A Young Person's Game

 So D1 and Joey have always had a nanny since they both work full time, and there has been accompanying nanny drama. The first one, Doris, was terrific, but she had to return to her native Colombia during Covid's beginning, and then there were a few non starters.

After a year long nanny quit, they hired an older lady 3 weeks ago. Wifey thinks she was close to her age, which can never be revealed even after Wifey starts Medicare in December. The lady seemed nice enough, but Wifey noticed she was taking a lot of breaks. Sure enough, she called in gone Monday. And D1 had a critical business call in the afternoon.

No problem. Wifey and I cruised up to the house around 4, and spent a delightful 2 hours with our grandson. But I realized something. I don't have THAT much patience for a toddler, and Wifey lacks energy for more than an hour or so. Sure enough, after playing floor golf for an hour, Wifey fell into a deep sleep for the next hour. I took over.

Wifey and I COMBINED are essentially one toddle baby sitter. This parenting young kids truly is a young adults' game.

Joey came home, and we left the beautiful young family. Fortunately, they found a replacement nanny who starts Wednesday -- and hopefully she'll last a bit longer. Child care for the well off is tough enough -- no wonder it's a leading issue in the US. 

We were fortunate. Wifey  became a full time Mom after D1 was born, and I was able to support us on my earnings alone. Also -- it seemed much easier to find good child care in the 80s and 90s than it is today, even though the birth rate is down.

We stopped at Akashi, a sushi place D2 loves, and found it a cluster. They only do takeout, and after an hour post Uber Eats order we were ready to abandon the project, when a text came that the order was ready. Still -- Wifey had to fight her way in amongst the many UberEats/Grubhub folks. I realized the issue -- the place is right across from UM, and school's in session. They were selling sushi like it grew in the rivers...

Our First World drama continues today. We're headed over to Bouche, a place that sells and installs appliances. We used them years ago when we rebuilt our last house after Hurricane Andrew. They're expensive but worth it.

If the new fridge will take several months to get, Junior, Al the owner's son, said his crew can haul away our old unit and install the Home Depot job I have in the garage. If the time is shorter -- I'll just return the normal fridge to HD.

In the mean time, I think I'm losing weight because of this. I'm used to walking the few steps and pulling out something to eat. Now, a trip to the garage causes hesitation -- am I REALLY hungry?

Luckily, the ice maker I bought is working, so Zoom and actual cocktail parties are a go. So like the anthem of all women, I will survive.

And I am SO grateful my only child duties are temporary and short. I'm 60. That stuff is for the young-uns.

Left Out In The Cold

 Wifey always says that when it comes to undertaking home projects, I'm a Negative Nancy -- always thinking things won't work out or will become far more complicated. The reason for that is that I'm typically the one who actually DOES the hiring and planning, and so I know my pessimism is well placed.

And so it has been with the refrigerator. Wifey is getting all new appliances, and the custom ones we need to replace the existing ones take months to arrive on account of the pandemic. So when our 13 year old KitchenAid built in finally died during our weekend trip, I figured I'd buy a regular type unit, have it installed, and be in high ice and chill until the permanent unit could be installed.

I went on Home Depot's site Monday, picked out a Whirlpool unit, and set up delivery for Saturday. Simple. Ha. As if!

Yesterday am Aurelio and his assistant arrived, and moved the new fridge to the garage, and then came to the kitchen to remove the old one. Aurelio grew glum. "Bad news, boss. These things weigh 1000 lbs -- need 4 guys to move them. And they're top heavy -- so really dangerous. We can't touch them with 2 guys."

He suggested I call the delivery company -- said this happens all the time, and "lots of rich people in the Gables and Pinecrest like these built in units -- and I don't know why. They can't be moved, and really don't even hold much more than regular jobs." I agreed.

I called the number, and got nowhere. They said they'd call my local Home Depot. Without the boring, annoying details -- it was a whole day of calls and holds which got nowhere.

