Drifting to Sleep Soon

Train Ride to Peace

I cannot share the details here but not a good day overall--not a good stretch of days.

It picked up--my peace level--when I picked up my CPAP machine, laptop, makeup and bag and hopped the 3:45 bus to NYC and then walked to Grand Central Station for the 6:10 Metro North to New Canaan, first stop Stamford. Dan encouraged me to take a break.

Tomorrow, we are going out on a fishing boat--Sis rented a captain and boat for 1 to 4 p.m. She is having some pretty serious surgery next week [I will be with her before, through and after] and fishing is something she will miss while recuperating. I was going to bring Punch today, but instead, she will play her soccer game in the morning and Dan will drive her over and they both will fish with us.

TCOY

1. Warm bath with salts.
2. That delicious breakfast [see $ list, below].
3. Dr. appt. [I overslept on Wednesday morning and missed it.]
4. Got Rxs at CVS.
5. Walking around Grand Central Station. My city. Craned neck to look at zodiac signs on exquisite blue and white ceiling.
6. At my sister's. She cooked a healthy dinner of chicken and kale...her dog is snuggled up next to me....adorable little cuddle bunny...we can sleep late.
7. We will walk Butter soon by the marina.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Parking meter, 15 minutes, 25 cents.
• Cafe Giotto, most fabulous mini pandoro pastry filled with light marsala cream....called mini but far from mini....it was so good. I've resisted it for months now, since January. I got it and a latte before reporting to the elementary school library to help put book pockets in, stamp pages with the library name, enter donated books into the catalog system. Lots of Magic Tree House and Baby-Sitter's Club copies and one Judy Blume that I want to read. Also bought jar of Giotto's own cocoa hazelnut spread to bring to Sis, with tip, $18.24.
• Piece of pizza with basil for lunch, $4.
• CVS, after pharmacy co-pays, half-gallon Horizon organic milk, large Fairlife chocolate milk, pint heavy cream, bag dog treats, dog food, cashews, raisins, large Special K, Quaker Oatmeal Squares cereal, 2 Amy's bean & cheese burritos, 2 smallish Endangered Species dark chocolate bars, 2 bags medium-roast ground coffee, Caltrate 600+ Vitamin D [$16.79, but I had $3 coupon off vitamins], Bliss cleanser, comfy tunic top to wear in hospital with Sis overnight [yes, I know it's weird to buy clothes at CVS]. $99.97.
• DeCamp bus, bought return ticket for Sunday in case I don't drive back with Dan and Punch tomorrow evening, $7.65.
• Ann Taylor LOFT store on Broadway, 2 pairs earrings at 40 percent off, one pair is for Sis, plus $3 donation at register for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, $34.02.
• Metro-North, one-way train ticket to Stamford, CT during peak rush hour, $15.25. High price.
• Zaro's on Dining Concourse in Grand Central, hot dog with mustard and sauerkraut, plus tip jar $5. Wow. that was a lot.
• Hudson News, two paperback books, $27.21.

TOTAL DAILY SPEND: $211.59.
MONTHLY SPEND AS OF MAY 3: $384.37.
AVERAGE DAILY SPEND THIS MONTH: $175.78.

Big-ticket spends as of May 3: Little Bear Poke for family + P. pal, $36; Let's Yo, P pals, $28; Moss & More, teacher gift+, $28; CVS, $100; Ann Taylor LOFT earrings for Sis + me + donation, $34; and Grand Central Station 2 paperback books, $27. Subtotal $253.

MONEY THOUGHTS: Not looking like much belt-tightening going on 3 days into May. When I tell you I've had a rough patch of days, though, I mean it. My dr. made some medicine changes that should help, I hope. Also, Caltrate 600+ D supplement costs a lot.

keeping my eye on

SO FAR, TOTAL MAY SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $384.37.

TOTAL APRIL SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $3,634.28.

TOTAL MARCH SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $4,128.41.

TOTAL FEBRUARY SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $3,159.25.

Rocky Road

Rocky, rocky road.....with the younger one....will skip some details here, but Dan and I balancing work deadlines between supervising homework and flash cards, confiscating chewing gum before school, bringing P. to weekly 8 a.m. chess class, [thank goodness Dan did that one], after-school activities etc. You can see the tiredness in our eyes. We look and feel defeated and flattened sometimes. There isn't enough coffee--or, for that matter, chocolate--in the world.

