JuneNYsAdventuresPart2

 After mailing out the estate income tax, and making a deposit at NorthWest Bank, I went to the Dale Association to have my income  tax completed.  I waited in a large room with some other people and the preparer came in and asked me some questions and took my documentation.  About 45 minutes later, he returned and told me that I did not have to pay anything and I would not be getting a refund.  He said I really do not have to continue filing income tax and that now that I have filed for 2020 I should get my $1,400 stimulus money soon.   I had a strange phone call from a source claiming to be AMAZON, regarding a purchase made today, I think about three hundred dollars.(which did not happen).  Amazon was looking for Peg, so  I called her, and then called David (at her request).  David thinks it is a hoax.    I think he should have called Amazon and checked things out because he often orders stuff online, and I figure he must have an Amazon account.  Later in the day, I received two more

 I went to the LADIES LIFE GROUP at Freedom South this morning.  There were nine or ten of us there, and it was a good gathering with lots of good discussion.  Unfortunately, we got some bad news about fifteen minutes before the group ended.  Pastor Ben came down to tell us that Diane Fritton had passed away.  I knew her, but not really well.  At times, she was part of this Life Group and I had worked with her in the kitchen a couple of times for various events.  She had been battling cancer and complications from that for a few years.  She died peacefully and her family was able to be with her.   I realized how beautiful it was outside when I left the church, so I called Paula and asked her if she wanted to meet me at the refuge.  She said she couldn't since she had to pick her brother up from work.  He hit two deer a few weeks ago and totaled his car and has not yet purchased a new one.   I picked up lunch at BK and went home and ate.  I decided to go upstairs and start cleaning

 I went out to get a few groceries that I need for Easter dinner.  I also dropped off some food at the food box in front of  the church on East Avenue.  I never can remember the name of it.  Their food box was totally empty.  I mailed some articles about the refuge to Leslie and an anniversary card to Christa and Nik. I watched a lot of the Derek Chauvin trial on TV off and on when I was home.  I got an email from Marianne Koenig, the lawyer for Mary Anne's estate.  She said Kevin picked up the bulk of his money this morning and also that he wrote a negative review of the law office on google.  In the email, she seemed to be concerned that I might be dissatisfied with how the estate has been handled.  I emailed her and reassured her that I have not had any concerns or complaints.  I have never told her the whole story about the things Kevin has said and done like telling people that he and I are co-executers (NOT true) and taking things from Mary Anne's cottage.  I will be so h

 Church was pretty good.  I saved a seat for Myrna's granddaughter, but she did not come.  Betty told me about going to the refuge yesterday for the eagle watch but the wind had blown over the tree with the eagles nest and and eagles flew away.    On the way home, I stopped at Arby's and used my coupon for the five dollar meal deal.   I relaxed at home reading and watching tv.  Paula called and we discussed the idea of maybe going to Mt. Rushmore together sometime this year.  I called Sheila since she and I had talked about this idea, too, but she is pretty sure she does not want to go this year, maybe next year.  I called Becky and we talked for a while.  I called Leslie and suggested that she might want to come to Lockport for a few days so that she can check out the birds at the Iroquois Refuge.  She declined due to saving money for a trip to Texas and our trip to Letchworth.  I hope she changes her mind, though.  It would be good to see her and spend some time with her.  

 Peggy and David invited me to go along to the BROADWAY MARKET.   It is a public market in Buffalo that is open all year but it gets very busy in the few weeks before Easter and seems to specialize in Polish items and traditions.   I met up with them at their house at ll:15 a.m. and we headed to Buffalo.  We stopped at Freedom Church hoping to see the beginning of the second Easter Egg Hunt, but we realized we would have to wait a long time, so we decided to leave.  When we got to the market, we got a very good parking spot and only had to walk a little ways to one of the entrances.   We walked around to see what vendors were there and what items were offered, and then we found a table, which David held for us while Peg and I went to Babcia's and ordered lunch.  I ordered two sides.       The golumbki is like stuffed cabbage and is very tasty! The other times in the past when I wanted to get potato pancakes from Babcia's they were all out, so I was glad to be able to get some

 I met up with Marlene at the local AAA office and we met with Erin Roberts, a travel consultant.  We discussed two different trips to Glacier National Park, one that involves flying and the other AMTRAK.  We settled on AMTRAK, leaving from Depew on July 9th.  We each made a deposit.   I also talked with the estate lawyer and we agreed on another early distribution.   I notified the other heirs.  

