Thursday July 4 & Friday July 5

*Before I begin, I digress that this is very late! There was a ton of things to do when I came home.*

7.4.13.

It was nice to sleep in until 11:30 am this morning. I watched Buffy before getting out of bed and having half of a bagel. I came upstairs and watched The Fosters while packing. 

We had sushi and pretzels and portwine cheese for lunch. After lunch we went to Animal Outreach. I thought we would be the only ones there since it was the holiday - but everyone was hanging out! Charlotte, Eileen, Shelley, Ellen. I got to cuddle with every kitty one last time. Especially Martha, Cricket, Kali, Rachel & Michael. I also fed everyone! I will miss volunteering there, the wonderful volunteers and awesome cats.

We left and dad dropped me and mom off at the mall. At A Place On Earth I got cool Cape May bath salt to give myself pedicures, and a watermelon soap. I left my lotion at Bathtime  because they hadn't put enough scent in it. We got lemonades and dad picked us up. We changed, put the cookies I baked on a plate and went to Barbara's party. Everything was set up so cute! We met the neighbors around the corner from us. We had hor d'oeuves, kielbasa  sausages and salads and pies for dessert. We left and Mike and I went over to the Keenans. Then we all (Keenans and Shubins) walked down to the Jefferson Street Beach and boy it was crowded! We sat for a while and then there were fireworks. We walked home and I got talk to Mary.

Tomorrow we will pack up and be out of the house at 5 pm. Where did my six weeks go???

7.5.13.
Last night I took the sheets off my bed and put blankets down, so mom wouldn't have to pull the sheets out from under me and wake me up early. I slept until about 11. I had cereal and started to pack things up. We had Cappy's for lunch and it was the last cheesesteak of the summer!

At some point while packing, Jenn came! We had a quick visit and she helped me pack up my car. Around 3 pm or so, the Keenans were home and Mike and I went over to take porch pictures. Jim, Mary, Steve, Shane, Beth and me and Michael. Teresa took them and also one of just me and Mary. We said goodbye and went back to packing.

With the Keenans!

We said goodbye to Jenn and left the house at a bit before 5. We stopped at the Depot Market to buy Italian subs. I drove my car following the parents until we detoured into the Animal Outreach parking lot. I thought we were going to get Martha! LOL! We stopped because Michael had to be in my car for the ferry ticket reservation, so he hopped in.

We went into the ferry terminal and used the bathroom and poked in the gift shop. We sat outside until we returned to the cars. I drove onto the ferry for the first time! Almost had an RV hit me on the boat. We sat outside until we returned to the cars.

With Mary

We ate inside the crammed seats. It was stuffy inside the ferry so we moved outside. Saw a few dolphins. Read my book, The Almost Truth, by Eileen Cook. I drove in my car, with dad (but me driving) for 40 minutes until we stopped at Royal Farms to pee and buy windex to get the bugs off my windshield. Pumped gas for mom and got back on the road with dad driving this time. We stopped at McDonald's to pee and get milkshakes (yucky).

We drove the rest of the way home and stopped in Safeway for food. We got home about 11 pm and brought a few things in. Great to see Brooke, Vicki and Piper. We will get Henry and Pearl from Teri's tomorrow. I uploaded the Keenan front porch pictures, so cute.

Next time in Cape May will be October (hopefully) and definitely December!

xo,
capemaychick

Jersey Tomatoes Are the Best

I woke up ready to go this morning since it was the last day of my internship. I came in and finalized one of my articles. I organized more photos and left at 12:15 pm when the rain let up to get some video for the website. mom and dad picked me up and we went to Hot Dog Tommy's. I had a slaw dog and we shared a potato tornado and sauerkraut cup and frozen root beer. We ate on the porch.

I went down to the arcade/beach to take videos. After, I went back to the office to turn in the camera. I said goodbye to my coworkers and was invited to intern again next summer!

