When Stuff Happens, Ask For Ray.........

The car has been running fine and things have been going good for just about a month. Of course, that never lasts.

I'm still babysitting two mornings a week - Tuesday and Friday - so my Son-in-law can sleep in (he works nights now). I spread out all my errands over the other three days (I try to stay out of the stores on the weekend). A couple of weeks ago, as I usually do, I stopped at Shoprite to see what they had. There's a Storage place next door and I noticed that their truck was taking up 4 parking spaces.

PICTURE NOT AVAILABLE. *

I drove around the lot, came up beside the van and ....

Point, press, Flash.

I parked in a spot in a few rows away and picked up what I needed. I drove away.

Last week, I went out early as usual. I picked up breakfast at the Dunkin Donuts on Amboy Avenue and ate it in the car while listening to the Morning Guy on NJ101.5. I headed up to Walmart to pick up a scrip that they had ready for me.

As I was making the left turn into the lot this guy made the right. Maybe he had the right-of-way but it still annoyed me. I saw where he parked, then parked myself and went inside. I picked up my scrip, got back in my car, and drove around so that I had a clear view of his car.

PICTURE NOT AVAILABLE. *

Point, press, Flash.

He wouldn't be going anywhere soon.

I drove home, got a parking spot on the side street, and went inside.

My door wouldn't open.

I kept trying the key but it wouldn't move.

PICTURE NOT AVAILABLE. *

I called the Landlord but it went to voicemail. I called the new Management Company he hired and wound up in Voicemail, again. I wound up going to the local library and looking up Locksmiths. I got someone who said he'd be out in about 1 1/2 hours. It turned out to be closer to 3, but I spent the time with my Daughter and Granddaughter.

I went back to my Apartment just after the Locksmith called that he was on his way. On a whim I tried my key.

The door opened. I felt bad but I cancelled the Locksmith.

Things were good again until this past Sunday.

My morning routine is getting up, feeding the cat, checking my vitals, taking my meds, and then logging on to my laptop. I like to check my email and see what's happening on Facebook  (also, I check my bank account). Yesterday, my laptop didn't work.

That really annoyed me.

Thankfully, I know a guy.

A friend introduced us about 4 years ago. He works at the local P. C. Richard's store.

He fiddled around with it for a while and it still wouldn't work. Long story short, I bought a new one. The list price I saw was $549 and it was on sale for $449. He sold it to me for $300. He even set it up for me  (although I could've done that).  He also promised to try and recover my pictures from the old laptop. Maybe I got played but I felt good about it.

Yesterday, I filled up my tank, got an oil change, and went back to see my guy. He gave me a Flash Drive with everything that was in the File Explorer. He even showed me how to access it. He had to charge me for the Drive, of course, but it was only $10. (I also got my old laptop back. Not sure what I'm gonna do with it.)

I've spent the last few days linking back to some of my Favorite sites and hope to get around to working with the Flash Drive soon.

(* These pictures are - hopefully - on that Drive.)

The moral of the story is that if you need anything electronic and you're in the Woodbridge, New Jersey area stop in at P. C. Richards and ask for Ray.

A Busier Month Then Usual .............

June started out pretty quietly.

As has been our routine, I've been swinging by on Tuesday and Friday mornings to watch my Granddaughter and let my Son-in-law sleep in a little (he's now working nights). Then things started to pile up.

Tuesday the 6th, I was up early so I swung by Shoprite before Babysitting. I knew that they had some mini-muffins on sale and I know she likes them. When I came out, I noticed this truck.

I've said before that truckers who park this way annoy me. I was peeved but I had to be somewhere. Then I noticed that it was a Bud Light truck. I drove around the lot and came up behind it.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove down to my Granddaughter's and had a nice morning.

Thursday the 8th, I drove down to New Brunswick for Blood Work. I took Route 27, as usual. It was early but I thought that the traffic was pretty heavy. Along the way, I saw this guy.

He seemed to be waiting for a bus. There were too many people around.

Friday the 9th, I Babysat.

Monday the 12th, I drove up to the MVC in Rahway. My car was due for Inspection. I knew they opened at 8 so I got there about 7:45. The line was all the way out to the street. It was just too hot to wait.

Tuesday the 13th, I Babysat.