TCOY

1. Got to 7 a.m. support group.
2. Walked into town with laptop.
3. Talked to Sis.
4. Met my friend Rach for iced coffee on her lovely porch!
5. Nap while Dan did homework stint.
6. Clipped fragrant lilacs, placed in my mother's crystal globe vase.
7. Ate broccoli. Big step for me.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Jackie's Grillette, lunch, with tip, $15.
• Moss & More, long stalk pussy willows for our home and nice flowering plant and ivy in cute planter to give CCD teacher. This was last class of the year. Mrs. F. is a saint to volunteer her time for those weekly Thursday afternoon fifth grade classes. I think she has four children of her own. I am thankful. $27.72.
• Joyist, used my reward for a delicious blend. Bought coconut energy bites and mock Twix bars, no refined sugar, $10.
• Whole Foods, Punchy snack after school, on way to CCD, $4. [I got the mock Twix bars for her but she didn't like them. Go figure.]
• Gasoline, $20.

TOTAL DAILY SPEND: $76.72.
MONTHLY SPEND AS OF MAY 2: $172.78.

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND THIS MONTH: $86.14.

Big-ticket May spends: Little Bear Poke, $36; Let's Yo, $28; Moss & More, teacher gift+, $28. Subtotal $92.

MONEY THOUGHTS: I'm trying to be money-conscious. I was happy we could eat the fresh ravioli, sauce and frozen broccoli I bought days ago at Whole Foods so didn't have to spend money on dinner. Yesterday, we were running around between therapy appt and Family Fitness Night @school--ran out of time to cook. 

keeping my eye on

SO FAR, TOTAL MAY SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $172.78.

TOTAL APRIL SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $3,634.28.

TOTAL MARCH SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $4,128.41.

TOTAL FEBRUARY SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $3,159.25.

Good Night

Will do April budget review soon.

Good night.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Two parking meters, $2.
• Java Love, free cup of coffee to celebrate their 8th anniversary. Love Child drink and chocolate-chip cookie for P. plus tip, $9.13.
• Little Bear Poke, dinner for me [Big Wave Dave Bowl], P. and friend plus bubble tea for friend, crispy rice w avocado to bring Fig and tip, with 20 percent off reward points discount, $36.47.
• Family Fitness Night fundraiser at school, to raise money for climbing wall. It was fun, parents vs. kids. Donation,for our family, $20.
• Let's Yo.....our friend broke his ankle at the fitness night...bummer....his wife took him for X-ray etc...took their two kids and Punch original pal out for frozen yogurt...fill your own cup, add your own toppings, from gummy worms to fruit...bill for 5, $47.96. Pal's friend's mom kindly insisted that I take $20, so down to $27.96.

MAY 1 TOTAL DAILY SPEND: $95.56.

Big-ticket spends: Little Bear Poke, $36; Let's Yo, $28. Subtotal $64.

MONEY THOUGHT: Those fro yo places may offer slimmer desserts but require customers to have fat wallets or active credit cards.

April Goes out with a Bang

I was so happy to have Punch back at school after 11 days that I walked over to Cafe Giotto and treated myself to a delicious lunch after volunteering a couple hours at the school library. So good, that tender, freshly baked focaccia--with neat rows of holes poked and filled with juicy cherry tomatoes, drizzled with fine olive oil--and an appetizer plate of arugula, creamy burrata and beautiful tomato slices. 

I did enjoy being back in the library again, stamping books with the Hillside name and address, pressing the due date marker into the black ink pad, gluing in paper pockets. One earnest boy took out a book about volcanos and another, a paperback about mummies. AND I checked out [it had to be under Punchy's name] The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. I love it. I'm halfway through and then will pass on to her.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Lillie Belle Farms, a wonderful chocolatier in Oregon, for 2 small bags Hippie Crunch [it's vegan, and Fig is cramming for exams, but one bag is for family to share] and one Dark Star 80 percent bean-to-bar very dark bar, plus almost $17 shipping, $36.92. Simply put, I cannot get out to the farm, so this time, I paid to ship the treats. SPLURGE for sure.
• Cafe Giotto, fabulous fresh lunch plus bag of small almond biscotti, plus tip, $34.
• Cafe Giotto, that tomato focaccia was so good, I got the last piece to bring home to Dan. With tip, $4.50.
• CVS, organic milk, Fairlife chocolate milk and small Dawn dish sop, $10.04.
• CVS, bath salts and two bottles body wash, $15.22.
• Starbucks, our internet was down and had to come here to send an article back to editor. Internet is back up now. Reusable water cup with straw and PB Perfect Bar, $6.88.