I came home and sat on the porch. I had a postcard from my friend Mallory - from Guam! And my grandma. I spent a long while making two batches of cookies for the 4th of July party we are going to tomorrow.

Mom and I went to the beach. She stayed for a little bit and then left. I stayed until 8:10 pm reading my book - Jersey Tomatoes Are The Best, which I finished! It was pretty decent. I enjoyed it :)

I had dinner, shower and watched Buffy. I had a piece of brownie for dessert and relaxed on the porch. I cannot BELIEVE that tomorrow is our last day. How has six weeks gone by so fast?

xo,
capemaychick

No Secrets in Small Towns/Cape May

The title of this post was really meant for yesterday :)

I woke up this morning to screaming seagulls, that's new. It might have just been me, but they seem to be very vocal this summer.

I got dressed, groggily ate breakfast and left for work. I was set up to transfer and organize pictures.

I had lunch at Pano - a gyro and spinach salad, yum. I read my book and then went back to work. I kept working on the photos until about 2:30 pm when the server said it was full! I looked at some pictures for another article I'm writing, and then I got to leave at 3:15 pm.

Mom met me on the mall and we shopped for about two hours. I saw a few more things I want to buy before I leave. We had lemonades and sat in the rocking chairs at Congress Hall. We came home and sat on the porch for a bit.

We went to the Farmer's Market and we had beef and spinach artichoke empanadas, yum. We bought cucumbers and spoke to our friends Tina and Don.

We picked up fish tacos, chips and guac and rice/beans from Big Wave Burrito for dinner. We ate on the porch. We cleaned up and then Mary and her mom, cousin and uncle came over. We gave them the tour of our house and chatted with them for a while.

We had dessert and I came up showered, watched Catfish, did some blog updating and off to bed!

Time is going too fast! I used to think two weeks was short for my vacation, now I don't even think 6 weeks is long enough!!

xo,
capemaychick

Busy Day at my Internship

Apparently I was on "I refuse to get up before 9" kick because instead of setting my alarms in the 8 o'clock hour, they were all in the 9 o'clock hour. So mom woke me up at 8:30 am and I had to speed rush like a mad woman. Mom didn't even get coffee before we left, that's how late we were.

I went to go in to the building at 9 am and the door was locked! I called and no one answered. My boss showed up and it turned out someone had been in but had to run out for an errand. So I got right to work on my article. My Parading in the Fourth and July Happenings articles are up! In addition to my Saltwater Cafe article, ArtBox article and the Designer Show House article I wrote this morning. And no, none of them have my byline, but I really did write them.

I took a lunch break and had sesame noodles and strawberry & banana smoothie from Bliss! I saw Nicole, Mike and their kids. I talked to them and then I walked back to work. I wrote up copy for one of the pictures in the August magazine issue as well as editing some articles. I brought in my dark chocolate flourless cookies today and they were a hit!

I called it a day at 4 pm and went to the Acme. I picked up some sushi for lunch and walked home. I watched some Buffy in my room and then spent time on the porch. I saw Mary's mom Teresa, it was nice to see her! I think we realized that I had seen her last summer but hadn't seen her daughter Mary since 2011. We had clam chowder, grilled cheese and salad on the porch.

The last time we were together with the Keenans to take a porch picture - our tradition!

I saw Mary! It was great to see her. She has changed a lot in just two years! I met her boyfriend too. It was good to see her.

I helped Michael take out the trash and recycling. Then Mom, Michael and I played Apples-to-Apples and a dice game on the porch.

Then I went up and watched Teen Wolf, did some blog writing and got ready for bed.

Another internship day tomorrow, maybe a quick hit at the beach and also the Farmer's Market in the evening!

VACATION NEEDS TO STOP GOING SO FAST!

xo,
capemaychick

19 1/2 Birthday!

Today is my 19 1/2 birthday! I'm so lucky to have celebrated both my 19th birthday and my 19 1/2 birthday in Cape May!