Wednesday the 14th, I decided to bite the bullet and go for the Inspection. I stopped, first, at Dunkin' Donuts to get some breakfast to take with me. I saw this guy parked outside. He was in the "No Parking/Fire Zone" Area.

I see someone doing this almost every time I stop here and it annoys me. I usually just let it go but today - anticipating a lengthy wait at the MVC - I reacted. I drove out one exit and in the next.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove up to Rahway and - to my surprise - was in and out in about 10 minutes.

Thursday the 15th, I had my semi-annual appointment with my Cardiologist in New Brunswick. My appointment was for 9:20 but I got there 2 hours early in order to get a spot in the garage next door. I had a leisurely breakfast in the hospital cafeteria (I actually like their food). Things went well, they took me early, and everything is good.

On a whim, I took Route 514 back. That's where I saw this woman.

I figured that she was heading for work.

I drove by.

Friday the16th, I Babysat.

Tuesday the 20th, I drove over to Babysit and saw this guy.

Not sure why he was there but I drove by. When I got to my Granddaughter's house and pulled up to the curb something ripped a hole out of my front-passenger tire and it blew. I didn't call AAA until 11 because I was having a good time. The AAA mechanic put on the donut that I had and I drove home.

This morning, the 21st, I was up early - again - so I picked up some breakfast and went up to Atlantic Tires on St. George Avenue to get a replacement. I was out in about 1/2 hour and, when it was done, I took the side street out and rode up through Avenel. That's where I noticed this.

This is another thing that annoys me - parking the wrong way. I slowed down. I looked around. There was no one else around.

Point, press, Flash.

Good luck moving that car now.

I headed for home smiling.

A Couple Of May Days ..........

I've mentioned before that I've had a problem with my car starting on damp, rainy days. Also, that there's been some problem with my Blood Work (partly because I couldn't get there because of the car). A couple of weeks ago I decided to be proactive. I went down to RWJ for a follow-up test then dropped off the car at my mechanics. Rain was predicted for that night and the next day so I was hopeful that he'd be able to finally identify the problem.

It poured.

He called around 4 to say that the car started without a problem. I got a call around 5 from my Cardiologist's. My numbers are back to normal.

I can't explain why these things happened but I'm glad they did.

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I've been out, driving around, ever since then. I spent so many days in my Apartment because the car wouldn't start that I feel obligated to get out there every day.

Saturday, there was a Merchant's Fair scheduled for 11:00 AM on Main Street which is very close to where I live. When they have these events, the parking around my block becomes difficult. I was out early and started at Dunkin' Donuts.

As I passed the blue car in the Handicapped spot I noticed that he didn't have plates or a hanger. There were several people ahead of me on the line and a few others eating at the tables. I picked up my order and left. That car was still there.

I drove around the Parking Lot and slowed beside it.

Point, press, Flash.

He's gonna have to call for a tow and, hopefully, get a ticket at the same time.

I picked up some food for lunch/supper, got a good spot by my place, and - actually - walked up to check out the Fair (and meet up with my girls).

Sunday was sunny and a bit warmer. I slept in a bit longer then usual and headed out about 8:30. I hit the Dunkin' Donuts in Avenel and then took New Brunswick Avenue up to Iselin. I came up behind this guy.

He was minding his own business and I decided to, also.

I stopped at Foodtown and picked up some Spare Ribs. I decided to head towards the Target in Edison. I didn't need anything but I was enjoying the drive.

I made the left onto Grove and saw this person up ahead.

There was no one around.

Point, press, Flash.

I continued on Grove then turned onto James Street. This becomes Parsinage Road on the other side of Route 27 and leads up to Target. I browsed around for a while but didn't get anything. I headed home.

I wound up on Thornall Road that leads to a Business Complex and the Metro Park Train Station. That's where I saw this guy.

It looked like he was headed to work. Since it was a Sunday, I left him alone and headed home.

Today is another dreary, rainy day. I was tempted to stay home but I worry that, if I do, the car won't start tomorrow. I went out around 8.

I took Rahway to Freeman, heading towards Amboy. That's where I saw this guy.

It was not a great day to be walking around and I drove by.

The rain got heavy at times so there weren't too many people walking around. I was out for about 2 hours and got home a little after 10.

I had some French Onion Soup for Lunch.

Just a couple of normal days in May.

