As I mentioned, Dan and I went to Atlantic City on Saturday. It wasn't the best day for boardwalk strolling, given the rain buffeted by strong winds that followed us from Long Island to Jersey.

We had promised to take a time share tour of a new hotel, the Flagship. We were promised two free plane tickets for doing so, and since the hotel was supposedly a short three block walk from the casino where our bus dropped us off, we figured what the heck and agreed.

If you have ever been to Atlantic City, you know there are guys who will ride you around in non-motorized conveyances called jitneys. You sit inside and they push you. On bright, sunny days, this is fun and they tend to be busy. On monsoon-like days, however, they stand around pretty much begging for fares, cutting their usual prices in half to encourage riders. Our prospective driver agreed to push us to the Flagship for $10, which he said was a mere three blocks away. He helped Dan and I into the flimsy-looking jitney, zipped us out of the rain and began to push. As we rode on, I started handing Dan tip money--a dollar, two dollars. The rain whipped the poor guy out there as the icy wind wormed its way in and curled its way around us. Dan had a cold and I was concerned about him as he coughed beside me. I could hear the guy behind us trying to catch his own breath as he tried valiantly to keep us steady. Dan and I together weigh over 300 pounds (I will not admit to one ounce more!) and the wind was really doing a number on the jitney. A couple of times, it sounded as if the entire wooden conveyance was going to fall to pieces, a scary sound indeed.

Feeling my guilt rising, I kept handing Dan more dollar bills, too, wishing we had never agreed to let the poor man pushing us to take us on as a fare. These "three blocks" were apparently city blocks, and the long ones, not the short ones. By the time we finally arrived at our destination, I was holding 15 dollars, feeling like I had tortured the poor man by forcing him to haul us two fatties across the length of Asia. He unzipped the side of the jitney and helped us out. The very brief walk from there to the front door of the hotel, during which we were lashed with wind and rain that threatened to hurtle us right back into the jitney, made me feel even worse for our poor pusher, who was already trudging back--with the wind this time--toward the casino.

Dan and I, grateful to be dry and warm, filled out applications, then sat down in a pleasant room filled with offerings of hot coffee, cold soda, muffins and cheese. A single man was whisked away by a salesman for his tour; a couple disappeared in a similar fashion. Dan and I waited, but no one came for us.

After half an hour, we were called back into the office where we had filled out the original paperwork. "We have no salespeople to take you around," said the girl behind the desk. "Here's your airline vouchers, freebie brunches at the Sands, and a couple of other gifts. Thank you for coming--sorry about the wait."

So, we were done--without having to go through the tour. Although, actually, I was kind of looking forward to it, and hoping the weather might improve enough so we could walk back to the casino on the return trip.

However, since the weather hadn't improved in the brief time we were waiting, we took a different kind of jitney home--a little bus that travels the streets of Atlantic City and for two dollars takes you wherever you need to go. Too bad we hadn't thought of those before making that poor man heft our big butts down the boardwalk in the hurricane-like conditions. Believe it or not, we didn't find him waiting to take us back on the return trip!

Still, it wasn't a bad deal--two free airline tickets to just about anywhere (as long as we stay in and pay for one of their hotels). The girl pointed out that the two freebie meals at the Sands SAY they're expired, but if we have any trouble cashing them in, just call the number on the bottom of the voucher.

I suspect we're going to have trouble, don't you?





Love, Robin

I hurried through my final tasks with the poochies and kitties on Friday, not just because I was anxious to get home to Bugsy and Snapple, but because I wanted to avoid as much traffic as possible. I filled all the water dishes, fed Sophie and Vivi, gave the bathroom a once-over and dragged my suitcase into the car. I'm sure all five of Nancy and Chris' pets were eagerly awaiting the return of their real owners!