I woke up really, really late today. Thanks mom. Lori and Mara were already here. I came down and we all had pretzel sandwiches on the fron tporch. They went to the beach and I went to CVS to print pictures and then the Lobster house to get tuna steaks for dinner (too fishyfishy).

I scrapbooked while watching Buffy. I ran to the Acme to get glue but they didn't have any so back to CVS I went.

We had dinner and walked to the mall Bliss. I had mint chocolate chip and avocado. I saw a gray cat (named Smokey) and his friend a gray/white tuxie. We went to the band stand and saw Nicole, her parents, Mike and the kids. We talked to them for a while before coming home.

Said goodbye to Lori and Mara - we had a nice day with them! I got ready for bed. Mary comes tomorrow!

xo,
capemaychick

PS - sorry for no pictures, I didn't take any today since I was scrapbooking!

Another Volunteering Day

I woke up at 10:30 am but didn't get up until noon. Bill was working on radiator covers. We had Irish oatmeal, farm market strawberries, Cape May Honey Farm honey for breakfast. After lunch, I cleaned up my room and we went to Animal Outreach.

Ginny and Chrissy were adopted, together! Great news! And Scully and her sister Moo were  reclaimed by their owners. I played with the regulars and the new kittens Jack and Moe - who were renamed Rachel and Michael - for me and my brother!  I saw my volunteer friends Charlotte and Eileen. Met the new volunteer Jake. I fed all of the cats their dinner! Lots and lots of cans!

Left is dad holding a scared kitten Oliver. Right top is Rachel and bottom is Michael.

We came home and I had lunch, mac and cheese.  I watched the end of The Pacifier on ABC Family. After I watched some Vine videos before driving to Poverty Beach and walking along the water. I sat on the lifeguard chair and relaxed. I came home and took a shower outside and watched Twisted.

We ate dinner on the porch - Cappaletti's cheesesteaks, chips and edamame.

I baked the flourless chocolate cokies but they didn't come out quite right. I scrapbooked a little too. Can't believe I've been here for five weeks, today!

xo,
capemaychick

Horse Shoe Crab A Flippin'

It was harder to get up this morning so I stayed in bed an extra 15 minutes until 8:15 am. I got up and got dressed. Dad dropped me off and I went up to work. I started to proof read my articles from yesterday. I got two assignments, to write an article about the Saltwater Cafe that I went to yesterday as well as about the new ArtBOX opening in Wildwood (these articles are hyperlinked and while they have the editor's name, I did in fact write them!) Then I did some research for another article and also wrote up an article about what is happening in September in Cape May (they are now ahead a few months!).

I went to lunch across the street at Stewart's Root Beer. Had mini burgers and fries. I came back and made some phone calls and then got off early! Mom and dad and Michael picked me up. We went back to Teaberry Antiques to buy a few things we saw on Wednesday and still wanted to get. On the way home, we stopped at a farm stand and bought peas, tomatoes and cucumbers. We came home and I read my Jersey Tomatoes book both inside and outside.

L to R: Mom and I on the beach, the horse shoe crab I flipped over, my cake.

Our neighbor Barbara stopped by and we showed her the main level of our house and sat on the porch for a while. It was nice! After she left, mom and I went to Higbee's Beach. She didn't believe me where the beach was, because you kind of have to off road into the parking lot. As soon as we got on the beach I saw a piece of green beach glass! I also found another small piece of green and a square piece of clear beach glass on our walk. I also found some pretty rocks.

We saw a TON of horse shoe crabs and I flipped some over. We got back to the car and I realized I didn't have my iPhone. MASS PANIC IGNITES! I ran down the path and saw someone with my phone, thank god! It really would've sucked/ruined my vacation not to have my phone. It's a little sandy but I can deal with that.