But then Aurelio called. He could come back with his "private crew" and take away the old unit for $600. I offered $400. Nope. He had passed my tipping point, so Aurelio is out as my drug dealing-type appliance guy.

So I figure tomorrow I'll frustrate myself more with calls to Home Depot and the delivery company, and end up hiring a crew from Angie's list -- probably for $600 or so.

And then Wifey is going to the new appliance service shop -- to order the new stuff, including state of the art ovens that never get used, except to keep stuff heated when we have catered parties. But they'll look nice -- all matched in stainless steel.

So for now -- we have the garage fridge -- which works REAL well. I put some old fashioned ice cube trays in the freezer -- had cubes in an hour! So between that and the countertop icemaker I got from WalMart.com -- cocktails will continue to be served cold.

Yesterday, while the appliance drama was unfolding, D2 and Jonathan hosted a fun dog/pool party with their friends. Bodie the retriever spent the entire time diving and swimming. It was wonderful. Bodie the Doodle joined Betsy in avoiding the pool. Our old dogs, the strange rescue and special needs Spaniel -- avoided the whole scene.

It was terrific to have these young people -- a newly minted pediatrician Dr. Barry trained, and her lawyer husband, and a construction manager and his marketing exec wife, along with Jonathan's colleague Michael, enjoy the day. And the lawyer, Max, made some fine frozen margaritas. 

After they left, D2 and Jonathan had another party -- right in Pinecrest. I pregamed with Jonathan, and Wifey dropped them off. We went inside, like we would have when the kids were teens, to make sure there was proper parental supervision. The late 20s set, now homeowners, all laughed. 

Ah -- the circle of life. Wifey and I fetched some Mexican food, and came home. The buzz of the vodka had erased the tensosity of the failed appliance project.

Eventually -- things will be cool.

Meeting By Accident

 So Monday I dealt with our classic First World problem -- the broken refrigerator. I looked it up -- we bought it in January of '07, and saw that 14 years is about an average lifespan for these things. Funny, though, the thing was about $5K then -- replacement "built in" ones are now double that -- and, you can't GET them for 6 months.

So I went on Home Depot.com and bought an interim refrigerator -- hopefully to be delivered Saturday. We'll see. In the mean time, we're using the primitive, simple fridge in the garage -- probably living the way my great grandparents did back in the schtetl when they only had refrigerators in their garages...

Anyway -- got a call from Norman -- his S2 Michael and he were having breakfast at LOL -- would I like to join them? Of course I would, and drove over there and saw a spot. I thought -- hey -- I'll go to the part of the lot where the spaces are big, but then my desire for the bagel got the better of me, and I pulled in next to a nice Kia sedan. I heard a crunch. Damn -- I hit the car.

The Kia was within the space, but parked at an angle, and as I reconstructed my crash, realized I thought I had the room to pull in. I was wrong. I parked a few spots over, and took out one of my cards -- and wrote "Sorry -- please call me and I'll pay damages." The car had a UM tag and a disabled placard hanging from the mirror.

I then had a great time with Norman and Michael -- even with the looming knowledge that it would be a costly morning. But I recalled the sage words of Norman's wonderful father Max -- turning 94 next week, and still, thankfully, sharp as a tack: "A problem that can be solved with money is not really a problem."

I left, and drove to a body shop next to my gym. The fellow took pix and told me he'd call. And then I went to a body shop a block away where I had had Wifey's cars repaired several times over the years -- she used to make a habit of these things, and thankfully has been more careful lately -- certainly more careful than I was.

That body shop was owned by a fellow whose son, he proudly said, was off the NYU this week -- to study Art. The young man had graduated New World School -- the top magnet school in the state. He showed me some of his work -- in the back office. It was stunning -- bright colors, and a lot of Covid themes. I wished him well.

That estimate was for $850 for my bumper. The first one came later -- just under $1K. I'll be leaving the girlie Lexus at the artist shop next week.

