along with his regular pay). 

We went back over to Jodie's around 12:30. TJ and Eric only just arrived and finished loading the truck. Melissa, Brittany, and I took a quick side detour to Dollar General. We couldn't find a lock there, but we did get soda. I tried the new Coca Cola Starlight. I thought it tasted metallic...until I realized I grabbed the Coke Zero version instead of the regular. Oh well. I probably don't need that much sugar.

 It took us a while to get everyone going in the right direction, but we did manage to get there. The series of low white and green buildings were near the cemetery and Dunkin' Donuts. We stopped in to ask the young lady at the desk about getting in and if we needed a lock. They provided the locks, but I did need to get my number to open the gate from the information they sent me online. 

Turns out, I should have been more discriminate about who packed what and what they packed. I retrieved several items I knew would fit at the other house, including tea and bag of important folders I kept under my desk. I didn't want records in the small space I rented, because I wasn't sure they'd fit or survive being in a small cramped room. TJ and Eric said they'd keep the remaining box of records at their house outside of Philly until I was ready for them. 

Brittany and I stopped for Chick Fil'A on the way back to Oaklyn. I ate a grilled chicken sandwich while she took us to her house next-door to Jodie's. I went in to clear out the refrigerator. Some half-empty condiments I got rid of, but I did bring others, frozen and fresh vegetables, and the two packs of chicken. 

We were eventually joined by another neighbor, who offered to pick up my bike and go out to dinner with me. Everyone else had other plans. After briefly stopping so my neighbor could visit her feisty older mother, we went out to eat. We were going to invite everyone, but the others were all busy. Truth be told, I was tired of dealing with crowds anyway. I was fine treating my neighbor to a mararita and taco at Jalepeno's Bar and Grill. I had the same iced tea and veggie quesadilla as I did when Lauren ate there in September. We enjoyed our meal and marveled at the two enormous men who had six beers between them.

She finally dropped me off around quarter of 6. Having moved my things off of it, they deemed my old mattress too far gone and got rid of it.

After we took the mattress downstairs and my neighbor left, I made the bed, unloaded the stuffed animals, and went through the closet. I couldn't find my work lunch bag, and I needed it! It was the one thing I needed that I just couldn't find. Everything else missing reappeared. My neighbor threw the electrical safety strip into one of the entertainment center cabinets. I put the remote control for the TV in my purse so it wouldn't vanish. Unloaded a few boxes with questionable items, some of which should have been discarded, donated, or put in storage. Took more boxes to the bedroom. I went over every inch of that darn closet, and I just couldn't find it. I'll try again tomorrow.

It was so late by the time I got in the shower, I only had the time for a Match Game '76 episode before the Super Password premiere on YouTube. Talk show host Mike Douglas turned up in the opening, jokingly asking if he went in the wrong studio and congratulating the panel for the show being such a hit. Brett was delighted to have someone else around to flirt with. Gene wasn't as happy, though, adding to the gag by claiming Douglas hit him on the head. 

Weathering the Storms

Began the morning with breakfast and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. "Mickey's Handy Helpers" break down right before they're supposed to make a huge dinner for the Disney crew. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto go below the Clubhouse to the Handy Helper Machine to find out what's making the squeak inside it.

It poured cats, dogs, and chickens as I quickly rounded up my lunch and changed. There was no way I could ride to work on the bike. Called Uber and waited for them on the porch. I took me a while to find someone, but I still managed to get to work just in time.

Work was on-and-off busy, mainly because we continue to be short on help. They just didn't have anyone else they could assign to the morning shift. I did manage to shelve candy between customers.

I was not happy with my schedule at all. On one hand, relatively short shifts, all cashiering...but I don't get another day off until next Saturday! My last day off was Thursday. I know, a lot of people are out of work and I shouldn't complain, but it's a lot. How the heck am I going to organize my new rooms or get my laundry done or start looking for a job? 

Thankfully, by the time I got out of work at 4, the weather had greatly improved. The rain vanished in the late morning; the sun came out around 2-3PM. I still had a hard time finding an Uber at the start of rush hour. And I was supposed to be meeting the ladies at my apartment so we could see what we could take over! It took me 10 minutes to find a ride, and another 20 for them to arrive.

They came in as I tried to start packing more items. There are just some things I'm not going to be able to take with me. Books and DVDs and dolls, yes...kitchen things, no. One woman gave the rest of us a number for a moving company she knew...but for some reason, it kept connecting us to a Mediterranean restaurant. We must have called those people six or seven times. I felt sorry for them. They probably didn't know what was going on. She did finally get through to the guy and convinced him to help move my furniture. 

And I'm worried. I love my desk, but I'm not sure it'll fit. The opening to that attic is so narrow. I didn't think I had so much stuff. I've gotten rid of a lot of over the past two or three years, and actually just handed more over to the ladies to be donated. I was hoping I could get all my holiday stuff with me, but the Christmas stuff might have to go into storage. There's also some of the shelves may be too tall for the room. The apartment at Manor also had a low ceiling, but that had a very high center section. Not only is the front room big, but not that big, but the center section isn't quite as high.

And they say not to feel bad, but I can't help it. This is so unorganized! I thought I was an organized person, but I've been panicking for weeks now. I've been trying to get everything done, too busy and scared to even sit down and write a list. When I moved to Hilcrest in July 2020, I had two and a half months to do it, thanks to that busted left elbw. Dad recruited half the family to get my things to Oaklyn in 2006, and I had almost three months to get ready. 

The ladies headed out after an hour to find boxes and have dinner. Switched on Match Game '77 to cheer myself up while I figured out what to do next and had a quick egg dinner. Two gorgeous female contestants named Tom and Chris turned many heads in an episode, including Richard's and Dick Martin's. Brett's more interested in handsome soap star Tom Hallick on her left. 

They returned shortly after I'd changed and cleaned up from dinner. They boxed up kitchen supplies and brought in anything that I wanted to keep in the bedroom. Anything that went into storage would go into the living room/kitchen. There's still a lot of loose items in bags they had me put in boxes to be moved tomorrow. (I did convince them to let me keep the spring and summer decorations out. I don't have as many of them as I do fall and winter decorations anyway.) 

And...they sat me down and talked to me about trusting them and being hard on myself. I've had too many people in my past say they'll help me, then get fed up with me, decide they can't handle me, or just have other things to do and walk out. All of them said they read my blogs, liked my writing, and thought I was very smart and talented. That's so sweet of them. 

Finished the night packing what I could, and repacking a box of media history books that fell out when I moved them. One of the women brought sturdier boxes than what I dredged up from Dollar General, anyway. When I finally broke to (belatedly) chat with Lauren, I watched the Match Game PM episode I missed earlier. Brett was even happier to be between TV drama hunks Robert Walden and Bart Braverman. Bill Daily was a lot more nervous about having to answer "Opening __" on the Head-to-Head for $20,000.

Been trying to make my way through TV show episodes featuring one or more Match Game panelists. Richard Dawson turned up on a chilling 1964 episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour from its second season, "Anyone for Murder?" A psychiatrist (Barry Nelson) puts an ad in his local paper claiming he knows how to commit murder. What he really wants is to get his cheating wife (Patricia Breslin) and her young lover (Dawson) out of the way. He convinces a colleague to take her out...before the lover comes to him asking to get rid of the wife, too. Turns out this cold-as-ice twosome are more in love than they believed...and it's the lover who may end up taking the fall. 

Feels Good to Be Home

Began the morning with breakfast and the second half of Split Second. Two men joined a woman who won before, but was thought to have lost her second game unfairly. She won decisively this time, beating the pants off the guys in the main round and just getting through the Countdown Round. Barely missed the car, though, and opted to return.

The father and son-in-law finally beat the one guy on Blockbusters, but they couldn't get through half the bonus round. Their next opponent was a  younger woman. They'd finished the first round as the episode ended.

Heard from Craig towards the tail end of Blockbusters. Rose is still in the hospital with that sore esophagus and Finley was at the babysitter's, so he and Khai were going to help me clear out the last of my stuff. It had to go out today to catch trash day on Manor Avenue. I messed around online until they picked me up around 11:30.

There wasn't too much left to do. I gathered the cleaning supplies, curtain, and magnetic rod I'd be taking back to my place while Craig took the bed apart. Gave my Garfield comic books and bag of marbles to Khai to thank him for being a tremendous helper for me and his parents over the past few weeks. There was so much left that went to Goodwill or that he wanted to sell on Facebook, we needed two trips to take it all to their house on Kendall. Craig said he'd turn my Comcast modem into UPS along with one of theirs that they wanted to upgrade.

Along with getting rid of the bed and three bags of stuff I didn't want and couldn't donate, I also ditched the vacuum cleaner and trash can. The vacuum cleaner still works decently, but it's too big and noisy for the new house. It was a cheap Dirt Devil I bought to clean carpets, not bare wood floors and one rug. I'll buy a Swifter and a carpet sweeper for the new apartment instead. The trash can is not only also too big for the new apartment, but it's an old plastic model I've had since I first moved to Wildwood, and it smells nasty. I've been meaning to replace it with a smaller metal can for a long time anyway.