We came home, showered and I watched Catfish on my computer. We had ravioli, gnocchi with fresh peas and salad on the porch. After dinner I went to the Acme for some groceries to bake Nicole's cake. I baked it and watched The Show with Vinny and threw in a load of laundry. The cake came out SO good! We all had cake and glasses of milk.

I came upstairs, finished watching the Show with Vinny, updated my blog and got ready for bed. Thank goodness I will get to sleep in tomorrow!

xo,
capemaychick

Internship Day #1

I woke up at 8 am when my alarm first went off. I got up and dressed and mom drove me to the Cape May Magazine office on the mall. I walked up a few minutes before 9 am and brought them my homemade cookies. They loved them! The editor had me write two articles for the website - capemay.com - about the goings on for July 4 and also just general July events.

Then I went to Hot Dog Tommy's for lunch. I had to wait a half an hour but it was totally worth the deliciousness that was his food. I had a slaw dog, macaroni and cheese and a frozen root beer. I ate on a bench at the mall.

At my internship

When I got back from lunch, I wrote an article all about the August events. All these articles are for the website! So cool! Then from 3:30 to 4:30 pm I went to the new Saltwater Cafe with Michelle (the photographer) to see the new renovations in the building. I took a tour while Michelle took stills and then I shot a video of the owner for our website.

They had some hor d'oeuves that were very fancy and I got to taste some, yum! After that, Michelle dropped me off at home and I got to tell mom and dad all about my day. I had a snack and got ready to go to Higbee's beach but it started storming. We sat on the porch. I read and finished my book.

We had really good BLT sandwiches for dinner. After dinner, Mom and I drove to Poverty beach to take a short walk. I found a milk top on the beach - those were Sabrina's favorite toys, I think it was a sign from her. It started to rain so we left.

Mom ran into fudge kitchen and we came home and had maple walnut, vanilla, vanilla marshmellow and chocolate walnut fudge.

I came upstairs and showered. I talked to both of my grandmas to tell them about the internship and then I got ready for bed.

xo,
capemaychick

Beach Glass Night!

Woke up and had breakfast, and got dressed. We went to Bella Vida for brunch. I tried the fruit flapjacks (banana and strawberry) and scrapple. We dropped off leftovers and drove up to CM Court House. We picked up ink and pens at Staples. We stopped in The Dutch Rose and picked up my little antique stamp envelope that I saw on her Facebook page last week. I also bought a little butter pat dish and a blue/green compact -- both for jewelry. Dad got a cat pitcher and cat figurine and mom got a CM map bracelet.

L-R Clockwise: Legs the antique store cat, stamp holder, display of various bottles that beach glass comes from, my piece of beach glass next to what it actually came from.

Next we went to Teaberry and poked around. I found a pitcher that matched one of our yellow/orange flower cup! We saw Legs - the antique store cat who lives there. She is having a sweet sixteen birthday party on Saturday!

We came home and had dinner, pigs in blankets and leftovers. Mom and I left for Stone Harbor for Caroline's Blue Eden party. It was fun, I got to see the beach glass jewelry lady Jenna of Sea Glass Chic - who I had met previously at Blue Eden. The big piece of blue glass I found earlier this summer is from a coke bottle - Jenna showed me. I bought a calm waters soap scrub, beach soap and another beach glass bracelet made by Jenna.

Mom and I came home and we had a smoothie for dessert. I baked a double bath of cookies. Internship starts tomorrow!

xo,
capemaychick

Tuesday at the Farmer's Market // Mucho caliente weather ☀☀☀

I woke up when my alarm went off at 10:40 am this morning, but didn't get out of bed until after 11:40. I sat out on the porch despite it being hot and humid. I read mom's old Cape May journal, it went back until 2003 and our first year at our now-house was 2007, so this is our 7th summer in this house.

