Back At It ..............

I took most of August "off". Sure, there were opportunities for an Event but I chose to ignore them. Instead, I did my back exercises, celebrated a Birthday, and read a few books. And there were a few doctor appointments.

I saw an eye doctor on the 13th and ordered a new pair of glasses (a Birthday present from my Daughter). I went back to my Primary Doctor about my back on the 29th and she diagnosed my problem as a slightly dislocated left hip. She gave me some different exercises and an appointment in a couple of weeks.

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September started with some aggravation. On the 1st, I got a call about my glasses. They were in but one of the lenses was warped so they had to send it back. I'd waited over 2 weeks already and now I'd have to wait another week and a half.

I got back to Babysitting the day after Labor Day so my "free" time - when I can schedule appointments and run errands - is again limited to Thursdays and Weekends.

I had my quarterly Blood Work done on Thursday the 8th at RWJUH in New Brunswick at 8 AM. I had a nice drive down, got a good spot in the garage, and was out by 8:30.

I had my follow-up with my Primary on Saturday the 10th and I headed up there early. I took Chain-of-Hills to Grove and turned right. Up ahead, I saw this guy heading in my direction.

I've said before that I have this thing about bike riders on the road. I am now adding skate-boarders to that. He was weaving back and forth and wearing head phones. I had the windows down.

Point, press, Flash.

I turned right on Inman then left on Progress and parked in the first lot on the right. The doctor put me through some exercises and now thinks there may be a herniated disc or a pinched nerve. She gave me a scrip for an MRI and I made another appointment for Saturday the 24th.

I had the MRI done in Metuchen on Thursday the 15th at 7:30 AM. I left my house early and took Green Street towards Amboy Avenue. I saw this guy as I was passing a Quick Chek.

I'm good with a guy who's walking his bike on the sidewalk.

I got to the lab early. The MRI took about 20 minutes, and I got the disc and drove home. I had the rest of the day to do my wash and get some food shopping done.

This morning I had to pick up a prescription at Walmart. I was up early so I stopped by Shoprite to get a few things and to grab some breakfast at the Dunkin' Donuts counter in the store. On my way out, I spotted this woman on the corner.

It was a pretty open location but the glare level seemed good. Then I recognized her. She works in the Main Library that's just down the road. I let her cross before I made the right turn.

I got to Walmart a few minutes after their Pharmacy opened and picked up my meds. Normally, I would take Ford Avenue to Main Street on my way home but there was a Street Fair going on in Woodbridge. When that happens, they close off Main at Amboy and all the traffic backs up on Green.

I took Ford towards Route 1. That's where I saw this guy.

All the perfect elements were there.

Point, press, Flash.

I took Route 1 to Amboy then Freeman to Rahway then parked on Claire. I planned on walking up to Main Street to check out the Fair.

Again, no call that my glasses are in.

It's September and I'm back at it.

What I Expect ..............

Since my Daughter is off for the month of August, so am I. I've been trying to space out a lot of errands but I'm also trying to get a lot of doctor's appointments out of the way while I have all this free time. I don't know about anyone else but, when I go to a doctor, I have an expectation of what will happen - especially if it's someone that I've seen before.

When it comes to someone I haven't seen, I look him up. That's one of the benefits of the Internet. I've been having a Post Nasal Drip/Acid Reflux thing going on for a while and my ENT suggested that I see a Gastroenterologist. I picked a guy close by and the reviews he had said that he was personable but the wait time was very long.

I made an early appointment, so I drove up Rahway and turned left on Freeman. I saw this woman coming my way.

I was focused elsewhere and drove by.

I got to the office about 1/2  an hour early and filled out the paperwork. I settled in with my book but was called after about 5 minutes passed and the Doc came in about 10 minutes later. Since my problem was something that he couldn't actually see, I expected that he'd say that he'd have to do some kind of procedure that would involve him looking down my throat (which, I'm pretty sure, meant going to a hospital). Instead, he prescribed some meds and said I should follow this treatment for 2 months before we took any other action. That sounded good to me. I had the new scrip filled.

Yesterday, I had 2 appointments scheduled.

My early one was a follow-up with my Radiation Oncologist. I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast to go and drove up St. George. I took a right on New Brunswick and saw this guy up ahead, riding his bike.

I drove by, again.

As I expected, the Radiation Oncologist saw me early, took a cursory look at my neck, didn't even try to look down my throat, and told me to come back in 3 months. I made the appointment but we'll see.