On the second run, while the guys rounded up the remaining bins, I took one last look around the apartment. Everything seemed to be in order. We'd gotten everything out, even the door that no one ever put on one of the wardrobes and the old boards I used to hold up the broken bed springs, and the place was as clean as I could make it. Craig gave me a bag for the keys and the manual to the digital thermostat in the living room, which I dropped in the mailbox next-door. (He also gave me more vegetables, including tomatoes, more potatoes, two peppers, and another eggplant.)

Ended up walking back to Manor after Craig dropped me off and I put the cleaning things away. I realized I never gave the McHughs my new address or cell phone number. Thankfully, I caught Charlie outside with his dogs as I arrived. Handed him the note with my phone number and address and told him about the big hole in the wall in the back room. He said he'd look at it later.

At least it was a decent day for a walk. While it's still at least in the lower 90's, it's not quite as hot or humid as it was earlier in the week. That really nice breeze is lingering, too. Even so, I didn't see a lot of people out and about as I strolled home. There were a few kids on bikes, a guy walking his two small fluffy dogs, and two people working in their gardens.

Worked on writing for a while after I got back in. Charles convinces Fannie to rejoin the fight. They need her and her particular brand of airy magic. She gives her lover a kiss, then tells Charles they'll make use of the element of surprise before they go back in the ballroom...

Broke for dinner at 6. Had leftovers while watching Match Game. Both 1977 episodes tonight were hilarious. The first one ended with a college student who had once been a cheerleader and now taught cheerleaders. The panelists and the audience encouraged her to stand up and show what she could do. In the second, Richard claimed that he and Lynda Day George had a bet going as to whether Gene wore blue or brown socks with his brown suit. Richard actually pulled up Gene's pant leg to get the real answer! (They were dark navy blue.)

Charlie called around the time of the second Match Game episode. First of all, he made the hole in the wall of the back room, not me. According to him, he took apart pieces of the wall to look at the wiring back there years ago. Second, he convinced his mother to let him inspect the apartment and passed it with flying colors, commending how well I did with the cleaning. His mother will send the check from the security deposit within the next month, and more likely within the next week.

And that ends my involvement with the Manor Avenue apartment and the McHughs. Everything that I need or want has been moved to Hillcrest. I think I got out at exactly the right time. Beyond the problems with the rent and landlady, Jodie needs me here. I've been looking for a new apartment for over a year. The one at Manor is a dusty, musty mess in a desperate need of an major remodel. Now I have a place with cheaper rent that closer to family and away from Charlie's potty mouth and weird friends, and he can tear out whatever he wants, whenever he wants.

Was watching the next episode of that "True Romance" theme on Sale of the Century when I heard a knock on the door. I nearly jumped a mile on the futon before I realized it was Jodie, offering margarita pizza in big squares. I gratefully took them. I hadn't had a big dinner.

When I returned the plate, I discovered there were four other women from the neighborhood visiting Jodie in the kitchen of the main house, likely helping to keep up her spirits. I got to show them all my new apartment. While the other women oohed and ahhed over my record collection, Jodie's neighbor Sandy admired my teddy bear collection and offered some curtains for the bedroom and living room she wasn't using.

Finished the night after a shower with more animated offerings on Disney Plus. I've come to enjoy the current version of Muppet Babies almost as much as the original. "Animal Cleans Up" when he's been doing a lot of smelly activities and now reeks so badly, the others won't play with him. They try to play car wash to get him to take a bath. Fozzie and Kermit run "Best Pals Pizza Parlor Palace," but they can't decide if it should be fancy or fun, or what types of pizza to make. They have to figure it out in a hurry in order to please Rizzo the Rat, who is a very picky eater.

TaleSpin was one of my favorite cartoons in the Disney Afternoon line-up in the late 80's and early 90's. I don't know who decided Baloo the Bear from The Jungle Book needed to be a slovenly pilot in the mid 1930's with a tough boss named Rebecca who owns his plane and is a single mom, but I hope they got a huge bonus. "Her Chance to Dream" takes overworked Rebecca into Ghost and Mrs. Muir territory. Baloo and Louie insist they've seen a ghost at Louie's club. Rebecca thinks Baloo's trying to get out of work again...until she meets a handsome sea captain there who treats her like a real lady. Baloo and Louie, however, know there's something not quite right about the captain...

Gravity Falls, a series for older kids and pre-teens from The Disney Channel, gets even weirder. Mabel finds herself in "The Deep End" when the hunk she meets at the pool turns out to be a trapped merman. While she figures out how to free him, her twin brother Dipper and his crush Wendy have fun working as lifeguards and getting around the overly strict pool manager.

Putting It Together

Started off the morning with a phone call from Rose. She, Craig, and Khai wanted to bring over the rest of my stuff this morning. Sure! I didn't have too many other plans for today besides continuing to organize the apartment. I'd barely finished eating breakfast when they arrived.

There's really not much left in the apartment I needed. It was mainly the remaining crates of records, one crate of books, the bins of holiday decorations, and the rug covering the linoleum rectangle between the living room and the bedroom. At least the apartment was much cooler than I assumed it would be after being locked with the air conditioner and fan turned off for three days. Anything remaining is either cleaning supplies or things I don't want.

Rose wants me to go through that stuff I don't want and clear out what can be trashed and what can go to Goodwill. I think all of it should go to Goodwill (except the giant wardrobes that are too big and the broken bed and loveseat), but they're being picky about what they take due to the pandemic. She wants to make use of the bins, too. Jodie's going through the garage and basement and has no room for any of my stuff besides the bike and its accessories in the garage.

She joined in to help the rest of us get the crates and bins in. Just as I'd suspected, the bins take up way too much room. Rose admonished me to move all of the decorations into smaller bins and crates and get rid of the larger ones.

Stacked the remaining record crates in the living room closet and next to the entertainment center. I'll reorganize them after a boring day at work next month. The decorations proved to be tougher. Manged to get everything but the Valentine's Day and Christmas items into the smaller crates and bins...and they still largely didn't fit in the hall closet. Since I had them out, I figured I might as well put up the general summer decorations, too. Better late than never!

Rose suggested buying long, narrow bins for some things. I wanted to get one for the Christmas tree, but those long rolling bins are expensive. Maybe I'll just pick up a long bin for the tree and the small bins for the seasonal decorations and cover the Christmas bins with tablecloths during other times of the year.

Had a quick smoothie lunch while Classic Concentration was on, then went into organizing mode.  Unloaded all of the dolls and stuffed animals but the American Girls and remaining Star Wars toys. The porcelain dolls and collectible Effanbee hard plastic dolls went on top of my dresser, the floppy rag dolls are on one of the long Ikea shelves next to my bed, and the bears and some smaller stuffed toys went on the table next to the door. The journals are on the other long Ikea shelf.

Ended up getting rid of the rug. Like the green rug from Dad and Jodie's basement, it was too stained and dirty to use. I also decided against keeping my big soft chair. It was pretty battered when I rescued it from a trash pile in Wildwood over 15 years ago, and time hasn't been kind to it. Not to mention, it's too big for this small apartment and took up a big chunk of the bedroom. Moved the American Girls' bench in its place.

Worked on writing for a while after I finished with the dolls. Mostly went back and edited some early passages. Charles encourages the others to get while the getting is good, but the door is blocked by trolls who are a lot less friendly than Orson. Help is coming, though, from the least-expected source...

Dragged the pile of trash to the curb around 6:30, then had leftovers for dinner while watching Patty Duke and Patti Deustch give some very creative answers on Match Game. The sweet female contestant on Sale of the Century just barely lost in the speed round to a smart lady who also won big on Password Plus a decade before.

Jodie came over briefly during Sale of the Century. Dad's coming home tomorrow and will be sleeping in the den. He's not going to last much longer, and he (understandably) wants to die with his loved ones there. She got to briefly check out the apartment and see everything I've done there so far. She also warned me that Rose wasn't happy about my getting rid of the chair. Her main concern was it being too heavy to lift with my bad arm. That's not a problem. That chair is light as a feather. I got it up the steps to my apartment in Wildwood alone, and they were even steeper than the steps going up to the Manor Avenue apartment.

Let Concentration run while I experimented with lemon custard no-bake cookies. I think I overdid the lemon juice or the milk. The cookies came out a lot wetter than my previous batches, though they tasted pretty good when I was making them.

Finished the night with Dirty Dancing at Hulu. I go more into this smash hit 1987 exploration of a teenage girl's coming-of-age at a Catskills resort in the early 60's at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Dirty Dancing

Movin' In

I just had leftover pizza for breakfast and put on my K-Tel record Starflight when my cell phone jingled. Rose was ready to come over with her crew to bring a box spring mattress for my bed until I can get another one and start bringing around the rest of my furniture. She said they would be over in 20 minutes, but I still had plenty of time to strip the stuffed animals and blankets off the mattress and pull out art supplies for the kids.

As soon as Rose and Craig put the box spring down, they headed out again. I made the bed, then killed two birds with one stone by unpacking the other bag of large stuffed animals. Finley loved them, especially the two Cabbage Patch Kids dolls and my two-foot Meowth. We chased each other around the apartment, making the big yellow cat Pokemon go "boo!" Khai went with his parents during the first round, but he'd gotten tired of it by the time they went back for the furniture and settled down in front of Split Second, drawing a Pikachu.

