This weekend was pretty productive for me. Some minor errands like organizing and cleaning my place took a back seat, but I have all week to handle that before my family visits me this coming Memorial Day Weekend. My adventures took me to some spots I haven't been in awhile, along with some new places too. Overall I managed to have many wonderful experiences and memories with terrific friends. Friday night I went to see besties Jasen and Brendan at their RV Camper in Sussex just past Green Valley Farms, (where I'll be doing my Facebook Live preview video this Saturday morning.) It was so much fun getting to see them, besties Carrie, Christine and Emily. We had a just what the doctor ordered fun, chill firepit night. Firepits are something I honestly took for granted before moving here to Jersey 11 years ago. I love where I live on Campus in Vernon, but firepits just aren't allowed for safety reasons which is totally understandable given shared dwelling situations and laws. That's why per state law I just got my 2nd electric grill, instead of a propane gas or charcoal grill. I have to keep my grill street legal! I had such a wonderful time with my friends, this put me a little behind schedule with the Celtics vs. New York Knicks Game 6 Playoff Game. I wasn't too concerned, since the previous 5 games weren't decided until the second half anyway. I figured, no big deal. I had a fun summer night drive home in my Jeep Compass with windows down and sunroof open. The weather was terrific after that midday rain burst we received. After my drive home, I started to get settled in my living room eagerly anticipating the second half to start. Boy, was I wrong! Without our Celtics star player Jayson Tatum, I wasn't necessarily expecting us to go much further in the playoffs anyway. I have been telling my friends for quite some time, we can play with anybody and have an honestly decent chance, but health is number one. If we aren't healthy, which can be said for most other teams too, you just never know. The Celtics were down by over 30 points to start the second half. It never became any prettier at all after that either. At least a blowout loss hurts less than a close last second loss I will say. Yes, I try to take silver linings whenever possible. This is all while wishing Jayson Tatum and my Celtics a speedy recovery.
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Saturday morning I was able to meet up with besties Artie, Margie, George, Roy and Kathy for breakfast. Even if food/service can be challenged at some places sometimes, the company is our main reason for meeting up together. I then went straight from there to Acme, Starbucks in Vernon to get my Treinta shaken iced green tea before some more errands and adventures. I called Madre to say hi. I told her how my travels were taking me to Middletown, New York to get a new battery for my watch. Madre questioned me and I jokingly responded with "gee Madre, I don't know if we have ever discussed this before...I live in Vernon, New Jersey up on the mountain where nothing is close to me!" We both cracked up. I know there are other closer options I could have found to get a new watch battery. I just figured that in Middletown there are so many fun options always nearby and I haven't been there in a little while. I went to the Middletown Galleria Mall. First I tried Zales. They said my watch would have to be sent out and then maybe come back in three weeks. I had no interest in that. Then I went to their bottom main floor where that was a watch guy stand that would change watch batteries. He even had it on his sign! Perfect. Unfortunately, he's nowhere to be found. The sign said "we'll be back when," was basically blank. I did another lap around the Middletown Galleria Mall. I went and got an impromptu quick massage. It didn't necessarily help me too much, but once my neck cracked a couple of times on its own later I knew there was at least something slightly beneficial to it. Then, the watch guy returned. I was able to hand him my watch and he told me "okay, come back in 10 minutes." Great! I came back in 12 minutes and he was AWOL again! Fortunately he eventually came back. Basically it took a solid hour to 90 minutes longer than I expected this basic watch battery change to take me. All good.
Saturday afternoon besties Artie, Roy, George, Mayor Paul and Mary all invited me to join them at The Claremont Distillery on 94 in Vernon. Those drinks were fantastic! Success. We had a great time. They're only open weekends for now, but there is definitely a bright future ahead for them. Artie then talked me into joining him at The Irish Cottage Inn to watch The Preakness. We had a great time. I got some minor small action on the horse Journalism, and he won! This made the race even more enjoyable to watch! Success!
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Sunday I went and saw another one of my besties in Hackettstown. She told me her weekend plans of mulching, and I jumped at the chance. Some landscaping activities I actually like, believe it or not. Weeding out poison ivy the day before wouldn't have excited me. Mulching and dumping bag after bag out on it though? Loved it! She said I was like a kid on Christmas opening up bag after bag and dumping the mulch out onto the surface. We then picked up her new grill and broke it in. We grilled garlic shrimp and then a couple of burgers. I did okay knocking off my grill rust! Yes, their grills can be propane gas but mine has to be electric. I was able to adapt okay though! Our burgers definitely came out medium rare which made me happy! Success.
We ended up mulching using 17 bags, each one 2 cubic squared feet, so 34 cubic squared feet total! I think there might be an early bedtime in my future tonight.
Time to start planning next weekend when my family visits! #WhatCanPossiblyGoWrong?