TOTAL DAILY SPEND: $107.56.

MONTHLY SPEND AS OF APRIL 30: $3,634.28.
AVERAGE DAILY SPEND THIS MONTH: $121.14.
I will break down the categories tomorrow.

Big-ticket April spends [numbers rounded off]. 
Aren't you sick of hearing about that $79 lamp and $55 hand cream by now? But it really helped me to see my list of luxuries every night, to keep my eye on the ball and not feel deprived.

Lamp, $79; luxe hand cream, $55; Giotto dinner to go + jar of imported Italian artichokes, $46; dog groomer/beauty salon, $75; vet for hamster, $157; necklace extension/repair/new clasp, $128; blowout, $55; Over the Moon, bday gifts for Punch friend + book for me, $60; Kings groceries, $132; liquor store, $32; bra/underwear/tights, $126; Joyist, $39 one day while working on assignments there; second blowout w service tips, $52; Punchy, Lululemon, $28; Justice, bday gifts and gift bag/pink tissue for Punch friend + shorts for Punch + $2 donation at register, $58; Kings groceries, $63; Joyist, $25 one day while working on deadlines; bike delivery, $35; Whole Foods, $69; CVS & Kings, Easter gifts/basket treats [counting lemon curd for tarts], $97; zoo day and lunch, spring break, $42; A.C. apps + drinks, treat Mimi & Poppy, $85; A.C. pretty lilac drape-neck top, $49; A.C. breakfast, treat Mimi + Poppy, $55; A.C. Skechers flip-flops, $35; A.C. sushi dinner, split bill, $52; Sis bday cards + gift, $35; Joyist, counting body oil, $71; Williams-Sonoma, gifts plus, $55; Kings, Sis bday lunch of caviar/blini/lox/small layer cake etc., $113; Whole Foods, a lot of groceries, including scallops and lox, $201; Lillie Belle Farms chocolate order, $37; Cafe Giotto, lunch and bag of small biscotti, $34. Steep subtotal of $2,275.

MONEY THOUGHTS: Like I said, I was like a bird who broke free from a cage....and gobbled up some luxury bird seed.

keeping my eye on

TOTAL APRIL SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $3,634.28.

MY TOTAL MARCH SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $4,128.41.

TOTAL FEBRUARY SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $3,159.25.

Eye on Atlantic City

Vintage image from truejersey.com.

In the 1970s, Sis went to Atlantic City on an overnight trip--she was a member of the Junior Women's Club and the girls attended the Women's Club convention at the resort destination.

She is my big sister, seven years older. This exciting venture must have loomed large in our sometimes dull Dumont lives. Sis brought back a toenail clipper for Dad, with a white enamel inset that read ATLANTIC CITY. Dad had it til his death; we don't know what became of it.

I first went during college or over the summer. My long-time boyfriend, Jeff, lived with his family a few exits from A.C. His brother worked at the Golden Nugget Casino.

I remember us being with Jeff's brother in his car, the casinos lit up on our left on the Atlantic City Expressway, cutting a swath through swaying sea grass. The towers looked glittery and glamorous, bright night lights.

Also: Back in the early 1980s, casino buses ran from North Jersey. I caught one in the next town, Bergenfield, and was dropped off about 2 1/2 hours later. Each of us then went inside to the cashier, past the slot machines and tables, and received a roll of quarters, theoretically to feed the slots. I can't remember if that meant I broke even on my ticket price or made a profit. But I took the roll and met Jeff for a ride the rest of the way to his house.

Flash forward to the late 1980s, when Dan and I were dating. He was often booked with a popular party planning company named Le Clique, which provided a busload of colorful entertainment--including Dan, the 60-Second Novelist--at New Year's Eve parties for high rollers. One year, he took the party bus down early to work the event and I drove the Garden State Parkway from my apartment in Ocean Grove in time for midnight.....at which point I saw the Le Clique troupe dancing in a conga line. Dan was the one in the gorilla suit. 🦍

Now...my overnight stay with Punch this week at her Mimi's condo unit...formerly a hotel.