So...yes, all of the furniture I intend to keep is at my new apartment. I'm typing this at my desk, in a corner of my bedroom. Craig said they brought over everything but a few crates of records and the bins with the seasonal items. I'm crossing my fingers they'll be able to go back for those on Monday. All that remains are the furniture I don't want, the modem I'll be sending back to Comcast, and cleaning supplies.

They all finally left around 12:30 to get lunch and for Finley to take a nap. I had my lunch at 1:30, but otherwise spent the next three hours moving CDs from boxes and plastic cases to binders. They took up all five of the binders I bought this week, splitting the rock and pop CDs over two binders. I guess I cleared enough CDs out. I actually had a few binder pages leftover after I finished. I also had four empty boxes and a little bit more space in the living room.

Moved on to the kitchen around 4 as Classic Concentration began. Put all the cake pans and large appliances I didn't use as often into the cabinet I got from Jodie. Pots and pans I used more frequently went under the sink or in a cabinet next to the stove. Rearranged my dishes, cups, and glassware in an attempt to get those on the shelves along with the Tupperware.

Rose called a bit earlier. Did I want blueberries they didn't need, eggplant and fresh mint and basil from Craig's garden, potatoes, lemons, and a few rolls? Sure! I really don't have much in the way of food. I cleared most of it out before I moved. Rose came over with Finley again as I was working in the kitchen. Jodie joined us as well. Rose gave me the fruit and vegetables, and they both admired  the colorful cookbooks stacked up on top of the kitchen cabinets.

While I was able to shelve the DVD boxes after they left, I had less luck hooking up the DVD player. I couldn't remember how I hooked it up at the Manor Avenue apartment, and I couldn't figure out how to get it on with the cable box. I'll mess with it again tomorrow.

The mid-80's version of Card Sharks was on by the time I had dinner. Had the last of the tomato-cucumber salad with an egg salad sandwich and fried potatoes. A young Asian college student from New York kept on winning in the card rounds, doing very well with the high-low questions. She had less luck with the Money Cards, going bust twice before finally netting over 13,000 in one go.

After a shower, I moved my laptop and a few other things to my desk. Finished the night there with Oliver & Company on Disney Plus. I go further into this 1988 New York retelling of Oliver Twist at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Animation Celebration Saturday - Oliver & Company

Dog and Kid Show

Began the morning with breakfast and Supermarket Sweep. Really exciting one this morning. It was an early 2000's episode, meaning one Mini-Sweep in the beginning, a guess-the-price of the items game in the middle, and a wild sweep with everyone trying to remember the individual bread list David gave them. In a rare turn of events, the third couple won the Big Sweep by a long shot. They got stuck on the first riddle in the bonus round, though, and didn't get close to finding the 5,000.

The contestants did better in Split Second. This time, they were a lot more evenly matched. One of the women won the Coundown Round, but she missed the car in the bonus round and opted to return.

Headed out around 10:30 for my first errand run of the day. Wanted to pick up the few remaining things I could carry in my cart. I realized this morning when I did the dishes that I forgot the Tupperware under the kitchen sink. Brought the Tupperware, the remaining cereal bowl, the magnetic cork message holder for the front of the fridge, the bamboo cutting board, a shelf that slid out of one of the book shelves, and the other bag of journals.

(Incidentally, this now truly clears out the kitchen and the bathroom. I'll go back and check, but I don't think there's anything left in either. I got rid of an old plastic colander, the dish rack and dish rack holder, and the dish pan. They're all old, dirty, and rusty. Been meaning to replace them. Everything else is bins, furniture, coats, and one big box of books, though we still need to figure out what to do with the Goodwill items and the furniture I don't want.)

It was past 11 when I went down to West Clinton to order lunch. Phillies Phatties was so dark, I thought they weren't open, until I saw a guy in a mask making pizza. Ordered a large half-cheese, half-mushroom pie and a bottle of Pepsi and was on my way, dodging a couple of pre-teen boys on bikes looking for lunch.

Watched the second half of The Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour as I put everything away, cleared off the left side of the table, and made my bed. I'd no sooner gotten my pizza and soda from the delivery guy than I heard a knock. Craig was on the other side with Finley and two bags. One held my new bright-yellow futon cover that he zipped on immediately. The other was a tool bag. I'd asked him to remove the doors to the closet in my bedroom. They make it harder to get to my dresser, and they swing when you push them despite being sliding doors. The kids have already pushed them several times. I don't want anyone getting hurt.

Jessa showed up with her black shizu-tzu/terrier mix puppy Midnight while Craig worked on the door. Finley kept chasing him all around my tiny apartment! She was playing with my stuffed Star Wars toys, and then Midnight decided they were his squeaky toys and tried to bite them. Thankfully, Rey and the Hallmark Itty Bitty Han Solo weren't chewed. (I washed them in the sink later.)

Midnight settled down after Finley and Craig left for their lunch. Jessa and I spent a pleasant two hours watching Match Game, Classic Concentration, and the original mid-60's Password and eating pizza. We chatted about my move, her new job, the changes wrought by the virus, Dad being in the hospital, and Lauren's decision to not visit this year.

I asked Jessa to drop me off at Manor Avenue on her way home. There was one last thing I could bring to the new apartment myself. Jodie said I could keep my bike in their garage, and I wanted to get it out of everyone's way. Despite it not having being ridden in two months, I had no trouble wheeling it down the street and over to Hillcrest.

As soon as I left the bike in the garage, I grabbed my cart and went right back out. Wanted to run to Dollar General and see if they had any of the things I couldn't find at Family Dollar yesterday. They didn't...but it turned out to be just as well. Rose called while I was in the store. We could pick up anything else I needed, including a second rug, from Burlington Coat Factory tomorrow afternoon. Just picked up a Bai coconut drink and my favorite pecan roll and was on my way.

Went online for a much-needed rest and writing work when I got in. Charles figures out that he'll never beat Ira by fighting his way...so he goes to Clifton and the others and ask them to play silly music. He does a comic dance around Ira's attempt to skewer him, distracting the laughing guards enough for them to free Lee and Gene.

Broke for dinner at quarter of 7. Settled for a berry-banana smoothie while watching the end of Match Game. Annoyed with Gene about being fussed over his shoes, Charles put his feet up on his desk towards the end of the episode. Sale of the Century crowned a new champ today. A young woman who had befriended a friend's children was the clear winner, buying an Instant Bargain, walloping everyone in the speed round, and having no trouble at all with the bonus round.

Finished the night with Concentration and my first batch of cookies made in the new apartment. Kept things simple with Peanut Butter-No Bake Cookies. They were tasty but a bit crumbly. I don't think they held their shape as well as my previous Coconut-Lime-Honey Cookies.

Trouble Under the Sun

Kicked off my first full morning in the new apartment with breakfast and Split Second. Three new contestants battled it out today, but no one came close to the lady who was a substitute teacher. She got the most money, breezed through the countdown round, and chose the right billboards for the car on her first try.

Made a list of everything I needed at Family Dollar today and did the dishes while watching Blockbusters. This one began and ended with the ongoing solo lady champ winning the Gold Rush round, the first time barely. In between, she handily beat a son and father-in-law.

Headed out around quarter after 11. I had a lot to do today, starting with laundry. Picked the right day to do it. They were dead when I came in, and stayed dead the entire time I was around. I chose the largest laundry machine to give me more time at Family Dollar.

Family Dollar was a little busier, maybe because it was past noon by the time I got there. Unfortunately, their kitchen and bathroom sections were really picked over. I would have replaced the shower curtain anyway, and the metal rings are rusted. My dish pan and rack have just about had it, too. Found a decent shower curtain and inexpensive rings...but no dish pans or racks. Also grabbed sponges (needed to replace those too) and more binders for the CDs.

Despite the quiet inside, I still sat on the curb when I got back. It was a gorgeous day. The wind remained, and while it was still a little humid, it was neither as hot nor as humid as it has been the past week. Worked on story notes and basked in the sunlight.

Went to WaWa after I pulled the laundry out to buy lunch. Surprisingly, despite it being almost 1 by then, they weren't busy either. I picked up a sparkling water and a six-inch turkey hoagie for dinner and a pretzel for a snack and was on my way.

The trouble started when I got home. I just could not open the door, no matter how hard I tried. The knob wouldn't turn, and Jodie was at the hospital with Dad. Luckily, Jodie's son Jesse drove up at that moment. He told Jodie he'd continue to do yard work for them. He, Dana, and their dog Nala are very happy in their far larger house in Woodbury Heights about a half-hour from here. Jesse has a massive yard to landscape, and Nala has somewhere to run and play.

He and a neighbor tried to figure out how to get me into the house. Trouble is, none of them had a key to the main house, and the windows were either crank models, or too high off the ground. After 20 minutes of frantically searching, I finally left everything by the door and went back out again with my cart.