Mom and I went to Big Wave Burritos to pick up everyone $2 fish tacos for dinner, rice and beans and chips. It was totally yummy! After lunch, I relaxed on the couch and watched The Fosters. Then, mom and I went to Exit Zero. I bought the Cape May flag pennant, a Cape Mayniac sticker and mom bought the clam drain game (like our neighbor's late husband played) and a Cool Cape May print for my room (has our street on it and the butterfly migration on it - my room is butterfly themed).

Then, we went to the Cape May Honey Farm and met the owner, Andi. We sampled honey and bought a jar of their local homemade honey and a "Bee the change you want to see in the world" wristlet.

We came home and chilled a bit before leaving for the West Cape May Farmer's Market. We got Empanada Mama's empanadas - so good as always. We got some twisted lemonade and saw our friends Tina and Don. We got some beautiful flowers and a basil plant from No Frills Farm and peas, cucumber, zuchinni and tomato from Rea's farm.  We spent time talking with Nicole and Mike and tried Bliss' mystery flavor. It was excellent and I will definitely post on my blog next Tuesday what it was! You get three guesses to guess what it is, and if you guess right you get it for free - and we got it! It was awesome.

On the way out of the Farmer's Market, we bought a bag of mini doughnuts - incredible! Came home and showered. We got a phone call from our friend & vet tech Teri - she lost her job which was so upsetting to hear. Teri is awesome and she is taking great care of Henry and Pearl at her Furry Dance B&B for Cats!

For dinner we had pasta with corn and the peas & zuchinni from the farmer's market. We also had some lobster. Had a cookie for dessert and watched Pretty Little Liars in my room. Talked to grandma and went to bed.

Tomorrow we will go antiquing and it's my last week day before my internship starts at Cape May magazine!

xo,
capemaychick

Animal Outreach & Bliss again

I woke up this morning at noon. I guess Malia isn't here to wake me up anymore :) I must not have set my alarm right. There were a ton of ants in the bathroom this morning, good thing the exterminator is coming today. Mom brought home pizza from Cappelletti's. It was pretty good. Michael and I ate in the kitchen. Then I went upstairs and got dressed.

Martha in her box :)

We went to Animal Outreach and I introduced mom, dad and Michael to Charlotte, Eileen and all of the cats! I met the new kittens, Luke and Leon, 2 black boys Zack and Jack and then Scully and Moo (who were surrendered by a guy from the Coast Guard that was being deployed, so sad.

We were there for a while! We came home, had a snack and I showered. I left for work. Charlotte and Eileen came in for ice cream! Nicole stopped by with spoons. It was her and Mike's anniversary tonight so they were going out.

I read my magazines and some of my book. Overall, I had 11 transactions and made $10.54 in tips. I ran home and dropped off the ice cream mom and dad bought and then ran back to CVS for tape and a few other things.

I had a snack, watched Teen Wolf and had ice cream.

Tomorrow I will go to the beach!

xo,
capemaychick

The end of my first CM journal

I had to get up at 9:30 am to eat and get Malia to her ferry. We had breakfast together in the kitchen and left about 1- am. We arrived early for her 11 am ferry so we sat and talked for a while. When they made the boarding announcment we said our goodbyes and I left. We had a really nice and fun week together!

I went to the Acme and then came home and had leftover Chinese food for lunch. Afterwards, Mom, Dad and I went to Swain's, West End Garage, Cape May Wicker, Sea Horse Antiques and Out of the Past antiques. It was very humid out. We mostly got cat tsotchkes.

We had a snack when we got home. We moved Denise's (or rather our) furniture to the porch. I helped mom and dad feng shui the furniture. I showered and got dressed and left to work at Bliss. Nicole has such yummy flavors!

Vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon clove, banana, lemon basil mint sorbet, mint chocolate chip, honey strawberry, mojito sorbet, orange creamc

icle, raspberry, vegan chocolate, vegan vanilla, vegan coffee, honey rosehips, chocolate with cacao nibs, chicory root and honey lavender.

