Hasta luego, Erie

More holiday cards written, ready to be sent - a few are past where they can be sent but I want to send greetings to friends and do NOT wish to haul (many) cards back to NYC. Got a lovely but heavy gift from my nephew and his wife. (They didn't think to consider weight.) [9:00 AM]

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We drove out to Chris's Aunt Shirley's car dealership where he washed Aunt Betty's car . We gave them a plate of Aunt Betty's great cookies and talked to his friend and colleague David. We then dropped off the last of the Christmas-come-New Year's cards then I went out to lunch with high school friend Donna Luciano at the Corner Stone on East 38th Street. We were waited on by a pleasant and attentive Martha. While we talked and caught up, Aunt Betty went home to her soaps. Picking us up after our lunch of fish and chips or in my case fish and mashed, Aunt Betty drove us down to the transportation intermodal center in northern Erie, not far from the Erie Dock. I had already called Discover and learned that while I hadn't received the confirmation, the charge for my Greyhound bus ticked had indeed gone through and the center's ticket attendant confirmed that Greyhound had my ticket recorded as well. He was kind enough to give me my bag tag so we can return about a half an hour before and wait for the bus.

Before dropping Donna home we also traveled over to the Peninsula a/k/a Presque Isle State Park. We drove a bit into the park, and Donna and I got out briefly to check out the snow dunes. I took several photos and then we took Donna home and I returned to Aunt Betty's home to pack. A bit of a struggle but I think it will do. I am leaving an old pair of shoes with some life in them but toss-able and a pretty Thomas Kinkade winter scene mug that didn't safely fit. Perhaps the next trip.

I'm not hungry. Just relaxing now until time to leave for the bus. Hope more snow cleanup has been done in my Queens neighborhood. I can hope. Hope I fit on the bus arriving from Cleveland and on the connecting bus leaving Buffalo. Could be an adventure. Wonder, too, if there will be Amish this trip. I should know in a few hours. (Peace hugs :)

Snowbound Sort of

Viewing the NYC blizzard from Aunt Betty Murphy's living room. The Queen's story of crappy cleanup evident on Facebook isn't being on corporate TV. It is all Manhattan. (It usually is all Manhattan.) Still someone in Chelsea pipes up about delayed service on the lower Westside of Manhattan. Non-tourist areas suffer.

Here in Erie I wonder when I can safely make it home to the Big Apple and my kittehs. Glad they have a good cat sitter.

Yesterday left Cleveland with Pat and Aunt Betty. Erie has only about an inch of snow -- what a difference. We set up the flat screen TV Pat and Beth had gotten for her before Pat returned home to the wilds of Ohio. Cousin Barbara and her husband John drove in Uncle John to see us this evening. Pleasant family visit complete with some of Aunt Betty's great Christmas cookies.

Neighbors are not generous in sharing their computer access this visit. Feel like I am living in an age of non-internet neutrality. ARGH. Much to write about/upload but cannot attempt much. More thoughts/pix will be saved for later upload. And there are those late Christmas/now New Years cards to write -- don't want to forget friends for long. Am sitting in Aunt Betty's kitchen wondering if I can even upload this. Better save it first to Text Edit. (Peace hugs, friends!)

Into the Midwest

I've arrived and am sitting in front of Michael Dylan and Gina's tree, far from the Big Apple. Relaxing. But with things to do. We're having a less stressful budget conscious Christmas. Or trying to. Spend time with people rather than spend money because of societal dictates. Certain gifts, yes. And house offerings as needed. And things we find -- like a Left Right Center game for Krista and Jon who drove me to Ohio yesterday -- and stuff for my kitties -- but my grandcats already have usurped a little of it. (Tito and Lola are family, too :) I like to be generous but I need to be sensible. I would rather buy things for people I love as I find them -- not at the demand of a calendar. And stuff for people who need stuff, certain stuff. Oh stuff it. Enuf (for now). Time for family and hugs. (Including peace hugs :)