The other big thing I wanted to do today was haul more small things over to my place from Manor Avenue. By far the most important were the two small recycling canisters. One will double as a trash can until I can get a metal one. I've had the big trash can since I lived in Wildwood. It's made of plastic and smells terrible in the summer. Other things I brought over included my large brown and orange umbrella, one of the bags of journals (I'll get the other tomorrow), Khai and Finley's artwork, and the few things remaining in the refrigerator.

Jesse did indeed tell Jodie to open my door. It was open when I got in. Put away the food, then had some fresh pineapple while watching Tattletales. Started putting up the new shower curtain rod while the show was still on. I had trouble doing that, too. The big rod just would not stay where I wanted it to or remain level, no matter how hard I tried. Press Your Luck was on by the time I finally got it to stick and was able to put up the rings and curtain.

Finished putting everything away, then had the hoagie and sparkling water for an early dinner as Match Game began. The first 1974 episode had Jackie Joseph sporting a pretty pink dress and a flowered headband in honor of her recent trip to Hawaii, while Gene tried to look tough for fellow host Bert Convy, dizzy Louisa Moritz, and ever-laughing Kaye Stevens in the second. Things got really wild in the 1977 shows, with Brett's chair somehow vanishing and Charles putting in an appearance in his Santa Claus costume (which he hadn't been allowed to wear that past Christmas).

By the time Sale of the Century was on, I'd settled down on my new, very comfortable futon to work on that crocheted pillow case. It was a tight race today, with everyone getting something and no one being ahead of anyone else. In the end, the champ just barely pulled ahead in the bonus round to win. (I don't know if he won the speed round. Verizon cut out briefly on me at that point.)

Called Rose after I gave up on the TV. She still has work tomorrow, though she did mention she might bring the kids over later to say 'hi.' I'll go over to the house and get one more load on my own before Jessa comes. I have to order pizza anyway. She also said to call her or Craig the next time I get locked out. They have keys to Dad and Jodie's house.

Jumped in the shower after that. Ooh, I love my new shower. The tub is longer and narrower, but also deeper, in a pleasant shade of pale yellow. The spray is one of those hand-held ones, and it felt absolutely amazing on my tired back and stiff neck.

Chatted with Lauren tonight. Yeah, as I suspected, we're not getting together this year. Travel is still too restricted, and there isn't much for us to do. We'll try again next May. I'm far less disappointed than I was when she originally pushed back the date in March. We now know more about the ramifications of everything with the virus. Not to mention, I'm still getting the apartment organized and am recovering from a broken elbow. This is a bad time for vacations all around. I might have pushed my trip to later in September to give me more time to do things here even if things were normal.

Finished the night on a more pleasant note with Royal Wedding. I go further into this English jaunt with Jane Powell and Fred Astaire at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Royal Wedding (1951)

Rushed Move

Got a quick start today with breakfast and To Tell the Truth. This is the first time I've gotten to see this show in full. It started off with Gary Moore so enamored by two pinball machines, he couldn't be bothered to greet his panelists! (Kitty Carlisle still snuck a kiss in, though.) The creator of the pinball machines was easy to spot; as Peggy Cass said, he was "the greatest philosopher since Aristotle" when it came to his beloved machines. (He said he works for Bally Manufacturing, which still exists as Bally Technologies.) The panel also had no problems spotting the man who spoke with passion about the beautiful artwork he'd done for postage stamps.

Things went equally well for the panelists on What's My Line? Meredith MacRae got the first one, a man who designed a simulator to teach people to sail. Arlene Francis figured out that the female contestant created a kit that made wine. (I know a lot of people around here who would want that one.) They mystery guest was Burl Ives; appropriately, fellow singer Mel Torme guessed him right.

Rose arrived promptly at 9 with Craig and Khai in tow. They hefted the antique dresser I use for odds and ends like my tools, the dresser, the dry sink, and a couple of boxes and a crate. The dresser wound up being a tight fit in the kitchen and may not stay there. My bedroom closet is so big, the dresser easily fit in it. (The dry sink went back to Jodie. I like it, but it won't fit in here, and I really don't need it anymore.)

I also got a scolding from Rose about having brought so much stuff with me and not letting go of more. There's a lot of dust and spider egg sacs under the shelves, too. I have a hard time explaining to her that, first of all, I live alone. It's not easy for me to pick up and dust under a lot of my furniture. Second, I did get rid of stuff! There's a huge pile sitting in the back room.

Ended up clearing out the older flower-print dishes. I've had them since college, and while the cups and bowls are in decent shape, all of the plates are chipped and cracked. I'm fine with the Fiestaware. In fact, I wouldn't mind getting more, or something similar. Loaded the cookbooks on top of the cabinets, too.

Headed back to the Manor Avenue apartment just as the first set of Match Game episodes were winding down. I let the first episode of Classic Concentration run as I had yogurt, peanut butter, and fruit for lunch. Both contestants did amazingly well today. The lady missed the car but got a vacation to Singapore she really wanted. The man got the car with seconds to spare.

Spent the next hour packing up the rest of my bathroom and kitchen. Threw everything left in the bathroom, including my toothbrush, into a small box. Used the box for the old dishes to pack the Fiestaware and a smaller blue box for glasses and the remaining mug. Loaded everything else into a milk crate and one of the wooden crates I snared from the North Cape May Acme years ago. After I finished, I sprawled on the bed, resting my feet and intending to pack up a few things, then do some writing.

I only got to packing. Rose called around 2. I'd mentioned sleeping at the new apartment tonight. Could I pack all the things I'd need to sleep there? She, Craig, and Khai were on their way over. Yikes! I didn't expect them until 4 at the earliest. I rushed around, frantically packing as much as I could. The TV and Roku fit into one bag, the bed linens and stuffed animals in another. Grabbed the laundry bag, basket, and detergent to get that done tomorrow. After they came the first time, I threw the remaining food into a bag and a Styrofoam cooler. Stuffed my shoes, pajamas, journal, crocheting project, and various odds and ends into my backpack. Grabbed the lamps and remote controls, too.

Everything was in my apartment by 3:30. The guys set my oak shelf and the mattress from my bed, along with the things I packed, in my bedroom and the coffee table in the living room. (I'm not keeping the bed. The frame is broken.) Rose stayed to get the cable working with my old TV. I don't really like cable. There was only one channel I had any interest in, and it took me ten minutes to find it. (No one person really needs 500 channels.)

Let Card Sharks and Match Game run in the background as I put everything away. My new refrigerator is huge! Items that took up the whole refrigerator back at home now barely took any room at all. All the fruit and vegetables fit in the crisper, and the freezer barely had anything. The medicine cabinet isn't close to being full, either. Made the bed and pulled out at least one bag of stuffed animals to keep me company tonight. Put appliances away as Jackie Joseph asked Gene to sign her tongue depressor and Richard Dawson started a riot when the judge didn't match his answer of "friend" and "girlfriend."

By the time the 1977 episodes of Match Game were on, I was starved. I tried to order Phillies Phatties for dinner online again, but I couldn't remember my password, and then, for some reason, they kept insisting my e-mail address wasn't a "real" address, even though it's the same e-mail address I've used for almost 20 years. Ended up having Star Wars chicken soup and cucumber-tomato salad for dinner.

Briefly went outside and chatted with Jodie and some of the mothers in the neighborhood after dinner. Jodie sadly mentioned Dad had a setback and won't be home tomorrow. The moms and one dad watched a little boy chase his baby brother around the front lawn.

Watched Sale of the Century while I ate. The contestants all did really well tonight. The woman bought a fancy diamond and ruby ring for her engagement; the champ picked up a refrigerator he said he really needed and tried his luck at the Instant Cash, In the end, not only did the champ win by one question in the speed round, but got through the bonus round with one second left, too.

Finished the night with various TV shows online. The first and fifth seasons of Hart to Hart are now on The Roku Channel. "Does She or Doesn't She?" is the question asked by the wealthy clients of popular hair stylist Barry. Jennifer loves how he does her hair, but she's more than a little worried when a woman suddenly rushes in and shoots up his salon. She and Johnathan jump into action to investigate a loan shark who is using Barry's salons to blackmail his rich customers.

Did two episodes of Cheers on Hulu. "Tan n' Wash" is Norm's newest business venture, a combination laundromat and tanning salon. The others all jump in with their money, then regret it when a heat wave hurts their business. Meanwhile, Diane is dating a man to make Sam jealous, but he's trying not to show it. "The Boys In the Bar" from the first season has Sam receive a major shock when he learns that a close friend and teammate from his baseball days has come out of the closet.

Sunshine Movers

Slept in a little bit today. Started things off with breakfast and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. With all the changes in my life right now, I can certainly relate to "Daniel's Very Different Day." Dan's upset when he has to wear a trolley t-shirt instead of his red sweater and can't get the pink cupcakes he wanted for a picnic with Katerina. His father reminds him that things may change, but it's not so bad to do things a little differently sometimes. His whole class learns this during a "Class Trip to the Library" that gets curtailed when O the Owl's uncle X explains that they're repairing shelves and can't have the kids there. Teacher Harriett encourages the kids to create a classroom library and be their own librarians.