 I was the first one to arrive at the Visitors Center this morning.  When I turned down Casey Road, I noticed that the sign for Casey Road was gone.  I was concerned that Cindi might be driving around looking for Casey Road, so I went back to the intersection and waited, hoping she would see me there and know where to turn.  So, she and I met up there and then drove to the VC.  A few minutes later, Betty arrived.   We decided to walk the trail that goes behind the Visitors Center. (The Headquarters Trail, which is a mile long)   I took several pictures.  We saw a lot of turtles resting on floating logs! When we returned to our cars, we decided to meet up at the red barns in front of the Kanyoo Trail.  We walked that trail, stopping to see many, many turtles who were resting on logs in the swamp.  Then we decided to check out the feeder canal trail, hoping to see some swans.  We did see a couple of white swans.  On the way out, we saw several snakes just outside the door to the small ba

 I spent about an hour this morning checking to make sure I had all of my documents ready to get my income tax done one week from today.  Everything is arranged with appropriate notes and explanations.  I then decided to call Met Life about cashing in a stock account now instead of naming beneficiaries.  It took well over a half hour (a very frustrating half hour) to finally reach someone who could help me with this, but it is accomplished and I will get a check in about ten days. I had to go to the library, so I decided to bundle that errand with others.  I went to a new can and bottle redemption place and got rid of two small bags of water bottles.  I went to the post office and mailed something important from Oxbow, regarding Carrie's second COVID vaccination.  I went to the Dollar Tree and stocked up on some items I always purchase there:  napkins, dish liquid, small kitchen trash bags, etc.    I ran into Marlene there.  Then I dropped some items off at the GOOD WILL.  Then I w

 I went to the Ladies Life Group this morning.  There was rather a small group, I think there were seven of us.  It went well.  We are studying the "names of God."  After it was over, Marlene and I stayed for a bit to discuss the idea of she and I taking a trip to Glacier National Park in July of this year.  We looked over information about two AAA trips in their magazine and decided we had too many questions about the logistics and details of the two trips offered, at this point.  So we decided to meet at the local AAA office and see if someone was free to meet with us.  The travel agent was not there but we were able to make an appointment to meet with her this coming Friday at 10:30 a.m.   As we were leaving, I asked Marlene if she wanted to go to SUBDELICIONS on 31, just a little way down the road and she said OK.  So we met there and decided what we wanted but after ten or fifteen minutes without being able to order (as usual there was only one person working, taking and

 Before I left this morning to go to Niagara Falls for my first COVID vaccination, Peggy called and left me a message (I was in the shower).  In her message she said that if the Niagara Falls experience is like the one at the University of Buffalo (where David had his two shots), then it will feel kind of  "otherworldly" or like being in the middle of George Orwell's book 1984.    I left early in order to stop at the OLD NAVY at the Fashion Outlet Mall just outside of Niagara Falls.  I purchased a pair of jeans and a long light blue sweater.  I hope it looks better on me than it does in this picture I got off of the Old Navy website.  It is really warm and comfortable.  Mostly I chose it because it will go good with blue jeans.     I have not purchased jeans in many, many years, due to getting so much free clothing at the Family Service Association before I retired and moved to Lockport.  I also applied for an OLD NAVY credit card because doing so took thirty percent off

 I got to church early and saved a seat for Myrna's granddaughter.   After church I got gas, and picked up a few groceries and some take out food. I wasted the afternoon binge watching THE DROWNING.   It is  a British four part miniseries.  It is excellent. Just as I was finishing up Betty called and wanted to take a walk, so I agreed.  I got ready and then put my snow shovels and salt away in the garage and then started walking over to her house.  We met up and then walked north towards Outwater Park.   On the way back, we ran into one of Betty's neighbors, Barb, who had her little dog, Buddy, with her. When I got home, I read a bit in THE HARBINGER.  I was not really hungry so I had a banana for my supper.  

 The phone rang at 8:10 am and woke me up.  It was Betty and she wanted to know if I wanted to meet her at the refuge for a hike.  We agreed to meet there at 11:00 a.m.  I got up and then remembered that I said I would bake corn muffins and make egg custard for supper with Peggy and David.  So, I got to work.  First making the muffins out of a cornbread mix I purchased a couple of months ago at TRADER JOE's.  Then I made the custard.  Then I realized that I would not be ready to leave at 10:30 unless I skipped taking a shower, which I felt I needed. So, I called Betty and changed the time to meet to 11:30.  Then I got the idea to call Marlene to see if she wanted to join us.  She agreed to meet Betty and I at the barns in front of the Kanyoo Trails.  I also called Peg and invited her, but she said she had to run errands.  We set five p.m. for me to join them at their house for supper.   The three of us met and had a nice long walk on the Feeder Canal Trail.  We saw lots of birds in