I tried raspberry, chocolate with cacao nibs and honey rosehips (my favorite) since they were new. It was a pretty slow night, 5 transactions over the first three hours and four transactions in the last hour. I finished my book, The Rules of Summer by Joanna Philbin. It was really good!

Mom and dad came by and sampled lots of flavors. 9 transactions and $7.89 in tips. Not bad though $2.51 was from mom/dad.

How much are those kitties in the window?

I left about 9:20 pm and drove by Animal Outreach - I saw some kitties in the window! I came home, had a snack and watched 3 episodes of Graceland - great show.

End of four summers worth of journal keeping.

Can't believe I finished my Cape May Journal! 2009-2013, four summers of writing!
 Time for a new one!

xo,
capemaychick

Poverty Beach Again - fish but no beach glass :(

Woke up and sat on the front porch. I got a letter from Aunt Eileen! I had a pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich for lunch. It was fairly warm out so everyone had a total chill afternoon. We brought cookies to our neighbors across the street and met them.

Can you spot the fish?

Malia and I drove to Poverty Beach in the evening and it was pretty quiet aside from some drunk people. We both read our books and took a mini shell walk. Found some cute regular shells and one moonie and two actual fish! No beach glass though. We were at the beach for a good hour. Came home and showered. We went to Cape Orient to pick up some Chinese food for dinner, yum.

We left for the mall around 9:40 pm. We went to Tina's where Malia brought two pohtos and then we went to Bath Time. I got a pomegranate shave gel and a white tea stardust lotion. I used the savings coupon from the Whale's Tale pack and saved $10! Then we looked in a few stores and afterwards we shared a funnel cake from the Surfshack.

We came home and hung out while Malia packed. Can't believe she is leaving tomorrow. She has an 11 am ferry.

xo,
capemaychick

Old is the New New!

Woke up early enough today to actually eat breakfast and not go straight to lunch. Waffle with nutella and banana. Malia and I got dressed and left for Higbee's Beach. We got a little confused going there, drove by the alpaca farm! Ultimately found it, it's near the ferry terminal.

I saw a horseshoe crab stuck in the sand and I used my flip flops to get it into the water - #horseshoecrabrescue. Then I found some conch shells - whole, huge ones! But they actually had conches in them, so I couldn't take them :(

Malia found a huge piece of beach glass that looked like it was from the bottom of a bottle. I found a brown piece and we found some other shells, rocks too. We saw two dead sting rays. I had never seen them other than in the aquarium. So that was neat and we took a lot of pictures. We left and went to the big Acme (my fifth time) to get sushi for lunch (which we ate when we got home) and a few other things.

After lunch, we walked to the surf shack and split a black and white milk shake and took a short walk on the beach. We poked in Morrow's Nut House where I picked up some postcards. We walked down to the mall, looked in a lot of shops and down Pearl Street (saw Lotta and an orange/white cat) and then went home. We all chilled for a while.

Mom and dad bought Denise's old wicker porch furniture to replace the majority of ours, since she was getting new stuff. Bill spray painted it white, to give it a fresh look. We even got the swing, which I'm dying to use, and we will probably set it up in the fall :(

Tina brought by our metal prints, they look great. I hung out on the porch for a while, talked to grandma Zelda, saw a horse and carriage go down the street and pruned/watered my flowers. We talked with our neighbors about the houses for a while. later I showered.

We had gnocchi and ravioli for dinner around 7 ish. Malia and I baked 1.5 batches of chocolate chip cookies. I did laundry and wrote letters. We finished watching Soul Surfer. After we finished, we came upstairs and uploaded pictures. Tomorrow is Malia's last full day. Got to get a quality beach day in.

xo,
capemaychick

Stone Harbor // Cookies

Blue Eden goodies

I got up today at 11 am. Got a letter from Lindsay! Malia and I had lunch on the front porch - pork roll, yum! We hung out upstairs and then mom, Malia and I left for Stone Harbor. We spent about fifty minutes in Blue Eden. Caroline wasn't there but we met the manager Eleanor. I got three pony-o hair ties, a polka dot headband and a bar of calming waters soap. Then we went to Terry Ivory. I picked up a cute necklace charm that has an anchor on it.