So Far, So Good ............

It's now 2 weeks into April and, for the most part, things have been going smoothly. My only problems have been several requests to repeat my recent blood work and the continuing saga with my car not starting when it was raining overnight.

Last week, we celebrated my Granddaughter's 2nd Birthday. It was Wednesday, and it was just the immediate family. Pizza, presents, and Birthday Cake. Sunday, as many of our extended family who could came out for a great time in the back yard and the warm weather.

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We're in this great streak of warm weather although that has a tendency to make the Pollen Levels go up and I have to deal with that. Monday morning I spent some time with the Baby. Tuesday, I ran some errands - driving around with the windows down just enjoying the warmth. Today, I decided to make a Library run, which I haven't done in a while.

I was out early and stopped at Shoprite. I picked up a few things and bought my breakfast at their Dunkin' Donuts counter. Back at my car, I noticed this guy.

Here we have 2 of my pet peeves at one time - School buses and people taking up too many spaces. I drove through the lot and came up behind him.

Point, press, Flash.

Feeling good, I stopped at the Main Library branch on Amboy. There was nothing interesting.

I've had some luck with the Rahway Library so I headed up there. It's in their Municipal Complex and surrounded by a Residential Area. On my way there, I saw this woman jogging.

Good for her. I drove on. Again, I didn't find anything. That didn't bother me - I was just enjoying the drive.

I headed toward Metuchen. I took Inman to Grove then cut through a development. That's where I saw this guy. I think he was waiting for a ride.

He looked right at me as I got closer and I just drove on by.

Nothing interesting in the Metuchen Library either.

Since I was close, I decided to stop at Target. Easter is coming up and I wanted to pick up some things. When I got back to my car, I saw this guy.

I thought that it might be Doyle or someone he sent considering it was one of those black, anonymous SUV's. I waited in my car but nothing happened.

I drove home.

I have to go to New Brunswick tomorrow to finish up the whole Blood Work situation (I hope).

All in all, I'm having a good April.

So far, so good.

March - Just Saying ............

I've arranged with my Daughter and Son-in-law to swing by a couple of mornings a week to spend time with my Granddaughter. We chose Tuesday and Friday mornings. The first week, I went over when I got a text that she was awake and she's had breakfast, which was usually around 9:00. Then I got to thinking ... my Son-in-law works nights so if I were to go over when my Daughter leaves for work around 7:20, I could go in and watch the monitor while he sleeps in.

I would wake up around 6:00, do a few routine things, and drive to Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast which I would eat in the car. That first week, I noticed this white SUV parked off to the side. The only other place that's open this early is a Pre-school so I figured it must belong to someone in there.

I text when I'm on my way and it worked out pretty well.

The following week, I was sick with a stomach virus so I missed out.

The week after that, we got hit with a snow storm on the Tuesday. Fortunately, it was only about 4 inches and I cleaned off/dug out that afternoon. Unfortunately, they plowed me back in and it froze over. I had to wait for my Son-in-law to come over on Thursday to help me out. I was able to go Friday.

Last week, we moved my days to Wednesday and Friday. Wednesday, I was back at Dunkin' Donuts and so was the white SUV.

My Granddaughter and I had a good time and I left around noon. I decided to pick up a sandwich from Quick Chek. I pulled into their parking lot and saw this guy.

He was just standing in the Parking Lot scratching off a lottery ticket. It's been a while.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove to Subway's instead.

Thursday, I drove down to New Brunswick for my quarterly Blood Work. I was early and out quickly. I took my usual Route 27 drive home.

There was still a lot of snow around the corners. I noticed this bike rider darting in and out of my lane because of it.

I don't like bike riders but it was just too open.

Friday, I was back Babysitting and, again, left around noon. I tried for Quick Chek again, this time for their Steak Shredded Potato Bowl.

This time, I came across this poor guy.

I figured that he was having enough trouble, besides, I really wanted that Bowl.

Saturday, I picked up some Board Games for my Granddaughter's Birthday in April.

Today it was raining when I went out and the car wouldn't start. I'm beginning to think that she won't start when it's damp out.

I just got a call from my Cardiologist's office. For some reason, they didn't get my tacrolimus level results. They need that to keep my anti-rejection meds in balance.

I have to go back Thursday morning.

March can't end soon enough for me.

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.