Switched to The Roku Channel for The Adventures of Paddington Bear. Paddington, his friend Mr. Gruber, and Judy and Johnathan Brown take a tour of a real manor in "Paddington and the Stately House," but Paddington's curiosity and discovery of secret passages constantly disrupts the guide. "The Opal of My Eye" takes Paddington and Mr. Gruber to Coober Pedy, Australia, the opal mining capitol of the world. Mr. Gruber's miner friend thinks his claim might be tapped out, but Paddington uses his nose - and his love of marmalade - to uncover a real treasure. He takes "Too Much Off the Top" when he helps a barber by giving an American tourist too much of a haircut. Good thing the fellow is interested in one of Mr. Gruber's antiques.

Switched to Split Second as I cleaned up from breakfast and made my grocery list. The lady in the glasses was clearly ahead the whole time, and she had no problem coming out on top in the Countdown Round. She decided to come back and try for the car again instead of taking a fur coat.

Headed out shortly after Split Second ended to hit the Acme. Took Uber again to avoid the heat. Ironically, while still hot, it's not quite as hot or as humid as it has been, and that wind is refreshing. No wonder the Acme was dead. I had no problems picking up the few things I needed. I loved that ahi tuna steak I had for dinner last week so much, I grabbed another one. Not only is there no toilet paper at the new apartment, but the roll at the Manor Avenue apartment likely won't last the month. I bought two small rolls for ten cents each that were leftover from the toilet paper panic in March and April. Restocked peanut butter, honey, milk, yogurt, and bananas. The Acme had a buy two, get one deal on most of their stationary. I was able to buy three sturdy binders for the CDs.

When I got home, I had a Berry-Banana Smoothie for lunch while watching Match Game episodes from 1976. The first one finished out the run for Gary Burghoff, Susan Howard, and Fannie Flagg with several military jokes revolving around an attractive Air Force recruiting officer. The officer continued her game in the next episode as cranky Joey Bishop, Arlene Francis of What's My Line?, and sweet Joyce Bulifant joined in.

Took my first load over to the apartment after the shows ended. I've taken most of the kitchen stuff over by now, so both loads today focused on things that'll go in closets. Brought the yoga mat, the bike pump, the bag with the legs for the wooden shoe rack, the very long vinyl bag with the Christmas wrapping supplies, and a bag with odds and ends from my bedroom. Threw everything into the bedroom closet or the hall closet as quickly as I could, then strolled back home, waving to my new next-door neighbors on my way. Brought back the two crates that didn't fit in Rose's car yesterday.

Did writing for the next few hours after I got in. Charles defends Richard with his sword, but Ira thinks he's a joke. He's a terrible swordsman and has no idea what he's doing...but the distraction gives the fairies a chance to snitch Gene's wand from the sheriff's pocket and return it to him. Ira calls the fairies "rainbow mosquitoes," which doesn't amuse fiery Debralee one bit!

After Rose called and told me she was helping Jodie with her TV today, I opted to take a second load over on my own. This time, I stuffed the bag with my out of season shoes into the carriage. The bin with the American Girl dolls' clothes and accessories and the bags with my Christmas wreath and Easter baskets went on top. Got there, threw the decorations into the hall closet and the bin into my bedroom closet, and was on my way. Both trips took less than an hour.

Returned to Match Game and made ahi tuna and zucchini with southwestern sauce for dinner when I got home. Joyce also finished out her run with Nipsey Russell and Rosemary Forsythe as Gene took a tumble that lead some folks to wonder if he'd been imbibing with the panel. (No. He apparently took some kind of medication and couldn't drink.) Gene had more luck in the next episode with Fannie, goofy Dick Martin, and squeaky-voiced Sarah Kennedy, giving the audience one more chance to get their call-back response to one of the questions right.

Cleaned the stove after I ate. I haven't scrubbed the inside in ages. This is the perfect opportunity. Even if I wasn't moving, it's so hot, it'll likely be weeks before I bake again. I even made my own cleaner with vinegar, baking soda, and dishwashing liquid. Seemed to do the job well enough.

Finished up as Sale of the Century came on. The young man from yesterday came up against two good players and bought the Instant Cash mini-game (and only got 100), but won in a very decisive speed round. I don't know if he won the bonus round. Pluto TV started glitching out at that point. I finally gave up and took a shower instead.

Ended the night after my shower with Luxury Liner. I go further into this fluffy sea-going musical from 1948 with Jane Powell at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Luxury Liner (1948)

Between Two Worlds

Started off the day with breakfast and the tail end of What's My Line? I came in just as they were going to guess the Mystery Guest. They didn't come close to recognizing the voice of pianist and big-band leader Peter Duchin. Sale of the Century went back to the 1985 episodes. A woman bought a bargain and still came through in the end. She opted to come back when she heard the next prize was a Beverly Hills shopping spree.

Headed out around 9:30. I wanted to focus on organizing the kitchen and closets while they're getting that rug, so I brought over the yarn bag and a couple of boxes with supplies. I also brought my old CD/cassette player. The CD part skips, but it works well enough, and unlike the newer three-piece CD player, it has a handle. I listened to the first couple songs on the Grease 2 soundtrack as I shelved everything and dropped the yarn bag in the hall closet. Thankfully, the junk someone dumped in the hall closet as far back as Dana and Jesse living there had mostly been cleared out, except for one piece of heavy blue fabric.

Was surprised to run into Craig as I was heading back to my current apartment for a second round. He apparently agreed to trim the edges on the lawn for Jodie while she visited Dad. He admitted that yes, he pulled the junk out of the closet. (He thought the cloth might have been mine and left it. I'll deal with it later.) Was nice enough to drive me home, cart and all.

I returned 20 minutes later with the small box of my oldest and most recent journals (the bags with the other journals are too big and heavy for the cart), the Solo: A Star Wars Story poster, the pillow for one of the dining area chairs (Khai sat on it while he worked on his stop/go sign), and the box with the spices and cocoa and bottle of olive oil I packed yesterday. I also dug the box of Sailor Moon dolls and a real Little League baseball out of the stuff I intended to donate. I thought Finley and Khai would appreciate them more.

It took me longer to haul this load than the previous one. The box of journals and the kitchen supplies box were heavy, the wind tried to blow the poster away, and I kept dropping the box with the dolls. Craig wasn't around when I finally arrived. I left the box with the dolls on the patio and took everything else inside. Finished off Grease 2 as I loaded the kitchen things into the cabinets, dropped the pillow on the chair, and left the box of journals in the closet in my room. Since the tall cabinet was now in the corner, I loaded the rest of the pans from that giant box on the shelves.

Found Craig working on the edges as I made my way down the flagstone walkway to the apartment. Was able to hand him the box before heading off on my way. Whew, it was a hot one! Hot, heavy, and humid. Even that wind didn't really help. I don't know how Charles and Willa were able to work on weeding and mulching the side garden alongside the walkway to my place without dying.

Had lunch when I got in. Watched the tail end of Match Game as I ate. In this episode from 1976, Fannie Flagg once again ogled a handsome contestant, while Gary Burhgoff took a tumble to parody then-President Ford's notorious clumsiness.

Switched to Molly of Denali as I packed up the empty crate I brought home with the food processor, the basket that's usually on the table, and a few other things. Tooey and Molly dare each other to check out an old house, but they end up having to go to the bathroom instead. Molly's dad is working on the plumbing and says to use the outhouse or the bathroom in the bunkhouse, but there's a strange noise coming from the washing machine in the bunkhouse! Molly and Tooey investigate...and discover that a "Bird In the Hand" is nothing to be afraid of. Molly and her gal buddy Trini are both big bird enthusiasts and are thrilled when a student studying puffins takes them with her to observe them. They're less happy when they have to say "Bye Bye, Birdie" and see the baby puffins jump off a cliff.

Spent the rest of the afternoon online. I was able to renew my disability after a few problems with my passwords, but I couldn't get a hold of Dr. Ramerez's office. When I did get them, I got an answer machine. I left a message. If I don't hear from them by tomorrow or Thursday afternoon, I'll try again. It took me forever, but I did manage to figure out how to cancel Comcast online. They said they'd call in the next two days to confirm.

Worked on writing after I finished with Comcast. To Charles' horror, Ira is able to wear Richard down and get him on the ground. He's about to yank the Brit's hood off when another champion steps forward. To everyone's surprise, including his own, Charles takes Richard's sword and jumps in front of him. Trouble is, he's no fencer and has no idea what he's doing....

Broke for scrambled eggs with farm market-fresh vegetables and cheese for dinner while watching the earlier Match Game episodes from 1974. The first one had Richard taking notice when a young contestant talked eagerly about her single status. Fannie Flagg showed off a weird t-shirt with a woman's face on it in the second.

Rose called around quarter of 5. She and Craig wanted to bring over some furniture. They were already going to visit Jodie to help her set up her new entertainment center for the TV in the den. She called again 20 minutes later and said they were going out to McDonald's and couldn't bring furniture, but we could take some boxes over. I finished my scrambled eggs and hastily threw things from the antique dresser and the dry sink onto the music area coffee table, then dug the box with Wicked Lady out of one of the Goodwill bins in the back room.

They finally picked me up around 6. We were only there for an hour, long enough for Rose and Craig to help Jodie move her furniture into place. I put on the Frozen soundtrack for Finley as I unpacked more kitchen supplies. She was more interested in running around and trying to figure out what the giant yellow foam half-circle hat-thing someone left in my bedroom was. (Turned out it had been left in the hall closet. Something else I'll toss later.)