Once back home, of course there was the usual chaos--newspapers everywhere, the house a total mess. I once cleaned up my home in anticipation of a local reporter coming to interview me when RACHEL'S STAR OF DAVID was about to be published, and it looked fantastic. But it didn't stay that way, and Dan and Brad show no inclination to help me stay that way, so it pretty much remains a mess all the time. I just don't have the energy, and my back hurts too much to do it all myself. The house is clean, but there are always THINGS strewn around. It would help if we had more room, but our living room and kitchen are so tiny, with very few hiding places. I loved living in Nancy's far larger space, with so much spreading-out space. There was a lot there, sure, but it just looked a lot less cluttered, you know, because of all the room?

So, back home with my loved ones, who, frankly, didn't call me nearly enough. It seemed to me I missed them far more than they missed me, although I confess, I DID enjoy those two afternoons when I just returned to Nancy's, laid down on the bed and fell sound asleep, not having to worry about making dinner for anyone but ME! I knew Dan and Brad would fend well enough for themselves, between eating out and bringing in food. Brad brought in All American Burger one night, which is delicious junk food I wish I could have shared. Dan took Mike to Sidekicks for two-fer night, and he loved it. Who wouldn't? The price is right and the food excellent.

I ate sparingly at Nancy's, chicken breasts, veggies, a little ice cream one night when I craved something sweet. And of course, Chris' delicious kufka (sp.?), which I brought to work in double hunks. Very good!

Let me tell you, Bugsy and Snapple surrounded me when I got home, leaping all over me, trying to reach up to me, barking wildly. I hugged them and held them, calling their names over and over. We went outside and they did their business. The weather had been iffy all day, but it was nice enough that Bugsy went outside willingly. I sat down and watched some of my DVR shows, which had piled up while I was at Nancy's. Brad, on the computer in the back bedroom, came out to give me a hug, but mine was more forceful than his. Hey, he's a man now, right? I've got to keep remembering that! He brought me up to date on everything (nothing new on the job teaching front).

Sharon had asked me to go out with her Friday night, but I realized how badly I wanted to stay home with my family, so when she called to ask if we were still "on," I begged off. She understood, at least I hope so.

I made meat sauce and spaghetti for Dan and me, and a burger for Brad. He left for bowling. Dan came home exhausted. He caught a cold and was his usual whiny self (you know, "I've got a cold. . .I've got a cold. . ." like he's the first and last man ever to have one).

It was just good to be home in my own bed with my two little dogs. Sophie and Vivi and OK, but I love my little Snaps and Bugsy!

We went to Atlantic City on Saturday, a chilly, rainy, disgusting day. Will tell you about that later--but just in case you're wondering, no, we did NOT win! We never do!

It snowed yesterday, which is unacceptable spring weather as far as I'm concerned. I know, we've had snowstorms in April before, but it is officially spring and it is NOT SUPPOSED TO SNOW IN SPRING! That is all I have to say about that!!!!

Nancy reported that it hailed in Arizona yesterday. Something odd is going on with the weather all over this planet. Let's hope we don't have a disastrous repeat of destructive hurricanes like last year. It makes me uneasily wonder if God isn't getting ready to destroy and repopulate the planet, like with Noah and the ark in the bible. I'm too old to be one of the pair chosen to have children, and Dan doesn't have the flowing hair and beard of Noah, so you KNOW I'm gonna be amongst the drowners, damn it!

Brad is going to be interviewed by the Superintendent either tomorrow or sometime next week. If it's true that another kid already signed a contract for the only available job, I don't know why they're bothering, but he seemed very pleased about it. We'll see. It might all be window dressing, raising my son's hopes for something that doesn't even exist.

I only have one more night to go in Chez Buszka (spelling?) Then I return home to my own family and pooches. I really miss them all, but I can't say they've been exactly overwhelming me with phone calls. Brad stopped to pick up dinner for the two of them last night at All American Burger (yummers!), then he was going to a game at Madison Square Garden with some friends. I called and left my son my usual peppy message this morning, but wasn't able to reach Dan on his cell phone today. I don't know if he forgot it or what.

