Thursday Fun Day

 So my trainer Jonathan texted early -- could we move our session to Friday, to accommodate other clients? We could indeed -- and so in 1.5 hours I'm off to get my flexibility and strength dose, to hopefully avoid the falls that come with age. Meanwhile, yesterday I got in my 3 miles on the street, encountering the friendly neighbors, including Karen, our new HOA VP. She told me her duty is to plan the holiday party -- what did I think of a progressive party this year. I told her I thought, like many rich areas, we had a lot of Trump voters -- not sure about the progressive thing. As a lifelong Democrat, she scowled.

But then I told her I liked the idea -- probably a decade or so ago, several of our neighbors had a NYE progressive party. Our next door neighbors Diane and Charlie, long divorced and moved upstate, had the apps and some cocktails,and Ann and Mark hosted dinner. They've also fled, to North Carolina, because of a VERY funny reason. Back to that in a moment. The night ended at our place -- nice champagne, and dessert as the bells for the new year chimed. So Karen is now recruiting 4 or 5 neighbors -- not sure if Wifey wants in.

We hosted the a big Devonwood party the year we moved in, and Wifey announced we would do it again in 80 years -- that's how many houses we have, and Wifey figured after everyone else took THEIR turn, we would do it again. Ha -- she's into equity...

But back to Ann and Mark. Ann was a bit of a looker in the 60s on Long Island, but, alas, somehow aged into her late 60s. Unlike many women who accept that, Ann had it with Miami, and the, well, many non appearance challenged women. At lunch at Greenstreet's in the Grove, with her husband, they were surrounded by hot young women at the other tables. "That's it!," Ann announced -- "We're off to Raleigh, NC -- women are frumpier there!" And indeed they listed their house, and made their way to the land where her cohorts wear sweatsuits instead of revealing outfits. Hey -- different strokes...

Anyway, after the walk, Wifey and I motored up to the Shores, and spent time with D2, and then loaded all 3 family dogs to go fetch Little Man, who is in the final weeks of preschool. Wifey waited for him -- no Little Man. A bit of tensosity followed -- where was he? Turns out his after school Drama group had decided to work late, and apparently some of the parents didn't get the email saying dismissal would be at 430 instead of 330. The very friendly Miami Dade Deputy Sherriff who is always at the school assured us our grandson was NOT lost -- just late. And indeed he came skipping out, to be greeted by a car full of dogs and his favorite honey yogurt.

We hung with both boys, and D1 came home, and D2 ordered us in Pura Vida. At 6, D1 had a babysitter coming to spell Lizeth the nanny, as she had a challah bake at Baby Man's preschool. Unlike her mother, Wifey, D1 IS a challah back girl...

Wifey was on her phone, which told me she was tired, and we dropped off D2 and Betsy at home -- I wanted to by at my desk top by 730, for a Zoom Memorial for Kenny's Dad Manny. I made it with minutes to spare!

About 25 folks were on, telling tales of Manny, and Manny's friend and co-worker of many years, himself VERY old, was one of them. He couldn't figure out the camera, and so just participated verbally, and he commented, in a pitch perfect LI accent, about EVERYTHING that was said.

Afterwards, Kenny and I texted, and agreed it was like having the Muppets' Statler and Waldorf on the Zoom.

But mission accomplished -- lovely tales were told of a very good man who was beloved by many, and brought his gift of music to students, and later to residents of his ALFs. He died at 92 in his own bed -- not a bad run, as all agreed.

So today I have my training, and then a trip to Total Wine. Wifey hosts mah jonng every Wednesday, and Lili LOVES my Cosmos, which are just pre-mixed Ketel One Cosmos, but I need replacements -- along with vodka, which somehow seems to go fast. I'll need some for Sunday -- Jonathan and D2 are coming for Mother's Day, and that means some martinis for us...

D1 is bringing the boys tomorrow afternoon -- Wifey and I are babysitting -- as D1 has a local birthday sushi party. We'll bring the boys to Chill 'N -- the local ice cream place with all the smoke that supposedly makes the ice cream better. I have a feeling the boys will appreciate the science lab nature of the place...

And Europe draws near -- 2 weeks from tonight. A boat down the Danube. Talk about a progressive party...