 I decided to go to FASHION OUTLET MALL in Niagara Falls this morning to see if I could use two gift certificates, each for $25.00, that Mary Anne gave me.  I talked to someone on OLD NAVY there, who said I would need to go to the Customer Service office and she told me how to find it.  I could not find it so I asked a woman in a jewelry store and she told me that there really is not a Customer Service Office anymore.   UGH Since I was so close to the city of Niagara Falls,  I decided to find the convention center where I will need to go on Monday for my COVID shot.  I found the center, which is huge, and I drove all around it, but did not see any signs announcing an entrance for the shot.  I finally asked a policeman who pointed it out to me.  He agreed that there SHOULD be a sign because he had been pointing the entrance out to people since early this morning.  I looked around for parking and found a few lots that involve payment, but oh well, I will just have to bite the bullet and

 Not much has happened the past few days.   Tuesday was the Ladies LIFE GROUP at Freedom South.  We started a new study on THE NAMES OF GOD.  There were ten of us present and it went very well.  Pam invited me to a St Patricks Day Tea at her apartment, but I declined.  I am not ready to go into other peoples apartments or houses (except for David and Peggy's). The tea would have been yesterday.  The day before (Tuesday, which was St. Patricks Day) I picked up a take out spaghetti dinner at SOLID ROCK church. Yesterday (Wednesday)  I stayed home all day and worked on getting my income tax stuff together, and also organizing past Citizens Bank statements into folders.   This morning I got myself up and organized early enough to go to Niagara Produce before going to FREEDOM SOUTH for Peggy's Life Group.  She and David forgot to buy cabbage for the corned beef and cabbage dinner that they are going to prepare on Saturday, so I offered to go pick one up.  While there, I picked up a

 On Saturday, I stayed home all day and puttered around and started gathering items for my income tax appointment at the end of this month.  I also continued to try to schedule an appointment for a COVID vaccination.  I went out at four p.m. and picked up a corned beef and cabbage dinner at the Emmanuel Methodist Church.  I had most of it for supper and it was very good.  I got caught up on some of the tv shows I missed while in South Carolina in the evening.  I also talked with Myrna on the phone.  She fell again (in her kitchen) and is really suffering.   On Sunday, I went to church.  Marlene and I got to talk for a bit before church and she is interested in going on a group trip to Glacier National Park in the summer of 2021.   I agreed to find out information about AAA trips. Paula called and we talked for a while.  Her brother hit a deer and totaled his car and she wants to help him get a new one.  Paula and I agreed to get together soon to go out to lunch and to Golden Hill State

 I dropped some newspapers off for Elaine.  Then I went to the Dale Association to pick up some paperwork that I need to complete before I go in to have my 2020 taxes done.  Then I went to Peg's house to drop off her printed copy of her book since David wants to read it before I read it.  I thought he was not at home because his little car was not there, so I did not stop. Then I went to the GOOD WILL, hoping to find a denim vest.  I did not find one, but I found a very nice, dressy, printed vest that fits great. It was five dollars, but had never been worn, it still had tags on it!  It will go good with black slacks and a turtleneck shirt.   Then I went to CITIZENS BANK and added beneficiaries to my three accounts there.  I am glad that is completed.  I think I have beneficiaries listed on all of my financial assets now.  I stopped at BK and used my $5 coupon for a Whopper meal deal, and brought it home and had it for lunch.  Then I started gathering stuff together for my income t

 Last year right around this time,  Carrie had completed all the pretesting, etc. in order to have her "dental surgery", but then the shutdown started and the surgery(which was not really surgery) had to be cancelled. Today was finally the day.  All of the pretesting had been completed, some of it while I was in Hilton Head.   I met up with Carrie and Rachael M. at Oxbow and we headed to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo.   Carrie was sedated (put to sleep) and her teeth were deep cleaned, and everything was checked.  NO CAVITIES or other problems were found.   It was a long, long day.  I am so glad that this has been completed.   I stopped at Reids on the way home and purchased a burger and onion rings for my lunch which I ate at home.   Later on in the day I was able to make an appointment for a first COVID vaccination BUT it is for May 17th in Buffalo.  I also got on a wait list at the Office for the Aging.  I was really tired in the evening, due to not sleeping well t

 Betty and I met up at MILLERS BULK FOOD STORE.  We each purchased lunch and then headed north to Golden Hill State Park.  We found a spot with a picnic table, right next to a yurt and had our first picnic lunch of the year.  Then we drove east a bit to the boat launch site and hiked part of the hiking and ski trail.  It was muddy and messy, and we walked until we got to a spot with kind of a steep hill going down, so we turned around.  I took several pictures:   We drove to Barker to look for a geocache but when we realized it was in a muddy woods, we decided to return when it is drier.   I missed my nap because I was on the phone so long setting up an appointment for a vaccination in Buffalo in MAY!!!  An appointment I hope to cancel in case I somehow can get one closer to home, sooner.