I took a two hour nap when I arrived at Nancy's yesterday afternoon, after letting out the dogs and such. I woke up feeling so much better! I made myself some dinner, then spent the rest of the evening watching TV I REALLY wanted to watch. And I did NOT watch AMERICAN IDOL until the very end when a surprise contestant (Mandisa) was eliminated.

One of the dogs and one of the cats joined me as I slept, and I slept very well indeed. I had no trouble getting to work this morning, although I did get caught again at the end of the driveway, where it suddenly narrows. By tomorrow, my very last day, I'll probably do it perfectly!

Oh, Sophia, the big black lab, stole my dirty socks and pulled one of my gloves right out of my jacket pocket. Nancy says that's her way of keeping little pieces of me to remember, since she knows I'm going to be leaving. I think it's sweet, if a tad annoying.

It's been an interesting several days. Tonight, I want to take a bath, do a small load of laundry, make myself some frozen pizza, and enjoy spending my last few hours with Sophie, Vivi, Thelma, Louise and Phil. Well, actually, tomorrow afternoon will be my last few hours, and I'll leave Nancy and Chris' house and stop off in Levittown on my way home to pick up a bag of Freecycle clothing I hope will fit Dan. Whatever doesn't, we'll donate.

Ah, soon the work afternoon will be over and I'll be heading north instead of south--to a much bigger, neater house than mine!

Love, Robin

I had to attend class at work today. We got this fancy new machine at work, a combo fax, copy, scanner, so nine of us got together in an airless, windowless room to learn how to use it. Problem is, I got little sleep last night at Nancy's house. Strange bed, strange home, snoring dogs and cats--how could I get a decent night's sleep? Plus, I kept fretting about getting as lost as I did the other day when I left Nancy's house and not getting to work for an hour! So I found myself very close to falling asleep in the class, actually snapping my head back on one or two occasions! I think I'm going to take a sweet nap when I return to Nancy's house this afternoon, once I've let out the dogs and made sure all the food and water dishes are full and the litter box is empty of poop.

I raced around this morning, letting the dogs out (who?--me!) making sure all the dogs' and cats' water and food bowls were filled, skimming the poop out of the cat bathroom. I made myself a crappy cup of coffee but couldn't find any Equal or Sweet 'n' Low in the cupboards. I finally managed to locate one packet in my pocketbook to sweeten my too-weak cup of coffee. I left the house at 5:55, just in case I got lost again, but fortunately, that didn't happen. It helped that I'd printed out reverse directions and kept on the light in my car so I could read them in the dark.

NOTE: It was cold and nasty today, and it's snowing now. Hasn't anyone told those who should know that it's APRIL and not supposed to be snowing, damn it?

Brad got another turndown on a teaching job yesterday--Oceanside. He thought that interview went so well, too. Dan was so sure our son was going to get many job offers. Suppose he doesn't get even one? I don't want to even think about that.

Nancy called four times yesterday and once today. I assured her that everything was fine at home and her angels are OK. I hope that's still true and I remembered everything I was supposed to do this morning! She and Chris found out that property out in Arizona, once so reasonable, has skyrocketed in the past few years, thanks to the popularity of the area. So they might not seek to move there after all. She didn't sound terribly happy. The trip yesterday wasn't great, either; Chris blamed her for the too-long plane trip, it seems.

Dan had trouble with Bugsy this morning; he bit him three times on the foot and gave him a hard time being walked on the leash in the rain. We've had problems with Bugsy walking in the rain lately, resulting in his pissing all over the house. So we have to force him to walk, rain or not. We can't allow him to urinate in our house!

Love, Robin

Remember PAY IT FORWARD, the movie starring the boy from SIXTH SENSE? He plays a sweet kid who urges everyone to do good deeds, and for his pain ends up getting knifed to death?

Aside from the depressing ending, the concept appealed to me. Do three good deeds and urge those three people to do three good deeds of their own. It spreads out and out in circles of joy, and everyone is happy--except poor what's his name, who is a symbol of a martyr with whom the good deeds stop.