Meanwhile -- no word from my victim -- until the evening. I got a call from a lady with an educated Southern accent -- named Wescott. She was delightful. She said the fact that I left my information meant the world to her -- she was, like most of us, losing faith in humanity, and my act reversed that loss. I was humbled -- I just did the right thing, after all.

Well -- we spoke -- for over an hour. She's a Tar Heel grad, but Canes fan for 40 years -- moved here to be close to her father, who was a UM Med professor. She lives in the Redland, and just sold her house to move to a condo in Satellite Beach. I looked her up on FaceBook -- attractive lady, probably about 70 or so. No mention of a husband or kids.

Anyway -- we had some friends in common, including a well known divorce lawyer in the Grove, who was infamous for sleeping with his clients back in the day. The fellow never married, and my new friend said he was therefore "The Only Cuban man in Miami who never cheated on his wife."

I love political incorrectness. We got each other right away.

She took her car to the Kia dealership, and the estimate was just under $1100. I already cut the check and am popping it into the mail today. Wescott and I are new FaceBook (tm) friends. I'm sorry she has the inconvenience of leaving her car in the shop, but she said she had lots of time. Sort of like me.

Anyway -- into each life, some fender benders must fall, I guess. Don Corleone said that women and children could be careless -- men couldn't afford to be careless. Well, I was, and am paying for it. And that's ok. Max is, as usual, correct.

FDOS

 Here in Miami Dade, today is a day that always brings back happy memories: the first day of school! I always loved it -- no matter how busy I was at work, I was in charge of FDOS.

I'd bring the Ds outside, and take their pictures near a growing tree. In post Andrew Kendall, that was a black olive by the front of the property. Each year, we'd compare the photos to see the Ds growth versus the tree. The tree always won.

I'd walk them into class. The supplies were all new. The screw ups hadn't yet screwed up. Everyone had straight As. As an academic dilettante, FDOS represented so much to me -- school was where you got better as a person. My beloved Dad was always far more impressed by an educated man than a rich one, and I guess I inherited that. And FDOS was sort of the Rosh Hashonah of that concept.

Alas -- the Ds are long since graduated from Graduate School. But this year, our little man has an FDOS at preschool! He's been attending for awhile, but the official start of his year is today -- D1 already sent a photo of him IN HIS UNIFORM! The cuteness should have been illegal -- he's 20 months old, and already looking like he has a school agenda.

During the past months, he would approach his friend Clio, and touch her pigtails. It was his morning ritual. Clio liked it. This year they're in different classes -- so our guy will have to find some other adorable way to begin his day.

Meanwhile, on the home front, there is a First World crisis. The refrigerator, which I've never liked, is finally kaput. It's one of those built in Kitchen Aid jobs -- I guess about 10 years old. We replaced the icemaker a few months ago, and since then the damned thing taunts me -- sometimes it works, but often it doesn't. I bought old fashioned trays, as well as a $100 icemaker from Walmart for emergency cocktail use.

I also told Wifey to get on the new appliance project -- of course she wants all the appliances to match, and I reminded her it takes months to get new built in refrigerators on account of Covid.

Well, Wifey still can't seem to locate that tool essential for any of life's tasks: the Round Tuitt. So the kitchen thing never happened, despite months of reminders.

Today, the damned thing went from spotty working to melted stuff and a ruined InstaCart order. So I sprang into action.

I went online and ordered a standard type refrigerator from Home Depot -- one in stock that can be delivered, hopefully, this coming Saturday. It's just south of $2K, as opposed to the $10K to stupid "built in" models cost, but it'll have to do for awhile.

If Wifey finds that ever elusive Round Tuitt, which I bet against, the new Home Depot model gets to go to the garage as the auxiliary refrigerator -- the one there now is a cheap model probably nearing 10 years old as well -- and these days 10 years for any appliance is a victory.

Again -- classic First World issues. May they be the only type we deal with. But I AM looking forward to hearing the happy sound of lots of ice being made, from an actual working icemaker -- as opposed to the possessed one now sitting behind me and making, I'm sure, silent faces at me.