Next up, a PSA test at my new Urologist in Edison.

I was running a bit early and, since I knew that they were milling on Inman Avenue, I took the long way using Chain-of-Hills and Oak Tree.

I saw this guy moving along at a pretty brisk pace.

He was on the wrong side of the street and I had to make a right.

I found a good spot and was in the Urologist's office about 15 minutes early. I was called a bit late and put into one of the waiting rooms. After another 15 minutes of hearing some of the staff talking outside, I opened the door and reminded them that I was only there for a PSA test. There was some confusion after that and I was told that the Doctor was going to do a Prostate Exam.

I've had this before but it was not what I expected and, frankly, I wasn't going to do it.

They did the PSA Test and I left.

Today, I went to see my Primary Physician - a General Practitioner who I go to from time to time. Frankly, my back's been bothering me and I want to get things squared away before I go back to babysitting. She's in an Industrial Park on Progress Street off Inman in Edison. As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed this guy.

I drove past him, parked the car, and went upstairs. I was a bit early but the Doctor was there already.

I admit that I haven't been there for a while so we spent some time updating my file. What I was expecting was that she'd give me a scrip for a back x-ray. What I got was a complete physical, some recommended exercises, and the x-ray scrip.

On the way home, I called a place that I've been to before and they said that I don't need an appointment for an x-ray, I can just walk right in. I plan to go the first thing in the morning.

Of course, that could change. Not everything turns out to be what I expect.

One Thing At A Time .............

My daily schedule has changed pretty significantly over the last few weeks. My Babysitting duties have been reduced to 2 days a week while my Daughter teaches Summer School. To help out, the Grandma is taking the other 2 and also took the whole first week of July as well. I find myself with some welcome free time on my hands and I've gone back to a lifestyle that I lived prior to September of last year - I spread my errands out so that I only do 1 - maybe 2 - a day.

Early in the month, I drove up to Walmart to pick up a prescription that was ready. I was in and out pretty quickly and, when I was back in my car, noticed this guy walking through the parking lot.

We'd just had a great Holiday Weekend so I was in a good mood. I watched him pass by. I stopped at the nearby Dunkin' Donut's and enjoyed my breakfast.

The next day I made my first Library Run in a long time. I was up early so I picked up some stuff at Shoprite and got breakfast at the Dunkin Donut's Counter. I got to the Main Library at 9 but didn't find anything interesting. I hit the Libraries in Rahway, Colonia, and Metuchen with no success. As I headed towards the Library in Iselin, I saw this guy coming in my direction.

It looked like he was carrying a couple of heavy bags from the nearby Krauser's so I left him alone. I stopped at the Library and found the first 3 volumes of a Young Adult mystery series set in late 1800's London for $.50 apiece.

On another day, I drove up to the Thrift Store in South Plainfield that I like to check out. I was hoping to get another pair or two of shorts for the summer but had no luck. Back in my car, I noticed this young man.

He was circling the SUV for some reason. I watched him for 5 minutes or so then started me car. As I pulled out ...

Point, press, Flash.

I don't know why he was doing what he was doing but it freaked me out.

I had a follow-up appointment with my ENT at the end of the week. My throat was still bothering me and I was hoping that he could prescribe something. I wound up waiting 1/2 an hour past my time before he saw me, which annoyed me. Long story short, he's guessing that I've got an Acid Reflux situation that's being aggravated by the Post-nasal drip. He said we should wait until after I see the radiology Oncologist - next month - then, maybe, I'll need to see a Gastroenterologist. That just increased my annoyance.

On my way home, I came up behind this woman.

Point, press, Flash.

That didn't help, I was still annoyed.

Last week I did a Supermarket run, hitting Shoprite, Foodtown, Acme, and Stop & Shop. I picked up some Cheerio's for my Granddaughter (she likes Honey Nut), some fried chicken for myself, and  12-packs of Schweppes' Sparkling Seltzer Water in different flavors (4 for $11.00). From there, I took Oak Tree Road down through what is known as the Little India section of Edison. That's where I saw this guy.

He was moving along at a brisk pace and there were a lot of people around. I drove on home.

In the middle of the week, I decided to renew my Registration so I headed up early to the MVC office in South Plainfield figuring to be there shortly after they opened at 8. Apparently a lot of other people had the same idea.

