Tuesday in Stamford

My friend, Lisa, aka la Princessa, gave me such a great gift today. She drives for work from Montclair to her office in Stamford, Connecticut and told me any time I need a ride to Sis's, I can grab one! So we went there and back today and talked so much, catching up--about our childhoods, our parents, our fashion loves. Style softens life. We agree on that.

And I had from 10:20 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Sis and Buttercup on this beautiful May day.

I did little things for and with Sis: 

1. Check her bandage, apply new tape. 
2. Eat breakfast at round kitchen table--hardboiled eggs, dark bread, the delicious coffee she makes in a French press. Her real name is MaryAnne. From now on, it's MaryAnne Blend coffee.
3. Chat.
4. Take sheets off guest room bed. 
5. Do a couple loads wash and hang delicates--including one of the two special post-surgery white camisoles from Underneath It All to dry on wood rack. [There is a shop in NYC.]
6. Load some dishes. 
7. Change the flowers--the beautiful bouquets from our brother Will; her stepdaughter Julie; me and my family; and her stepson, Charles--all withered. Refresh all vases with pink roses and clean white baby's breath. 
8. Sit at the round kitchen table and eat lunch.
9. Chat.
10. Sample a couple of chocolates from the big golden Godiva box her college friend Jill sent. 
11. Go grocery shopping. 
12. Look at photos of her trip to Florida to swim with dolphins before her surgery.
13. Cuddle her doggy. 
14. Walk by the pretty marina. See two beautiful white swans and a family of ducks.
15. And take a nap on the couch, safe and sound in the presence of my big sister while "I Dream of Jeannie" is on TV.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Uber from downtown Stamford to Sis's, plus $2 tip, $10.17. [The traffic was really bad and Lisa would be even more delayed for work, so I Ubered the last short leg of the journey at 10:10 a.m.]
• ShopRite in Stamford. I went to get groceries for Sis [using her credit card] and also bought things for her in a separate order with my cash: pink petunia plant for terrace; dozen pretty long-stem pink roses; Mrs. Meyer's limited edition peony hand soap; pint coffee ice cream; plus dog food for Sugar and a cute 3-in-1 Despicable Me shampoo/conditioner/body wash for Punch and small gift and gift bag from me and Sis to Lisa, $39.90.

TOTAL DAILY SPEND: $50.07
RUNNING TOTAL FOR MONTH AS OF MAY 21: $1,707.10.
MAY AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $81.29.