Notes:

• Saltwater taffy still a big attraction--those pretty, beachy colors and flavors like orange, mint and vanilla. But now you can also get it dipped in dark chocolate and wrapped in colored foil instead of traditional waxed paper. I didn't try; wanted just one, not a pack. The counterperson at Steel's Fudge explained that the other location had some by the piece but the boardwalk location didn't. It's really hard to make, she said. It must be, dunking sticky taffy in melted chocolate. 
• Red Atlantic City lifeguard hoodies. Mimi got one of the sweatshirts for Punch at a boardwalk shop for about $15. She has been living in it.
• Cornhole. 🌽 I'm not sure I ever played this before. But it was a throwback to simpler times and I liked tossing the bean bags in the hole on the boardwalk at Biergarten, team me/Mimi against Poppy/Punch. We creamed them. Then two men in their early 30s--plastic beer cups in hand and visiting from Westchester, NY--played Mimi and Punch.
• Seagulls. Punch liked seeing them when we walked on the beach, and so did I. I also liked hearing them at night before drifting into restful sleep.
• Restaurants. Big draw here. A lot of sushi, upscale Asian....plus raw oysters, shellfish towers and famous restaurants like Carmine's.
• Entertainment. Names up in lights. Diana Ross will be in A.C. June 29 for Diamond Diana Tour.

That's it for now. Punchy home sick from school today, as if a 10-day spring break [counting weekends] wasn't enough. She threw up once and was up for hours in the middle of the night, so I kept her home. Now, of course, she seems fine.

I have to fit in a source interview and write article today.....

Punchy and I made this Two-Cheese Pasta with Cauliflower. P. grated the aged Provolone and the Pecorino Romano and cut the garlic clove [it was supposed to stay whole, but that's ok]. We made some vegan, too, with mock smoked Provolone cheese. Figgy just said Ummmmm!

Enjoy your day.

TOTAL DAILY SPEND: ZERO. TRAPPED IN HOUSE WITH PUNCH.

MONTHLY SPEND AS OF APRIL 29: $3,526.72.
AVERAGE DAILY SPEND SO FAR THIS MONTH: $121.61.

Big-ticket April spends so far [numbers rounded off], 29 days into the month:

Lamp, $79; luxe hand cream, $55; Giotto dinner to go + jar of imported Italian artichokes, $46; dog groomer/beauty salon, $75; vet for hamster, $157; necklace extension/repair/new clasp, $128; blowout, $55; Over the Moon, bday gifts for Punch friend + book for me, $60; Kings groceries, $132; liquor store, $32; bra/underwear/tights, $126; Joyist, $39 one day while working on assignments there; second blowout w service tips, $52; Punchy, Lululemon, $28; Justice, bday gifts and gift bag/pink tissue for Punch friend + shorts for Punch + $2 donation at register, $58; Kings groceries, $63; Joyist, $25 one day while working on deadlines; bike delivery, $35; Whole Foods, $69; CVS & Kings, Easter gifts/basket treats [counting lemon curd for tarts], $97; zoo day and lunch, spring break, $42; A.C. apps + drinks, treat Mimi & Poppy, $85; A.C. pretty lilac drape-neck top, $49; A.C. breakfast, treat Mimi + Poppy, $55; A.C. Skechers flip-flops, $35; A.C. sushi dinner, split bill, $52; Sis bday cards + gift, $35; Joyist, counting body oil, $71; Williams-Sonoma, gifts plus, $55; Kings, Sis bday lunch of caviar/blini/lox/small layer cake etc., $113; and Whole Foods, a lot of groceries, including scallops and lox, $201. Steep subtotal of $2,204.

MONEY THOUGHTS: I could have bought stuff online today! Chocolate, makeup, clothing. I'm glad I didn't. This accountability helps.

keeping my eye on

SO FAR: TOTAL APRIL SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $3,526.72.

MY TOTAL MARCH SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $4,128.41.

TOTAL FEBRUARY SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $3,159.25.

Bringing Home the Groceries

I went to Whole Foods in West Orange today and got a lot of quality things at good prices. But I was disappointed in the jumbo scallops from the seafood bar--$29.99 per pound. I got just over 1/2 lb., 6 big ones to pan-sear and divide among me, Dan and Punch. [Fig had dinner out with a friend.]

