2 1/2 Weeks on the East Coast--Week Two

Tuesday evening we had a very pleasant dinner at Ruth's Chris at the Westin Forrestal Village.  The menu was just the same as our own Ruth's Chris in Granger and I ordered my usual petite filet and it was terrific.  It was our Christmas gift for a festively dressed Jeff and Susan.  Michael was at a long jazz band rehearsal so he was otherwise occupied.

Wednesday we visited the Princeton Library where I  love browsing the book sale.  And, as always, I left with three volumes for $6.  We stopped at McCaffreys Grocery where we now have our own phone number account.  We belong!  Around 4 pm we checked out the addresses of four townhomes that were listed for rent--all between Canal Pointe Road and Mercer Street.  That was enlightening as we encountered terrible traffic already that early in the afternoon amidst miles of condos and apartments.  It had no appeal for us.

We spoke honestly about our preferences that evening.  Jim said he was tired of being a home owner, would like to sell our house and move into an apartment in South Bend.  He feels downsizing now would make it easier to move to Princeton later.  I disagreed saying that if we stayed in South Bend, I would want to stay in our home and just move once.

Thursday we managed finally to get to Trader Joe's which is very visible from Route 1 but not easy to access.  We bought my favorite chocolate truffle bars, some wine, and a few other sundries.  We also went to Nordstrom's Rack where I found a larger purse to accommodate my many pairs of glasses!

We walked at Mapleton Preserve which turned out to be the remains of a large nursery operation with a derelict greenhouse and storage facilities.  We joined Jeff and Susan for a roast chicken supper.  Katie was home and was still finishing one paper to be handed in on Friday.
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Friday was our day for NYC.  It is rarely easy to get into the city and sadly I don't feel the adrenaline rush I used to get when I stepped out of Penn Station onto 7th Avenue.  It took an Uber ride, NJ Transit, a walk to Herald Square, a ride on the crowded Q subway, and another walk to get to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where we met the Bolts, one by one, as they kept vigil by the bedside of their dying son Morgan.  We were able to deliver hugs and love from so many back in South Bend.

We summoned another Uber ride (after failing to hail a taxi) and rode through crowded streets to the Met Museum where we met Alex and Dan.  I bought Alex a Met membership as our Christmas gift--and my commitment to her relationship with Dan who can be her guest!  We admired the Christmas tree and then toured the Dutch masters exhibit which was pretty awesome with its Vermeers, Rembrandts, Hals, and other lesser known painters.

A rainy 20 minute walk brought us to Uskudar Turkish Restaurant where Alex ordered the Meze platter for an appetizer and the Mixed Grill for our entree.  Dan chose a great Turkish wine and it was their treat.  There was plenty to share and it was a good adventure in eating for me.

It was the Q train and NJ Transit again with no wait at all at Penn Station, and then a taxi back to Homewood Suites at midnight.

Saturday--a quiet day was what we needed.  Susan and I made banket using almond paste ordered from VanderVeen's Dutch Store in Grand Rapids.  We headed back "home" for a few hours and watched Notre Dame beat Purdue in basketball and then joined Jeff for pizza and more football.  The rest of the family went to a Pentatonix concert in Philly.

Sunday--We parked on Nassau Street--free on Sundays until 1 pm--and walked to Nassau Presbyterian Church.  We joined the Moorheads in their pew for a good service.  The end of the sermon left me in tears however as the final words were "Come, Lord Jesus, Come quickly" and I knew that was the prayer we needed to pray for Morgan.

Later in the afternoon we drove through heavy rain and wet pavement to Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church where Laura sang with the Sanctuary Choir and the Chamber Choir.  The program was lovely but rather long.  I admired the kids for patiently sitting through it.

 It was back to Laura's for cookie cutting with dough made the day before.  All four kids participated so it was worth the effort!   Michael had some very large and delicious shrimp to snack on and then we had tenderloin and cauliflower and brussel sprouts for dinner.  The ride back was much easier and we were back at the hotel by 9:30.

Monday--Susan took us on a road trip to see several lovely villages along the Delaware River with the idea that we could re-locate between Princeton and Gladwyne.  The ride was lovely and the villages quaint and historic,  but that is probably not right for us.   We enjoyed lunch at an "historic" Princeton eatery, PJ's Pancake House, with Katie and Susan.

 At 5 pm Susan skillfully drove the van to Philly for Michael's Prep-Jazz Orchestra concert at Chris' Jazz Cafe--right in the middle of downtown.  The traffic was terrible   The parking lot was full.  We had interesting meals as we waited for the show to begin.  What fun to see Michael on his trombone making great music!  The ride home (Jeff's turn) was far easier.

Tuesday--our second week is over.  I shopped with Katie at Old Navy for her Christmas present so when she opens in a few days, she can exclaim, "Grandma, how did you know what I wanted?" I drove for the first time in NJ traffic.

At this point we do not have clarification or agreement as to what we should do about moving.  We have eliminated some options. We have appreciated how great it is to be near the kids and grandkids.  But we also appreciate much of our life in South Bend.