At work, I befriended a gal named Nancy who's originally from Buffalo and hates Long Island. It's too expensive here, the people aren't nice, the drivers are nuts--hey, it's a litany we all understand but merely accept.

I suspect, sometimes, listening to Nancy's many tales of woe, that she and I are twins separated at birth. Never mind that she's tall and lanky, with small boobs, long legs and a skinny waist while I'm shorter, much plumper, with fat legs and biiiig hooters, we both have the worst luck, especially when it comes to trusting the wrong people.

There's one way in which we are especially similar--an abiding love of animals. She and her husband have three cats and two dogs. Nancy is, perhaps, the only one who comprehends why we haven't returned Bugsy via cannon to Last Hope after all the biting incidents. She understands why we still love him and want to keep him.

Nancy and her husband, Chris, have taken only four vacations in the almost nine years since they've been married, and one was their honeymoon. So when stress was becoming overwhelming, they planned a trip to Arizona, a state they not only love, but hope to settle in someday.

In the past, they have flown a woman to and from Buffalo (at their expense) to stay in their home with their pets, paid her handsomely, and provided her with plenty of her favorite foods--basically a lovely, all expense-paid vacation! They had made arrangements for her to stay on this occasion, but mere days before the start of the vacation, she called, picked a fight, and informed them she wasn't going to be coming down.

Nancy came to work in tears, declaring that she was going to have to cancel the vacation. Hearing her latest tale of woe, I realized she was probably going to be losing the airfare to and from Buffalo--and perhaps the airfare for two tickets to Arizona as well. She and Chris were so stressed and needed to get away so badly!

I consulted with Dan and asked him if he and Brad would be able to fend for themselves and take care of Snaps and Bugsy if I stepped in and volunteered to take care of Nancy's pets. When I explained what had happened, he was eager to pitch in and help. I told Nancy I was doing this as a friend and wouldn't accept any money.

This wasn't completely altruistic, either; I hoped that "paying it forward" would help ease the constant waterworks that have been plaguing me lately, give me something other than my selfish self to focus on.

So, here I am. Nancy and Chris flew out to Arizona this morning. I left work and drove here instead of home. Dan will let Snaps and Bugsy out when he gets home while I take care of Sophie and Vivi, the dogs, and Thelma, Louise, and Phil, the cats. I stopped here yesterday to receive my instructions--who gets pills, where all the waterbowls are, who gets diet food, who gets regular. There are pet beds everywhere, and the house is lovely, very pet-friendly. Believe me, when I die and return as a lower life form, I want to live with Nancy and Chris!

On another front, as you know, we've been waiting, and hoping, that my son would win a math teacher's job at the school, where he's been busting his ass interning for the past semester, but if what my son heard last night from a fellow intern, Don, last night, HE has already signed a contract for the job my son was hoping to win. My son isn't sure if it's true or not, but if so, it means all his hard work has been for nothing, because this Don only got it because a relative is a principal and doesn't deserve it because of merit or hard work, and my son has been screwed.

Then again, nothing has been officially announced, and this Don really should have been told to keep his mouth shut, because my son did a spectacular demo yesterday and still hasn't even been interviewed by the Superintendent (but Dan already was, last week). It seems as if some political hanky-panky has gone on, and if so, this really shouldn't be allowed to stand without a fight. We'll have to see how it all plays out, I guess, but I have never seen my son as despondent as he was when he came home last night. Don was gloating over getting the job over the other four interns, all of whom deserved it more. What's also weird is that there were supposed to be TWO jobs, now there's only one--and one leave replacement. My son doesn't want that one, but it could lead to a permanent job, which happened to someone I know, so perhaps he shouldn't turn up his nose at it, huh?

I'm here until Friday, and I still haven't seen one of the three cats, Phil. I hope he's here, and I haven't accidentally allowed him to escape somehow.

Pay it forward yourself, OK? It feels pretty good. Oh, and by the way, Nancy and Chris gave me $100 for my husband and son to eat dinners out. They must have heard, Jewish men like to make reservations for dinner, too, LOL!

Love, Robin