The line was already outside of the office and stretched down towards the next business. I turned around and drove down to Monmouth County. I stopped at the MVC in Hazlet and was done in less then 1/2 hour.

Monday, I went to get my haircut. I was there slightly before 8 and beat the barber by 10 minutes. I go that early on purpose because I like the way the early guy cuts my hair and I wasn't disappointed. Afterwards, I took a ride through the Ford's Section of Woodbridge and came up behind this person.

It was a nice morning and I was feeling good. I drove on by.

When I got home, I decided not to wait until August to find out what my throat problem is. I went onto the Medicare site and checked out Gastroenterologists in my area. I wound up making an appointment with someone nearby for Thursday at 10 AM.

This morning, after breakfast, I went back to the Thrift Store in South Plainfield and found a pair of shorts that I could add to the Summer rotation. I've heard that it's going to get really hot again so an extra pair would be good to have.

I took the long way home and stopped at the Subway store in Avenel.

I'd stopped for a Tuna Sub but saw that they were running their Hot Pastrami Special.

I got the Hot Pastrami and went home.

Tomorrow, I have that doctor's appointment. Hopefully he'll be able to suggest something.

Friday I'll be Babysitting.

Next week, I'm only Babysitting Wednesday and Friday. On those other days I'll find something to do. One thing at a time.

So It Goes ..................

Last Wednesday was the Last Day of School for my Daughter the Teacher. She's now off until she starts to teach Summer School on July 5th. This also means that I won't be Babysitting until then so I'm on "vacation" until then. The few days that remained in last week were spent doing errands so this didn't start feeling like a vacation until this past Monday.

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The only thing I have to do this week is a favor to some friends in Avenel. They're on a Cruise so I agreed to swing by their house every morning and let the dog out for a while, make sure she had food and water, turn on the Pool pump and then swing by on my way home to turn the pump off (other people are involved in taking care of the dog during the afternoons and evenings). Sounds pretty simple.

Monday, I left my apartment early and, while I was letting the car run for a bit, I saw this guy pull into a non-spot between my building and the next. Not only that but he was blocking the sidewalk.

Like I said, it was early and, as I watched the driver get out and walk away, I knew what I was going to do. As I pulled away ...

Point, press, Flash.

I took Rahway up towards Avenel.

I knew that some work was being done by the Township on the corner by my friends' house. It had something to do with putting in Handicapped Access Ramps. I was expecting that. I wasn't expecting to find that the entire street was closed off.

Apparently, they decided to mill and repave the entire street - from St. George up to Routes 1&9 at the same time as they did the Ramps. They were only just starting but I could see that there was going to be a problem. I had to park on the next block down and walk up to the house.

Afterwards, I did some food shopping then drove to the Second-hand store in South Plainfield. I've been invited to a Baptism in July and I wound up picking out a shirt and a pair of slacks to go with a jacket I own. On the way home, I came up behind this woman walking along Woodbridge Avenue.

I was on vacation and feeling good so I drove on by, stopped to turn off the pump, and went home.

I had a plan for Tuesday. I was going down to check out a few Libraries in Monmouth County. I headed up to Avenel to take care of the dog and found that the block I hoped to go down was now closed also.

I had to go down to St. George and come up one of the cross streets to do what I had to. Afterwards, I stopped at the local Dunkin' Donuts and got a large Iced Tea and a Wake Up Wrap and drove down to Monmouth.

They had predicted rain but I only ran into some brief sprinkles. I picked up a book about Gettysburg for $.25 at the Hazlet Library and an anthology of stories set in The Bronx for $1.00 at the Middletown Library. On my way out, I saw this guy reading a book at a table out back.

Good for him. I headed back.

 I stopped to turn off the pump and drove home. All in all, it was a good day.

Wednesday I drove back up into Avenel. Again, the streets that were closed had been changed and I had to maneuver around until I found a way to get closer to my friends' house.

That's when something began to dawn on me. There were police officers all over the area who were - basically - just standing around checking stuff out on their cellphones. I'm gonna look into this, I thought.

I stopped at the house and made sure things were good.  had arranged to stop by my Daughter's house to spend some time with her and my Granddaughter so I drove down to the Dunkin' Donuts closer to her. Along the way, I saw this person.

It was quiet here, and we were alone.

Point, press, Flash.

I had a great time with my girls and then drove back up to Avenel to turn off the pump. This time, I took a few side streets off of St. George to get there. That's where I saw this guy heading in my direction.

