Close To Normal ........

For a February, It's been a long month. Early on, a family member drove me down to New Brunswick for my annual Cardiology tests. I've driven myself the last few years but I've been having problems with my car and I was afraid of getting stuck down there. (Plus, last year, I had a really bad reaction to the Nuclear Stress Test and I was worried about that.)

A week later, I had a CT scan done in Metuchen.

A week after that, I had an Esophageal X-ray done in Edison.

The results were all good.

And then we had a snow storm.

I went out around 2 in the afternoon and dug out/cleaned off my car. While I was doing that, I started her up and let her run. The next day was warmer and I pulled out of my spot and headed for Shoprite to pick up a few things.

That's where I saw this guy.

I'm wearing a heavy coat in my car and he's out there in just a sweat shirt walking home. I was tempted but you gotta give credit where it's due.

A couple of days later, I drove up to Walmart to pick up a prescription that was ready. I saw this School Bus parked in their lot.

I'm not a big fan of School Buses but I understand what they do and I always stop when necessary. However, I do get annoyed if the driver decides to take up 4 spaces in a parking lot.

Point, press, Flash.

I didn't wait to see what happened.

I got to see my Granddaughter on Valentine's Day, so that was great (although my Daughter was ill and couldn't make it).

I was out and about a day or two later and was sitting in my car drinking my morning coffee when I saw this guy.

I watched him come down off the highway and make his way through the lot. He passed by and headed towards the stores behind me. If he was willing to walk that far for work I thought I should let him do it.

I met my Daughter and Granddaughter at Denny's for breakfast on Saturday. That was fun. When I got home, I checked my mailbox. Turns out, I have a parking ticket from Newark.

I haven't been to Newark in years and I've never driven there. My options were to plead guilty and pay the ticket or to contest it and go to Newark Municipal Court. I'm guessing that the Meter Person made a mistake with the plate number or - when it was entered into the system - it mas mistyped. Either way, I bit the bullet and paid the ticket rather then have to go to Newark Municipal Court.

This morning, I headed out to enjoy the day and pick up a few things. I took Rahway to Green Street heading to a nearby Dunkin' Donuts. It's actually on Amboy but it's in a strip mall that has a side turn-off on Green. I was doing the 25 MPH speed limit and - just before I was about to turn - a car came from behind me and cut me off, turning into where I was going. I had to brake hard, then followed him in.

I saw him park and pulled in near him. It looked like he was on his phone.

I waited a bit but he didn't get out or look at me. I went in to Dunkin's and picked up some breakfast. On my way back to my car, the guy who cut me off was coming in. We looked at each other. I smiled and wished him a good day. He nodded back. I got in my car, started it up, then looked out my side window.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove away thinking that now he'd have time to enjoy his breakfast while he waits for a tow truck.

I drove up Amboy and took the jug handle to Shoprite. I saw this guy trying to keep the hood up on his coat.

I'm in my car in a light jacket because I didn't think it was that cold out. Still, everyone is different.

I drove into the lot, parked, and picked up a few things.

       

I haven't been babysitting my Granddaughter for a while because my Son-in-law's work shift has changed. Yesterday, my Daughter and Son-in-law both texted me and suggested that I come by once or twice a week anyway. Tomorrow I'll be there with Apple Sauce, Strawberries, and some Chocolate Donuts.

Not quite the same but close to normal.

Before The Storm ..........

It's been a long couple of weeks.

I'm still exercising my hip and leg, and they're getting better. A couple of my doctor's have asked me to get some scans because they have some "concerns" about some recent test results so I have to schedule those. Also, I've got my yearly Cardio Tests scheduled for the 31st so I have those to deal with, too.

I mentioned before that circumstances have changed but I did get to spend some time with my Granddaughter. She's so enthusiastic about things and her vocabulary has really increased - although, sometimes -  I do have a problem understanding what she's talking about. I did promise her that I'd get her a simple jigsaw puzzle for our next visit.
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Just after New Year's Day, when school started again, I added another type of person to my "I Don't Like You" list - Crossing Guards. They wave that sign around for no apparent reason and they disregard the law.

It didn't make a difference to this guy that there's a street light right there - if someone wanted to cross he stopped traffic. Unfortunately, I couldn't do anything about it.

I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast. (I recently got this free travel mug from them that holds an extra-large coffee and, until the end of March, it's cheaper then a medium. I can't drink it all but I'm saving money.) I drove up into Avenel to pick up the paper. That's when I saw this guy.

I was still kinda annoyed but it was cold out and he was walking.

I drove home.

A week later, I went out and had a problem starting my car. I did the whole cranking the key/pumping the gas thing and she finally kicked in. I drove up Rahway to Freeman and headed towards Auto Zone. I saw this guy up ahead.

I was too concerned about the car to do anything.

I spent about an hour at Auto Zone and got a new battery.

I was out and about for the next several days.

Last week, I went out to run some errands and the car wouldn't start again. This time I wound up calling AAA. They sent a guy out to check the battery but that wasn't a problem since it was new. I wound up getting towed to my mechanic's. He called me later in the afternoon to say that they checked everything and couldn't find anything wrong.

I picked up the car the next morning and she started right up. At least he didn't charge me.

I headed towards Walmart. I was still leery about the car but I wanted to see if I could find a puzzle for my Granddaughter. Along the way, I saw this guy.

I've been dealing with a lot.

Point, press, Flash.

I found a really great puzzle at Walmart and I can't wait to see my Granddaughter's reaction.

Yesterday, I left my house around 9. My Pharmacy had called the day before and told me that they had two scrips ready for pick up. Of course, the car wouldn't start again.  I tried several times over the next couple of hours but nothing happened and, since my mechanic is closed on Sundays, there was nothing I could do. I had a friend pick me up so I could get my meds.

I went out this morning just before 9. I was expecting to have to call AAA again for a tow but the car started right up. I let her run for a while then drove to the mechanic's. He said that they'd checked everything last week and I should give it another few days. I wasn't happy about that but what could I do?

Since there's a Nor'Easter coming in I drove up to Shoprite to pick up some things. I parked near this guy. I've mentioned before that I don't like it when a bus/truck driver takes up too much space but this guy pushed it too far.

Four spaces? Really? New York plates?

Point, press, Flash.

Enjoy your stay in the Garden State.

I felt a lot better.

I bought a few things and drove home.

I'm ready for the storm.