Pampering Eye Spa on Wheels

One nice thing about an emptier #66 bus is getting two seats to myself. But traffic is crawling on this holiday "gridlock alert" day.
I had ample time to send a few work emails and smooth on my Goop Perfecting Eye Cream. [But I can’t do concealer, eye shadow, mascara and brows on the bus. For those, I stand side by side in the bus terminal bathroom with a changing row of women every day--some perfecting black wing eyeliner, some sponging on foundation. Homeless women pass us on the way to the bathroom stalls, their carts loaded high with worn belongings. Our makeup and their matted hair--the juxtaposition of privilege and poverty every day.]
I pulled the little white jar from the lustrous golden Lilly Pulitzer makeup bag in my denim tote. Unscrewed the lid, dabbed on a dollop around and under each eye. Welcome, friend--come soften my day!
I’ve been using it a few weeks now and I think my eyes look brighter, more awake, bluer.
The potion has no scent, no pinky-peachy tint. Gwyneth’s Goop line is famously pure. I love that I tripped over it on 54th Street in my work neighbourhood at a place called CLEAN MARKET.
Now--if only I were not too exhausted AT NIGHT to remove my eye makeup, cleanse and double dip in the cream.
That can be a goal for Christmas break.
Enjoy your day. Happy Christmastime.

Now nighttime, with Democratic Presidential debate on TV.

TCOY

1. Ice water.
2. Clementine.
3. Baby spinach.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Round trip bus fare, $15.30.
• Croissant 🥐 with butter, $2.49.
• Cafeteria lunch, $6.23.
• 3 large, cute decorated Christmas cookies for $9, one each for Punchy’s school bus driver and bus aide, to give with $10 bill. One cookie to prop up on windowsill for holiday cheer.
• Dinner on my way to bus terminal--at Marinara Pizza on First Avenue. Excellent NY pizza with perfect dough and great mama sauce. With tax, about $9!!! Pricey compared to my NJ town, but loved that pepperoni-topped triangle and thick, crusty Grandma slice. It was so cold and the pizza was so warm and comforting.

Total daily spend: $42.02.
Ongoing monthly spend as of Dec. 19: $2,388.43.
Avg daily spend:: $125.71.
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Look what Dan just texted me from Whole Foods, where he went with Punch:
"We met a homeless lady at Whole Foods who has nowhere in Montclair to stay. We are taking her to a church in Newark. We will be home in an hour. I can't pick up those groceries. You will have to do later."
Proud of them. It’s bitter cold out. I see homeless women while I do my makeup or get my croissant, but do not help. They see someone at the grocery store and help.