I was in a good mood and drove on by.

I took care of the pump and headed home. The milling had been done and, although the repaving wasn't finished, the street was open. I took it towards Avenel Street, being careful around the raised manholes. When I got to Avenel and made the left onto the raised roadway when I heard a clanking noise. After that, there was a constant dragging sound from under the car. Obviously, something had come loose. I wound up going directly to my mechanic on Main Street by the Train Station. Turned out that my muffler broke and  would need to be replaced.

I left the car and walked home.

(I looked into that "cops at street construction" situation. Turns out that they get paid $50 an hour for the overtime but we taxpayers shouldn't worry because the construction company picks up the tab. Digging a little deeper, I found that these companies include this expense in their bids for the jobs so we wind up paying for the overtime anyway.)

This morning, I picked up my car and headed back to Avenel. The access was easier, the repaving was coming along, and the cops were still out there doing nothing.

I took my breakfast to the Menlo Park Mall and read the paper. I did the crossword puzzle. I drove to Babies' R Us to see if I could find something for my Granddaughter. I didn't find anything but I did come across this woman walking across the parking lot. She was texting or whatever and totally oblivious to where she was and what she was doing.

Point, press, Flash.

I stopped to turn off the pump and drove home.

As I was updating my checkbook  (I used my Debit Card for the mechanic's bill) I realized something - because I'd been Babysitting 4 out of 5 days a work-week my shopping habits had changed and I'd been able to save some money. That just got eaten up by the repairs. It seems that every time I start to get ahead, something happens.

So it goes.

Something Old, Something New ..............

My allergies have progressively gotten worse over the last week. My throat has been constantly sore, my ears have been ringing, and my coughing has gotten so bad that I haven't slept well the last 3 nights. I decided last night to go to a walk-in Medical place that my daughter uses.

I woke up around 6:00 this morning and, since I couldn't get back to sleep, went online to check out the place and saw that they opened at 7:00. I checked my vitals, fed the cat, got dressed, and headed out. As I sat in my car letting it run, I noticed this guy checking out the garbage area behind my building.

It was a little cool out but it was bright and sunny. The glare was enough for me.

Point, press, Flash.

I got to the walk-in place a little after 7 and was the second person there. I saw a Nurse Practitioner who understood my situation because she was going through the same thing. She called in a prescription for some cough medicine for me and recommended that I get some Vick's Vaporub and add it to some boiling water then breathe in the vapors. This would open up my airways. I was out by 8 and, since my Pharmacy wouldn't open until 9, decided to get some things done.

I took the back way towards Shoprite. The sun was still shining brightly and there was still a glare on my front window. Up ahead, I saw this guy walking towards me.

There was no one else around but I was happy about how things had gone with the Nurse Practitioner and drove on by.

I picked up a few things at Shoprite and cut through a nearby development to get to Wawa's in Avenel. I topped off my tank and headed for the nearby Dunkin' Donuts. I saw this guy out early mowing his lawn.

I know it was after 8 and it's legal but, come on, it's Saturday morning.

Point, press, Flash.

I picked up a large iced tea and a ham breakfast wrap and drove to the Menlo Park Mall. I had the newspaper with me and spent the next hour eating breakfast and working on the crossword puzzles. It was now going on 10 so I headed for my Pharmacy, which is in the Woodbridge Walmart.

I took Parsonage to Route 1 then turned up Ford's Avenue. This turns back on itself and, just after crossing Route 9, ends up at Walmart. I've mentioned before that one of my pet peeves is that truckers take up way too many spaces. Today, I came across this.

I went inside first and picked up my cough medicine and their version of Vaporub. When I got back to my car, I made sure to drive around the far side of the RV.

Point, press, Flash.

As I drove away, I wondered if that burst would affect the minivan they were towing.

I headed for the Subway's on St. George and picked up a tuna sub. I drove home along Freeman. That's where I saw this guy.

It was starting to cloud over and I just wanted to get home. I drove on.

Before I ate lunch, I checked out the cough medicine.

It's not a liquid. It's a bunch of small, round jell-like balls. I'm supposed to take one 3 times a day for ten days.

Vaporub and cough syrup in a pill form.

Something old, something new.

Some Free Time ...............

This week - due to a couple of chance circumstances - I only had to Babysit on Monday and Wednesday. I got all of my weekly errands done on Tuesday and that left a 4-day stretch of pretty nice weather for me.

