Packing My Bags

It's hard to leave, but it's time to go. Sis and I both have to move on to other things after a four-night sister break. Tomorrow, after working in the morning on an article deadline, my pretty pink Hadley Pollet tote and I will take the train to Grand Central Station and walk over to the Port Authority for an afternoon bus back to Montclair.

Big & little things we did today:

• We laced our sneakers and walked to Mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. I've been there before, distracted by jumping-bean Punch or by the seriousness of Don's memorial Mass, but had not noticed the sailboats in the stained-glass windows until today. And on a tapestry, the Blessed Mother is holding a sailboat.
• We walked back near the Vineyard Vines business headquarters, by the marina.
• Drove to Diane and Joe's for comfort brunch--pink Champagne in flowered flutes, excellent coffee with cream, homemade waffles with butter, pure maple syrup, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, crisp bacon on the side. We stayed and talked for over three hours! Joe showed us their garden, with strawberries, oregano, basil, chard, arugula, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and much more.
• Came home and rested a little. And I applied for another job online.
• Drove to Greenwich Avenue to meet Sis's friend Marlene at The Ginger Man for dinner. It was delicious. I had a modest portion of shrimp scampi and later, an excellent decaf latte.
• Looked in the Lilly Pulitzer windows a few doors away. Pretty, pretty--floor-length dresses, glamorous sandals with pearl-crusted heels [unfortunately, I know Lilly only goes up to size 10], necklaces, skort, pink top, beautiful little girl's dress. The store was closed but I still liked peeking in.
• Now we are in the living room half-watching an old episode of "Columbo" while we are both on our laptops, Sis at the table and me on the couch.

TCOY

1. Our walk.
2. Prayer, song, contemplation at Mass.
3. Those berries at Diane's!
4. Short nap.
5. Lots of ice water.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Chipped in cash I had for Ginger Man tip but Sis generously treated. $4.

TOTAL DAILY SPEND: $4.

RUNNING TOTAL FOR MONTH AS OF JULY 21 [AND STARTING JULY 5]: $1,014.67.

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND SO FAR: $59.68.

This monthly spend is pretty low so far, thanks to Punchy being Mimi-based for 2 full weeks--and me being at Sis's for four nights.
Big-ticket firecracker items in July: *Marcel bkfast w Punch and loaf of bread, $29; *Tory Burch sandals, $111; Starbucks Camp day, $94 [I subtracted the Bear Mountain pickles and peaches]; Punch bday gifts for friend + tiramisu w Elaine, $37; Joyist to write, + Punch drop-in, $30; one day of Joyist Reset Meal Plan, $35; Elixir of Love body creme, $30; Kings, groceries to make Bobbi Brown website chocolate-chip cookie dough, plus candle holder and votive, $32; and Nest Fragrances candles/lip balm website order, $82; took Sis to Thai restaurant for lunch, $36; and The Paper Store, cross-body bag, notebook, etc., $66.