Next time, if I'm spending that many clams on scallops, I'm def going back to Gus & Co. Seafood on Valley Road in Montclair, which offers day-boat catches from the Jersey Shore. Prices are high but not higher than this and I swear, I can taste the sea in them.

High-ticket items in my cart, about $5 or more--but that doesn't mean they weren't a good buy per ounce or serving. Not listing things that didn’t cost $5 or more, such as heads of cauliflower, organic blackberries, garlic, feta, Cheddar, crackers, etc.

1. Dozen large eggs from Snoep Winkel Farm in NJ, $5.39. I'm getting more into slow food and eating local when possible, step by step.
2. Gallon 365 brand organic whole milk, $5.99.
3. Late July brand Cheddar sandwich crackers, 8 little snack bags, $5.99.
4. Vegan mock smoked "Provolone," $4.99.
5. Large jar 356 brand crunchy PB, $4.99.
6. Changing Seas smoked salmon, one full pound, $19.99.
7. Trio very large organic white yams, 4.36 lbs at $1.99/lb., $8.68.
8. Bag vegan Dandies brand mini marshmallows [no fish gelatin in them], $4.69.
9. Valrhona dark chocolate fèves , $8.64.
10. Friendship whipped cottage cheese, $4.99.
11. Quart organic strawberries, $4.99.
12. Christopher Kimball's Milk Street Magazine, a new food mag I haven't read yet...noticed recipe for Naples' Two-Cheese Pasta with Cauliflower and got all ingredients; mag was $6.95. [Recipe calls for 2 lb. cauliflower and 1/2 lb. pasta.]
13. Wedge aged Provolone to grate for #12 recipe, $6.90.
14. Wedge Romano Pecorino to grate for #12 recipe, $5.69.
15. Box fresh vegan ravioli, $6.99.
16. Box fresh cheese ravioli, $9.99.
17. Prosciutto and cheese tray for Punchy's lunch box tomorrow, $4.99.
18. Hot bar, jerk chicken and Mac and cheese, .69 lb., $6.20.
19. Jar Sriracha Vegenaise, $4.99.

TOTAL DAILY SPEND, ALL WHOLE FOODS: $201.34.

MONTHLY SPEND AS OF APRIL 28: $3,526.72.
AVERAGE DAILY SPEND SO FAR THIS MONTH: $125.95.

Big-ticket April spends so far [numbers rounded off], 28 days into the month:

Lamp, $79; luxe hand cream, $55; Giotto dinner to go + jar of imported Italian artichokes, $46; dog groomer/beauty salon, $75; vet for hamster, $157; necklace extension/repair/new clasp, $128; blowout, $55; Over the Moon, bday gifts for Punch friend + book for me, $60; Kings groceries, $132; liquor store, $32; bra/underwear/tights, $126; Joyist, $39 one day while working on assignments there; second blowout w service tips, $52; Punchy, Lululemon, $28; Justice, bday gifts and gift bag/pink tissue for Punch friend + shorts for Punch + $2 donation at register, $58; Kings groceries, $63; Joyist, $25 one day while working on deadlines; bike delivery, $35; Whole Foods, $69; CVS & Kings, Easter gifts/basket treats [counting lemon curd for tarts], $97; zoo day and lunch, spring break, $42; A.C. apps + drinks, treat Mimi & Poppy, $85; A.C. pretty lilac drape-neck top, $49; A.C. breakfast, treat Mimi + Poppy, $55; A.C. Skechers flip-flops, $35; A.C. sushi dinner, split bill, $52; Sis bday cards + gift, $35; Joyist, counting body oil, $71; Williams-Sonoma, gifts plus, $55; and Kings, Sis bday lunch of caviar/blini/lox/small layer cake etc., $113; and Whole Foods, a lot of groceries, including scallops and lox, $201. Steep subtotal of $2,204.

MONEY THOUGHTS: I haven't had enough healthy groceries in the house lately. I got some good ones at Whole Foods. We had baby kale with dinner. My friend Rachael posted an article with a reminder about "eating the rainbow," so I got orange cauliflower, plump blackberries, crimson strawberries. I piled the berries in my mother's crystal bowl and the family loved them. I ate zero. I think I will eat 1 black and 1 red berry before bed now. I have a hard time eating fruit. It's a learning curve.

keeping my eye on

SO FAR: TOTAL APRIL SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $3,526.72.

MY TOTAL MARCH SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $4,128.41.

TOTAL FEBRUARY SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $3,159.25.