2 1/2 Weeks on the East Coast--Finale

Tuesday afternoon--We got word via an email from Linda Hanstra that Morgan Bolt passed away at 10 am.  Marv and Linda and Christina were with him throughout the previous night.  Linda Bolt texted me later saying he had died "peacefully and gently."  A long ordeal is over.  He left a legacy in his book Cancer Just Is which I finished this week and greatly appreciated.

Tuesday evening--Dan and Alex drove from Manhattan using the car belonging to Alex's mother.  It took longer than anticipated--although the Lincoln Tunnel approach is always a problem.  So because they knew dinner would be later, Jeff and Susan went out to get a tree.  It was fun to watch our young'uns struggle with a big tree now that we have gone to table tops--and sadly, this year, maybe none at all.

We had a great family dinner with eight of us around the table.  It was good to have the Princeton VKs meet Alex and Alex meet them!  We all left around 10--Jim and I with a ten minute commute; Dan and Alex with at least an hour--but traffic was minimal at that time.

Wednesday--we met a realtor at 24 Mountain Avenue, just off SR 206 and right across from the park where Laura and Michael had their wedding reception.  As we drove there, I told Jim it would be easier if we did not like the townhouse we were seeing.  But...we did.  It had lots of space with big rooms, an attached garage, and a basement.  It was light and airy and newly painted.  The problems?  possibly 206 traffic noise and steps and more steps as it was a three story townhouse.  We wouldn't have to downsize so drastically and Jim could have a study designated just for his work.

At 3:30 we left for the 5 pm pageant rehearsal at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church--an hour's drive plus a stop for gas.  We arrived at the church after 5:15!  The traffic was terrible and the bright sun was low and right in our eyes.  But all was worth it when we saw R and J and heard S read his passage from the Christmas story ending with "Mary treasured all these things and  pondered them in her heart."  We joined G,  the nanny, who had made soup and salad and grilled cheese sandwiches.  The ride home took an hour or less.

Thursday--a very quiet day.  We didn't see any of the family.  We made a Target and CVS trip, walked along the Delaware-Raritan Canal in Kingston, and ordered take-out from Ruby Tuesday.

Friday--Jeff and Susan met us at 24 Mountain Avenue to check out the townhouse.  At 1 pm we left for Gladwyne and by 4:30 everyone was gathered together for munching, singing Christmas carols, opening gifts, and eating tenderloin and ham and Susan's wonderful biscuits.  A could not get settled down afterwards--too much excitement and chocolate probably.

Saturday--J and A joined us in our bed before 7 am.  We were on the road by 8 and were close to home by 7 pm.  It was an easy ride.  We stopped at Whole Foods where we were still able to get our little table top tree and a few good things for breakfast.

The two weeks gave us so many good memories and it was so good to be near our children and grandchildren.  Jim said he had a better feeling about moving to Princeton and we both have an idea of what is available for rent.  The action plan now is to continue to get rid of stuff and to talk to a realtor in late January.  We decided the Mountain Avenue townhouse was not right for us and we were not prepared to sign a lease for February 1. For now, we are glad to be home again.