I started out Thursday morning a little later then usual. I stopped at the Wawa's in Avenel and filled up (at $1.91). I drove through the nearby neighborhood and came up behind this guy.

He had headphones on and was bouncing a Basketball in the middle of the street. If you're going to be an idiot, you get what you deserve.

Point, press, Flash.

I made a right onto St. George and headed down to Shoprite. I saw this guy, out for a morning stroll.

There was no one else around but it was still too open an area.

Friday, I stopped at the Dunkin' Donuts in Woodbridge and got breakfast to go. I stopped at the Dollar Store near the Wegman's. I picked up some toothpaste and some soap. On the way out, I noticed this woman.

It was tempting but, again, it was just too open.

I drove down Woodbridge Center Drive and took Route 1 towards Menlo Park and the Barnes & Noble's there. Up ahead, I could see this guy.

We were the only ones around and it only took a minute for me to catch up to him.

Point, press, Flash.

I stopped at the book store. I go to browse the children's books for the "Lift the Flap" ones that my Granddaughter likes but didn't find anything new.

Saturday I drove up St. George's and took Inman to the Colonia FoodTown. Occasionally, they have stuffed peppers in their Deli area. It's a very quiet, peaceful drive. Along the way I came up on this guy.

It was such a nice day - my windows were open and the radio was on. I drove on by.

I didn't stay out very long. Woodbridge was having a Street Fair on Main Street. These draw big crowds, especially on nice days. That means that the parking around my apartment gets taken up quickly. I got lucky.

This morning was sunny but the wind was strong. I woke up early, so I was out early. I stopped at Shoprite first. I'm back to Babysitting tomorrow so I picked up some lunch meat and some pre-made dinners that will carry me through the next 4 days. I got breakfast to go from their in-store Dunkin' Donuts.

I drove up to Wegman's and picked up some French Onion soup. They have the best price.

I drove from there to Walmart and picked up a Febreze car air freshener. To me, these are the best and Walmart has the best price. On the way out, I saw this guy.

Again, it was another one of those "too open" situations.

It was starting to cloud over. I got on Ford's Avenue, then turned onto Woodbridge Avenue, which becomes Main Street.

 I saw this woman up ahead.

This wasn't too open at all.

Point, press, Flash.

I headed home. It's always nice to have some free time.

Another Busy Thursday ..................

It's Thursday again which means that I have to get as many errands as possible done. I started in-house and cleaned the litter box and took out the recyclables. I was out of the house by about 7:30.

First up, getting the laundry done. I headed to the Laundromat in the strip mall with Shoprite. When I pulled in, I noticed that the trees were in bloom

It wouldn't be long before my allergies kicked in.

I put the laundry in and had 1/2 an hour to kill. I went into Shoprite and bought some yoghurt. I stopped at the They have a Dunkin' Donuts counter inside and I picked up an Iced Tea and Wake-up Wrap for breakfast. I ate in the car then picked up my wash and drove home to drop it off.

Next, I went to get my haircut. I go to the barber on Main Street in Woodbridge because it's local and they have a senior discount. The Township is doing road work so I had to go through some side streets to get there. I saw this guy up ahead.

There was no one around but, by the time I caught up to him, the pickup truck was in the way. I parked in a nearby lot and walked over to the shop. I got lucky because one of the barbers was idle and I got taken right away.

It wasn't even 9:00.

I headed up St. George's Avenue then right onto Avenel Street. I stopped at a Krauser's for the paper and Lottery tickets. I got back on St. George's and headed up towards Rahway. That's where I saw this guy.

It was pretty sunny out and there was no one in the immediate vicinity.

Point, press, Flash.

I took the next right onto Industrial Avenue then turned left onto Inman. The radio was on and the windows were open.

I was heading towards the Foodtown, sometimes they have Stuffed Peppers at the Deli Counter. Along the way, my phone rang. I pulled over and listened to an automatic message from the Walmart Pharmacy. A prescription I had renewed was ready. I skipped Foodtown and headed up there.

I made the left onto Wood Avenue, crossed Route 27, then made a left onto Middlesex Turnpike. I took the first right, cut through a cemetary, and came out on Woodbridge Center Drive. I was starting to itch all over - my allergies were kicking in early. I saw this guy up ahead.

It was a bit more open then I would've liked but the itching was annoying.

Point, press, Flash.

I picked up my prescription and headed home.

It was another busy Thursday.