Also -- I'm off -- to vaccine #3. The Israelis have started giving third doses of Pfizer to everyone over 40 , as long as it's been 6 months since the second jab. I figure if it's good enough for my counterparts in the Holy Land, it's good enough for me -- especially since lots of doses are just being wasted and expiring anyway due to the moron vaccine hesitants. So I get the jab at 9 -- the third, largely because of all the dunces afraid to get even one. Eh -- what are ya gonna do, as Tony S used to say.

But most importantly, my thoughts are with all the kids at FDOS. Soar on, students. And learn, for example, that science saves us. Get your information from trusted sources -- not drop outs on the internet. Wouldn't that be something?

Grandson -Cation

 Back before the Little Man joined the band, we were privileged to take Full Squad trips. Joey started the Full Squad text group -- including Wifey, me, the Ds, and both sons in law. We had some fine times together -- NYC, Mohonk Mountain House, and Colombia. With the damned plague still about, there have been no Full Squad plus grandson trips. Until now.

Ocean Reef Club is an exclusive private resort at the Northern edge of Key Largo. Wifey and I visited one afternoon, with our friend Crazy Sheryl, who had been a member years before. Somehow she talked her way in, and we had lunch there. The place is amazing -- mostly very wealthy Midwestern types -- heads of industry types instead of Finance and entertainment types ubiquitous in the 305 of Miami Dade.

Well -- D1 is their dietitian -and so got us the ability to stay there. And so on Thursday, after leaving my nephew of another brother to house sit and watch FOUR dogs, we left for the resort. Alas, poor Jonathan had a late work call, and joined us afterwards.

D2 and Jonathan and Wifey and I got rooms at the Pompano Building -- lovely but not overstated large rooms. D1 and Joey treated themselves to a 2 bedroom condo -- about 1/2 mile away by the golf carts we used to get around.

We ate. A lot. We drank. A lot. There was pool time at the gorgeous Buccaneer Island -- drinking Miami Vices -- half pina coladas and half rum runners, with 151 floaters. Even Wifey partook in the drinking! We shared many laughs. 

There's a Fisherman's Village -- a tiny re-enactment of a New England town -- with restaurants, shops, and bars. We spent a lot of time there -- breakfast all 3 days for D1, Joey, the grandson, and me. The others slept in and had our leftovers.

They have a nature center -- and the Little Man loved it -- especially Olaf, the enormous Himalayan cat who is somewhat of a mascot.

He loved being held on the golf carts, as we glided past enormous yachts and gorgeous gold courses.

And -- since school was beginning -- the first days we essentially had the place to ourselves -- and even yesterday and today, it was very empty. The ice cream shop had line holder set for 100 people -- we were the only patrons. It was delightful.

One evening, we put the Little Man to sleep, and poured drinks and had delicious food delivered. D1 lit shabbos candles on Friday -- we said the prayers. We felt the Big Man had given us so much.

This am I checked out -- and paid the bill. Wifey gasped a bit when she saw the total -- you spend a lot when everything goes on a resort card, and you can't use cash or even a credit card. 

But I just smiled. I detest stuff. I savor experiences. And these three nights and 4 days created memories to be treasured -- with pictures to show the Little Man someday of his adorable self, wearing a ball cap like his Dad Joey -- and toddling around.

I had a delightful time, and never once crashed the golf cart.

We left, and decided to stop at Alabama Jacks on the way home. It was still hot. Little Man was cranky, so his parents plucked him out of the high chair and headed to the Turnpike. He napped well. D2, Wifey, Jonathan and I had some conch salad as our farewell to the Keys lunch.

We arrived home, and though I had told Josh keeping 3 of 4 dogs alive was a 75% and therefore passing grade, indeed all 4 were fine. We caught up with him -- he's off to D.C. later in the week to visit big brother Scott.

I'm still hoping the Plague subsides. Tomorrow am, I have my third jab. If supplies were short, I would skip, but since we live among a huge tribe of dumb ass vaccine resisters, I figure many doses will just go to waste, anyway. Might as well maximize my immunity.