I was dead tired when we got home. Flopped on the loveseat when I got in and barely moved for the next hour. We had a new champ on Sale of the Century, a young man who just barely got a win in the bonus round, thanks to a Fame Game money card and not having bought anything earlier. He just barely missed the bonus round money in the last second. The female contestant in the 70's version of Concentration really cleaned up, winning at least four prizes each round and guessing the puzzle with only half the board cleared in one case. She had no luck with winning the car in either bonus round, though.

Finished the night with the Jerry Lewis comedy Cinderfella at Hulu. Fella (Lewis) is the sole servant for his haughty stepmother (Judith Anderson) and her spoiled sons Maximilian (Henry Silva) and Rupert (Robert Hutton). She's banking on Maximilian to romance the lovely Princes Charmat (Anna Marie Alberghetti) and make a wealthy match, as they're in dire financial straits. Their other option is to try to find out from the sleeping Fella where his father hid his fortune. Fella is content with his life until his fairy godfather (Ed Wynn) arrives and says he could become not just "people," but a "person." When Fella falls for the princess the moment he sees her, his fairy godfather provides him with the fancy outfit that allows him to go to his stepmother's ball. It's Charmat, however, who reminds Fella that it doesn't matter if one is "people" or a "person," or where they come from or how they dress. What matters is how they treat others and feel about each other.

Cute idea, kind of a less chemical-driven and slapstick-y variation on The Nutty Professor. Lewis has some nice moments, especially when dancing with the princess at the ball, and Wynn is a lot of fun as his slightly exasperated magical caretaker. Too much time is spent on chatty plot points and talking between his family members, though, and Alberghetti is in the movie so little, you really can't understand why she and Fella fall for each other so quickly. Ok if you're a big fan of Lewis or want to see a somewhat unique variation on Cinderella.

Beyond the Blue Horizon

Began the morning with banana pancakes for breakfast and the Johnny Mathis album The Wonderful World of Make Believe. The theme here is songs about fantasy; favorites include the title songs of the musicals Camelot and Shangri-La, the title song from the Disney animated version of Alice In Wonderland, "Sky Full of Rainbows," and "Beyond the Blue Horizon" from the early talkie musical movie Monte Carlo.

It took me longer to clean up than I thought, then took me even longer to decide what I could realistically bring to my apartment on my cart. I didn't want a repeat of the fiasco from earlier in the week with the broken vase. Settled on the two American Girl doll boxes, the vinyl bag of doll clothes, two small boxes of bathroom supplies, and the witch's hat that didn't fit in the bag with my Halloween costumes. Headed out around quarter after 9...and whew! It was already sunny and hazy, with a sky so blue it hurt to look at it and humidity off the charts.

Saw Jodie in her car as I was pushing my cart. She said she was on her way to visit Dad in the hospital. He just had another surgery, but he seems to have gotten through it all right.

Thankfully, I got everything to my place intact this time. I set the boxes, bag, and witch's hat in the bedroom, then went to see what I could unpack. The bathroom is the biggest and most pleasant change. It's huge, with a big closet and a cute white wooden cabinet and a medicine cabinet that's twice the size of my current one. Almost everything went in the cabinet; put the first aid supplies on the bottom shelf and the extra toiletries on the top shelf.

Rose and Craig set up the CD/video rack in front of the door between the bathroom and the living room. I liked it there so much, I decided it would stay there. Rose wanted to clear boxes out of the growing pile in the living room, so I unpacked the DVD boxes. The DVDs and DVD boxes went on the rack; the binders were stacked on the top shelf in the living room closet.

I was just deciding what to do next when Rose called. Seems she corralled Craig to help take some furniture over. Could I come back to my other apartment and keep an eye on the kids? Sure, why not? I'd probably be back later anyway, and I don't get to spend nearly enough time with my nieces and nephews.

Rose said they'd be over in 20 minutes...but even on foot, pushing the cart, and carrying an empty crate, I still beat them by at least five minutes. She and Craig took over my table and chairs and the tall shelf that used to hold my cookbooks (which they had to take apart to get in the car), along with crates of records and cookbooks.

The kids and I spent that half-hour drawing in front of the TV. I'm glad I didn't pack my colored pencils and forgot I left a stack of paper on the printer. Finley scribbled in red, sorted through my button tin, and watched Match Game on Buzzr. Khai drew a nifty Stop/Go/Yield sign in green, red, and yellow and two drawings of animals. I did a scene in Veteran's Park next-door, with a tree, grass, a bench and table, and the gazebo.

Their parents picked up the kids around noon, Rose promising we'd go back later. I made a Chocolate-Coffee-Banana Smoothie for lunch and continued with Buzzr. Buzzr on Pluto TV had a special marathon of Richard Dawson Family Feud episodes from the late 70's and early 80's this afternoon.

I finally got to see more of Richard's hosting style. Yes, he kissed all the ladies...but he may have been justified in the first six episodes. From noon to 2, Buzzr ran a series of episodes that pitted former Miss Universe winners against former Miss USAs. Who could blame him for wanting to smooch all those beauty queens? The Miss USA ladies put to rest the notion of the "dumb blonde" stereotype by being the big winners, winning the regular game four times and the Fast Money bonus round twice.

Made more of those Coconut No-Bake Cookies as Family Feud continued. I decided to experiment a bit, adding lime juice and honey to the mix with less sugar. Oh, yum! Refreshing, sweet, tropical, sticky, and very chewy...and unlike my previous no-bake cookies, they stayed together while cooling in the fridge. I think this might have been my best batch yet.

Worked on writing for a while after the Family Feud Beauty Pageant Winners episodes ended. Lee, Richard, and the fairies swing into the crowds just in time to rescue Gene. Richard's now wearing his Robin Hood outfit again and taunts Ira into a duel. He's the better fencer...but he's still a bit worn from Malade stealing energy, and it looks like Ira may get the upper hand...

I'd just finished around quarter after 4 when Rose called again. She and the kids were going back to Jodie and Dad's house to see Jodie. Did I want to come and check out that rug? Sure. I had no other plans for the night, and I wanted to ask about Dad.

Jodie met us at the door to hers and Dad's side of the house as we came in. First of all, Dad came through just fine. She and Rose are going to set up a bed in the living room so he can recover. Second...darn it, the rug was no good. It was old and stained from years of being in the basement. And Rose said she didn't want to organize anything else in the living room or bedroom until we got rugs to put furniture on. Jodie made the kids chicken nuggets and broccoli in the kitchen while I paged through my Betty Crocker Cooky Book on my new, super-comfy futon.

Listened to the soundtrack to Pete's Dragon while eating leftovers for dinner when I got home. The movie is cute but kind of cheesy, but there is some nice music here. The ballad "Candle On the Water" was nominated for an Oscar. I also like "Brazzle Dazzle Day" for Pete, Lampy the Lighthouse Keeper, and his daughter Nora, and the lovely duet "It's Not Easy" for Pete and Nora as she tries to understand how he feels about his dragon Elliot.

Finished the night online with an episode of Doc McStuffins on Disney Plus. Doc and her stuffed staff is saying "Crikey! It's Wildlife Will!" when they find an explorer toy missing his legs. When they fail to find appropriate legs for him, Doc has to get more creative on finding a way for him to get around. "Rootin' Tootin' Cowgirl Sal" is a cow cowgirl whose arm lassoing function has broken. Doc first tries to find the right spring for her arm, then insists that she knows other rodeo tricks along with lassoing.

Hot Harvest

Began the day with breakfast and several cartoons. Daniel Tiger and his family goes on a "Tiger Family Trip" to visit Grandpere in Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. They're delighted with everything they can do and see, from play on a dinosaur-themed playground to watch butterflies flit around a garden...but Daniel is happiest when they arrive and he can be with his beloved Grandpere.

Switched to The Cat In the Hat Knows a Lot About That while doing the dishes. The kids want to build sandcastles in their sandbox, but there isn't enough room for both of them. The Cat takes them to the desert to meet Carmela the Camel, who teaches them how to have "A Plan for Sand." "Whale Music" has Humphrey the Humpbacked Whale teaching Nick and Sally how he uses his "Whale Music" to communicate with other whales...and what to do about the final note in a song for their mothers they've been having trouble with.

Did a few things online, then headed out to run errands. Ugh. Though it was a bit cloudy for most of the day, it was also hot and murderously humid. Good thing I needed to go to WaWa first for money anyway. I also bought a tart Watermelon Slushie.

Despite it being quarter after 11 when I got there, the Farm Market was the busiest I've seen it yet. They were also the biggest I've seen it. There were so many vendors today, they had to move some of them into the parking lot behind the office building/former school to maintain social distancing. Saw potatoes and tomatoes for the first time this season. Most farmers are complaining that it's been so hot, their wares won't ripen. I was able to pick up strawberries, cherries, peaches, a tomato, and a cucumber.

Took the long way home via Newton Lake Park. I guess I wasn't the only one who had stuff to do outside today. Dodged a lot of people out for a walk with friends or their dogs, or riding bikes with friends or siblings. At least the park looks better. It was looking really dry and crunchy for a while, but two major rain days in the past week or so has really perked up the flora and made the trees look more green.

Went straight home this time. I wanted to get out of the heat, and I didn't like the look of the heavy clouds. (Never did rain, though.) Put everything away, then watched Match Game episodes from earlier in the week while eating a quick lunch of yogurt, fruit, and blue corn chips.

I had thought of taking a few things to the new apartment after lunch, but that farm market walk wore me out. I opted for a nap instead. Slept from 2 until past 4 and felt at least somewhat better afterwards.

Didn't have much time to recover from my nap. Less than five minutes after I woke up, the phone rang. It was Rose. I intended to call her tonight anyway. She told me she and her kids would be coming over to pick up more boxes from my apartment, and that she wanted me to start unpacking boxes. They'd already brought over the futon from their house. Between the boxes and the futon, the living room was getting pretty full.

I'd no sooner finished dressing and starting to pull out boxes than Rose arrived with Khai and Finley in tow. She and Khai brought two more loads of boxes and crates to my apartment while I kept an eye on Finley. Fin got to show me her Cabbage Patch Baby Mia and her mini kid's iPad with cute paper doll and puzzle games.

After the second load, we all went over. I shelved almost everything that went in the kitchen but the pans, dishes, and food I'm still using and the two boxes that were in the bathroom while Jodie watched the kids and Rose brought over furniture. I'm not going to be able to do anything about the books or other media until all my shelves are there. They did bring the CD rack the Wildwood Acme gave me when they shut down to be remodeled in 2005, the dolls' clothing rack, and the two narrow Ikea table-shelves. It looks like the record crates will probably be stacked in the giant living room closet; the books will mostly go in my room, except the ones revolving around media.

Rose suggested putting window clings on the big front window in my bedroom instead of curtains, so I won't have to buy them. Great, except...I like the view out my windows. Maybe I can only put them up at night when I need privacy. I'd still like to put up some kind of a curtain on the bedroom and kitchen/living room windows, even just valances. For some reason, there's two doors that lead to the bathroom. Rose dropped my Acme rack in front of the bathroom to living room door, pointing out that I only need one, and it gives me more room.

It was almost 8 PM by the time I got home. I ate a very quick leftovers dinner, then went online to watch Fun and Fancy Free on Disney Plus. I go further into this Disney anthology featuring "Bongo" and "Mickey and the Beanstalk" at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Animation Celebration Saturday - Fun and Fancy Free

Finished the night checking out Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney Plus. We're not the only ones experiencing a heat wave right now. Mickey and the others are complaining about the clubhouse being killer hot, too. They're invited to "Pete's Beach Blanket Luau" on Star Lake to cool off. They first have to clean up trash and recycling on the beach, then find the coolest place to park their gear, then figure out how to make waves, so Donald can go surfing.

Shattered Heat

I slept so late today, by the time I was having breakfast, the first round of Match Game was running on Buzzr. In these episodes from 1976, the young woman contestant wore a whistle around her neck to call for help, but Gene kept grabbing at it and blowing on it. The first show also demonstrated just how fed up Richard was getting by this point after he and producer and judge Ira Skutch got into an argument over the differences between a life vest and a life preserver.

Headed out around quarter after 1 to run errands. Wanted to take some smaller boxes and bags to the new place on my own. Grabbed the boxes in my bedroom with the Star Wars action figures and the desk supplies, the Muppet bag with the Star Wars 12-inch figures and stuffed dolls, the clear vinyl bag with the accordion folders, the key-shaped wooden key holder I used to hold my headbands, and the metallic red vase Keefe gave me for Christmas almost 15 years ago.

I didn't have too many problems getting everything to Hillcrest. The vinyl bag kept slipping and I had to hold onto the vase, but I stayed on the road to reduce bumping. I was even careful when I pushed the cart over the segment of the road they still haven't finished yet.

I'd just pulled it onto the sidewalk and was starting down to the apartment when the vase slid off the top of the Muppet bag and crashed onto the ground! I couldn't believe it. First of all, I thought that vase was made of metal, not breakable stone, or I would have wrapped it. Second, I loved that vase. I was so upset! And I don't think I could get the pieces together again, either. Couldn't even clean all of them off the sidewalk. I didn't have a broom on me.

(Jodie called later and said a neighbor saw me crying on the sidewalk. I told her to warn the lady about the mess still left there.)

After all that (and a lot of shoving on the front door), I did manage to get everything else into the apartment. The living room floor was lined with the boxes and suitcase Craig and Khai left on Monday. I moved the box with the mugs to the kitchen before anything else got broken, and set the broken shards of the vase there too. Left all of my boxes and bags in the front bedroom.

Next stop was Dollar General. I wanted more bins. They had plenty, in all shapes and sizes. I bought three of the smaller gray ones. Also wanted sugar and another spray bottle of cleaning vinegar, but they were out of them.. Ended up with Pine-Sol instead; I'll get sugar at Family Dollar tomorrow. (And they're still low on toilet paper and paper towels, unlike the Acme, which is almost restocked.) Grabbed a Powerade for the long walk home and a pecan roll for a treat.

It got crazy hot again today, up to 95 according to the digital sign at Oaklyn's City Hall. While it was sunny, it remained hazy, humid, and still, with little breeze. Surprisingly, there were quite a few people out and about, mainly people walking dogs or kids on bikes or out strolling with their buddies. I held on tight to the bins this time as I headed home.

As soon as I got in, I wiped the bins down with the vinegar. Had a quick fruit, peanut butter, and yogurt lunch while watching Super Password. Nathan Cook and Elaine Joyce continued their run with one helping their contestant with the Super Password bonus round...but no one had much luck with that CaShword mini-game!

By the time Tattletales was on, I'd finished eating and was making the bed. Rona Barrett and her husband started out well with the questions, but the big winners today were long-time married couple (and then-stars of the medical drama Emergency!) Julie London and Bobby Troupe. At one point, Charlie Brill got so mad over something Mitzi McCall said, he came around to the front and yelled right at her monitor!

Charlie arrived as I was washing the dishes and watching Press Your Luck. (I can see the TV from the kitchen.) This time, he lead a big, broad-shouldered man through, probably one of his friends from downstairs. He gave him the same spiel he gave the two young women about how he's going to tear out walls, widen the kitchen and bathroom, add more closets, and put in insulation. The gentleman seemed interested, though not with the enthusiasm of the ladies.

(Charlie called me later in the evening. He wants to bring around one more person to look at the apartment on Friday at noon. That's fine by me. I didn't really have a lot of plans for Friday, especially since it looks like we're finally going to get some rain. He also said he'd talk to his mother and explain about fixing any holes or damage after I left.)

Worked on writing after they left. Re-wrote the previous scene to have Betty and her frog friend leave after they bring Charles and Brett to the ballroom. Betty's hoping to get more help from elsewhere in the castle. Meanwhile, Richard is holding is own in his duel with Ira, who has finally realized that "Prince Peter of Newkirk," "Robin Hood," and "Sir Richard Dawson" are the same person. He reminds Richard that he's the law; Richard angrily counters with his having taken his lands and home and trying to force him to work for him.

Richard, however, still has the wound from their duel in the Summer-Winter Castle that slows him down. Ira finally manages to get him on the ground. He's about to run him through when someone cries out in horror...

Broke for a quick hummus and cucumber-tomato salad dinner at 6:30. One of today's contestants on an episode of Match Game from 1977 bore a striking resemblance to a somewhat older Cindy Williams. She said she'd lost 71 pounds with a weight-loss group and now did speaking for them. She didn't do quite as well at the game, though. Brett didn't do so hot either, writing down an answer when she'd already been matched. Charles scolded her for that!

Moved onto packing up my remaining DVD boxes, the DVD player, the porcelain Lifesavers candy holder (which went into a sock without a match), the wooden E Linda Young sent me a while ago, and most of the crossword, coloring, and crocheting books after dinner. There was a tight race on Sale of the Century tonight. One woman bought both Instant Bargains and got close, but the only guy beat her in the speed round. He just barely missed the bonus round, though.

Finished the night online after a shower with Snow White at the Kanopy library site. This 1955 German version is about as traditional as they come. The queen attacks Snow White three times, not once, and Snow White awakens because one of the dwarfs drops her glass coffin, not because the prince kisses her. Interesting how they dealt with the queen in the end, too. The copy that Kanopy currently has isn't dubbed, but it does have captioning, and I was able to get the gist of what was going on.

The Muppet Babies did a version of Snow White in their original show, too. "Snow White and the Seven Muppets" from the second season has the kids wanting to put on their own version of the fairy tale after seeing a play with Nanny. Piggy is livid that Skeeter ends up playing Snow White and she gets the Wicked Queen role and does everything she can to sabotage her performance.

One Stormy Afternoon

Awoke to a ringing phone. Rose said Craig and Khai were able to come over in an hour and take boxes to the new apartment. Could I load all of those small boxes in my living room on the porch before they arrived?