In the mean time -- the vacation, like the Go Gos sang, was all we ever wanted. And that's a nice way to end the Summer.

Pythons And Rain And A Lovely Family Evening

 So TS Fred missed, which meant we ended up postponing our family trip to Key Largo for nothing. That's ok -- we're on for Thursday, and hopefully a new TS leaves us alone.

Meanwhile, Friday I made my second trip to Aventura to meet Dr. Barry and his boy Josh for breakfast. We were in Paul's back yard, and invited him as well, and the 4 non diminutive men had a terrific 2 hour breakfast and philosophy session. We decided we needed to walk afterwards, and repaired to Williams Island, where Paul led us on a tour of his lovely island home -- passing yachts that looked capable of easily crossing the Pacific. It was a terrific day for all of us.

Yesterday D2 and Jonathan drove back to Aventura -- somehow that City with many synagogues and zero churches has been prominent in our schedules lately - to have a farewell visit with Jonathan's sister, brother in law, and beautiful baby niece before they head back to Riverdale.

Wifey and I headed to Casa D1 and Joey, and were treated to a delightful time with our absurdly adorable and funny grandson.

I ordered in from the Palm, and D2 and Jonathan fetched it on the way over, with D2 amazed that the cost for the 6 meals was about my weekly salary when I began work as a young lawyer. Hey -- good beef costs money!

Joey and Jonathan and I ate comically large portions of prime rib and NY Strip -- the ladies the more modest salmon -- and we enjoyed the time immensely. Joey poured fine cocktails.

They put the little man to bed, and the Ds made MUCH fun of Wifey, in a loving, sweet way. Wifey HAS become more, well, eccentric over the years, and she takes the ribbing well. She knows it comes from a place of love and knows she really DOES need to eat healthier and exercise more if she wishes to be around for the milestones to come in our family.

We left around 9, and it was a mission to get home, as the locals say. The rain poured, lightning struck, and the drive was a challenge -- but thankfully D2 and Jonathan's Jeep made it back first, followed by Wifey and me in the little girlie Lexus sedan.

As I write, Wifey is asleep upstairs, and the young roommates (D2 started a text group called "Pinecrest Roomies") are sleeping in, too.

Their enormous puppy is curled up next to me, and the little dogs are asleep in their various beds. 

It's easy, like Sunday morning ought to be.

The plague continues to surge, and I'm just hoping the predictions that the numbers will fall even quicker than they rose come to pass.

I truly hope I'll be able to get back to my beloved Canes games and their tailgates next month. The way things stand now, I'll be giving up the tickets. Hopefully we can return to the way things were in June and early July, where Covid seemed on the run.

Either way -- I'm a very blessed and lucky man in the USA. And I never forget it.

Postponed Trip

 So with Fred brewing, we decided maybe it best to put off the Full Squad trip. At best, it'd be nasty weather in Key Largo -- so why not?

I called and the friendly desk person said we were already in the cancellation period, so no changes without paying for 3 room nights. But wait, I said -- what about the coming storm? Nah -- their policy was you could reschedule for hurricane warnings and watches, but not mere tropical storms.

Really? I told her maybe extreme sports types wanted to go to a beach resort in a tropical storm, but not this sedentary guy and his family. She checked with the manager -- we're allowed to come the following week.

So I rescheduled the Friday Zoom, and have to order my meatloaf now. That's ok.

The Plague continues to be front page news -- tales that are all sounding the same -- vaxxed with breakthrough infections, who do well, and unvaxxed in the hospital or dying.

I haven't heard from my friend the unvaxxed cop in a few days. I'll check in on him later.

Instead of gearing up for a road trip -- another Thursday. Jonathan left for work -- D2 and Betsy will work in the library. Wifey is headed to see the grandson later. I'll keep busy managing investments and maybe doing a bit of phone legal work.

When my Dad was asked "What's new?," he'd often respond "Nothing -- the way I like it."

And so it is.