As it turned out, they took almost two hours. I was able to read a chapter of The Four Story Mistake, write in my online journal, have breakfast, and put on Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. Crafting is the theme of "Daniel Makes a Noise Maker." He and Katerina are playing superheroes, but Margaret takes back the rattle they were using to alert people that they're going to rescue them. Mrs. Tiger encourages the kids to put together their own noise makers. "Daniel Makes the Neighborhood" with Miss Elania and Prince Wednesday when they want to add their own houses to a set Lady Elaine made that represents their world.

There was more than enough time to move three big stacks of boxes to the porch. Most of them were too heavy to haul with my bad arm, so. I loaded the boxes on the top of my cart and wheeled them to the porch. Cleared out all the boxes in the music area, the suitcase with my oversized coffee table books, the artwork my grandfather did that was on my wall, and one crate of paperbacks. The only boxes left in the living room are the big ones with records and pots and pans. There's also the two bins and crates with records, cookbooks, and canned food.

By the time they were on their second trip, dark clouds gathered ominously on the horizon. The thunder moved in as I finally got to having breakfast and watching Match Game. Today's episodes brought in Scoey Mitchll and Bonnie Franklin as the contestant struck out in the Audience Match in the first one, and the second had Gene laying down on the job.

It started raining and thundering hard as I finished eating. Good, we needed it. I wasn't going to go anywhere else today, anyway. The kitchen badly needed to be scrubbed. Besides my moving, I've been here a LOT more often than usual in the past month. In addition to the usual Soft Scrub on the counters, I used lemon juice on the chrome sides and faucet to make them extra shiny.

After I ate, I ran the vacuum as well as I could with all the boxes and bags and crates still laying around, then made the bed and finally got around to doing the dusting. I meant to do it last month and never got to it. I wanted to wait until I did more packing and more things were out of the house to make it easier to dust under everything.

Listened to records and the rain as I worked. The first was another rock collection produced for radio station, this time WOR FM Solid Gold in New York. Among the great music on the first disc were "Smile a Little Smile for Me" by The Flying Machine, "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" by James Brown, the original version of "Hooked On a Feeling" by B.J Thomas, "Happy Together" by The Turtles, "Dedicated to the One I Love" by The Shirrells, and "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Barry.

The ongoing rainy weather called for One Stormy Night. I've had this dreamy melange of moody instrumental jazz pieces and rain and train sounds for so long, I couldn't tell you where or when I got it anymore. It makes for a great mellow listen on a rainy summer afternoon.

Switched back to Buzzr as I continued dusting. Nathan Cook and Elaine Joyce were the celebrities on Super Password today. Nathan got that difficult CasShword for his contestant on the first clue, but Elaine and her partner had a less easy time in the Super Password bonus round. Comedian couple Mitzi McCall and Charlie Brill and soft-spoken singer Julie London and her songwriter husband Bobby Troupe split the win on Tattletales today. Both pairs made a comeback after missing questions in the first half.

Charlie arrived during the first half of Press Your Luck, squiring a dark-haired young woman in masks. About 20 minutes later, as it was ending, he brought around another young woman, this one thinner and bubbly with pale blonde hair. I hid in the kitchen while they were there, since I wasn't wearing a mask. Charlie kept touting all the things he intended to do once I moved out - tear out the rest of the walls and add insulation, tear up the carpets, widen the kitchen, add vinyl tiles to the kitchen, widen the closets. Frankly, I wondered why he was showing the women around if he intended to basically gut the place, but they both seemed to really like it.

Worked on writing for a few hours after they left. Betty leads Charles and the frog back into a chaotic ballroom that's filled with nobles and trolls fighting and slipping on cream pies. Betty joins the fray as crowds-phobic Charles hides in an alcove. He has a great view of the mess...including Richard's big duel with Ira...

Broke to make scrambled eggs with farm-fresh cheddar, baby bok choy, and mushrooms for dinner. Country star Mel Tills continued on Match Game, and even got to sing a bit of his big hit, "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town." Meanwhile, Gene's door slammed in his face, and he and Richard Dawson shared a hug later after the Audience Match.

The woman champion from Friday on Sale of the Century had her work cut out for her keeping up with a cherubic younger man, especially in the beginning. In the end, she got two cash cards on the Fame Game that pushed her ahead in the speed round. This time, she was able to win the bonus round with seconds to spare.

Finished the night after the shower with a couple of nostalgic TV shows. Charlie's Angels jump into the world of Playboy-style men's clubs and magazines in "Lady Killer" when two waitresses at the club who were about to become centerfolds are found murdered and with their hair cut off. Jill dons the furry ears and tail as one of the "Feline" waitresses, Kelly poses as a singer, and Sabrina romances the Hugh Hefner-esque owner of the Feline Magazine empire to find out who's after his clubs and who wants these women dead.

The original Ducktales and its remake can be found at Disney Plus. I went with the original tonight, which I haven't watched in ages. Uncle Scrooge hopes to turn a crumbling castle into "Hotel Strangeduck," the most glamorous resort in Europe. He gets a lot more atmosphere than he bargained for when the first guest list includes a countess who seems very interested in looking for secret passages...and a ghost who is more than a little interested in the castle's original owner, an eccentric scientist.

Little Boys and Libraries

Rose called me around 10AM and said she was ready for me to come over. It was still cloudy at that point, and very warm and humid. I grabbed my purse and a rain coat, just in case, and strolled over to their new house on Kendall. There was no car in the driveway, and I thought at first that they weren't there yet. I called Rose, who told me that Craig was inside with Khai, working on fitting their new blinds to the downstairs windows.

Khai is three years old, and, as his mother points out, a bit of handful. He was especially problematic earlier in the day, when everyone was hauling stuff in and out of the house and not paying much attention to him, and when his mother had to go run some errands and pick up hoagies from WaWa for lunch. First of all, he wasn't happy that I wouldn't let him climb around in his father and uncle's vans. Even after both cars were gone (Craig's brother helped out early on, but had to go to work), he ran down the block and tried to climb into the wide red strollers pushed by the day care ladies taking their charges out to the park! When he started roaming around in other people's front yards, I finally got fed up. I lifted him up and under my arm and hauled him back to his house and his father.

Thankfully, his mother got home shortly after, and Dad and Jodie arrived around the same time. We had those hoagies for lunch (mine was roast beef and provolone) and tortilla chips. Khai was a bit easier to handle with more people around. We went outside and blew bubbles. Khai pulled out his ride-on truck, and we went down the block together, looking at leaves and "helicopters" (seeds that can be tossed in the air to look like flying machines). We drew on their brand-new sidewalk with chalk.

By that point, the sun had come out, and it had gotten very humid, hot, and bright. Khai was as red as the Phillies outfit he wore, despite his mother coating him with sunblock while he was on his car. We went inside for a little while and played Hungry Hungry Herd (a Farmville version of Hungry Hungry Hippos), and Khai showed me his huge collection of Hot Wheels and Disney Cars.

When 3PM rolled around, I was worn out, and Khai was getting cranky. I decided it was time to head out. I had other things I wanted to get done today, anyway. I left Rose and Craig trying to put their son down for a nap while they waited for their new refrigerator to be delivered. Made a quick stop at Doria's Deli on the way back to say "hi" to Mrs. Doria and buy a much-needed bottle of Diet Pepsi. I was only at home long enough to change into shoes and socks and grab most of the books that needed to go back to the library before heading out again.

I made my way to the Haddon Township Library via Newton River Park. It was nearly 4 by then. Despite the heat, there were lots of people out and about. In addition to the usual joggers and dog walkers, I saw lots of families on bikes and running around the playground and high schoolers and college students sunning on the grass.

The library was quite busy when I arrived. It was well after school let out, and there were lots of kids studying and using the computers. The kids were distracted long enough for me to organize the children's DVD section as well as I could. There was already a volunteer putting the adult titles away, so I shelved non-fiction titles and kids' books instead. Took out two more books on money and saving it, 573 Ways to Save Money and Personal Finance For Dummies.

My original dinner plan for tonight was leftovers...but I was dead tired when I finally got out of the library. I decided I deserved a treat. I had a nice little dinner at a very busy Friendly's. Their Chicken Ginger Stir Fry was delicious, steaming hot chicken in a mildly spicy teryiaki sauce, with peppers, spring peas, carrots, and snap peas on a bed of white rice.

Stopped briefly at Rite Aid on the way home. Unfortunately  they were out of that inexpensive half-gallon of skim milk. I just ended up stopping at WaWa instead.

The apartment was hot as heck when I got home. I've been trying to put off turning on the air conditioner. I really don't like running that thing. It uses so much electricity and makes a lot of noise. I couldn't really put it off anymore. It was past 80 degrees in the living room!

As soon as the air conditioner was on and the trash was out, I went in a much cooler bath than I've been taking these past few months. It felt so very, very nice after a long, hot day. I leaned back, read 573 Ways to Save Money, and soaked. Some of the ideas in the book didn't apply to me (anything related to cars or kids, for instance), and some I already do (carry cloth bags, eat more beans, make holiday gifts, put sugar in cheaper sugar-less or low-sugar cereals). Others are genuinely useful (plan your weekly menus, only buy from the sides of the grocery store and not the middle aisles) or interesting (peanut butter does sound good on shredded wheat).