We came home, Malia and I got ready to bake. We realized that we needed more cookie baking ingredients so we went to the Acme with dad. We came home and baked a triple batch of the flourless chocolate cookies to give to our neighbors. It took a really long time to bake them all. When we were finally done, we went to the mall. At A Place on Earth I got a headband. Malia and I ate at Stewart's and I had their mini burgers and we split mozarella sticks.

At Madame's Port, Malia and I each bought bracelets and I got two pins from Across the Way. We came home and had some cookies for dessert. Showed mom what we got!

We packed the cookies and went upstairs to shower. I watched Teen Wolf, Melissa and Joey and Babby Daddy and updated my blog (hehe).

Tomorrow we will go to Higbee's Beach and the zoo! Malia is here until Sunday morning so we still have two days!

xo,
capemaychick

Attacked by Waves

We went to bed late last night so I didn't get up a little before noon. Mom had gone out and brought home bagels. She said she saw our neighbor Barbara who invited us to her fourth of July party! I had a pork roll sandwich bagel and ate with Malia on the front porch.

After lunch, Malia and I cleaned off the Adirondack
chairs in the backyard. We hung out in the kitcehn before getting ready for the beach. We were at the beach for three hours! The tide was coming in and went under our chairs and washed away our flip flops, soaked our towels and stole the boogie board (which I had to chase down). It was kind of funny if it didn't make a mess!

I read the rest of my Sarah Dessen book and then Malia and I went in the water for a bit. It was rough so after the wave practically stole my bathing suit bottoms, we came out. The boys went in for a while. We watched them. Mom came and we sat with her for a while. Then we headed home to shower - I did outside and their is a pipe leaking in the shower. I had a turkey, avocado and cheese snack. Then Malia french braided my hair. We hung out and helped get dinner ready> We didn't all eat until 9 pm. Chicken, spaghetti and salad - yum.

After dinner, Malia and I went to the boardwalk. We had a funnel cake! We did the photo booth. The boys met us for mini golf but the place closed so they went back. We came home and I saw a big orange polydactyl cat on the way home - I thought it was the one mom met today called Moose, so I called him and he came trotting over!

We had a snack at home, painted our nails, watched some of the Pregnancy Project and went to bed!

xo,
capemaychick

$2 Taco Tuesday

After the centipede debacle of last night, it was very hard to get up this morning. So I got up around noon. Malia and I watched the rest of New Year's Eve on my dvd player and ate lunch. We went to the mall. I got my soap scrub jar filled at A Place on Earth and a cute shell dish/star flower soap at Bathtime. We went to the Acme and it rained!

We shopped probably about an hour before coming home and unloading while it poured. We put everything away and then baked Nicole's gluten free dark chocolate flourless cookies. That took a while - darn only one rack in the oven! We watched Friends while we baked. The cookies didn't quite come out the same way and they were smaller.

Fish tacos

We went to Big Wave Burritos to pick up dinner. Two dollar taco Tuesday! I got fish tacos. Next time I need to get them with less salsa because the jalapenos are mucho caliente! We brought the food home and watched last week's episode of Twisted on my computer. Then we dropped off cookies at Denise's house - she TOTALLY loved them! Nicole also brought by a quart of lemon basil mint sorbet for a surprise for mom and dad.

Malia and I watched Pretty Little Liars and Twisted while eating dinner. We ran our stuff upstairs, cleaned up while there were commercials.

Mom, dad, Michael and James came in around 10:15 pm. It was great to see everyone - it's been three weeks! So long. We helped them bring stuff in. Mom and dad loved the chocolate cookies and the lemon basil mint sorbet.

Mom gave me a present from Krista - a James Avery flip flop pendant! The Kheivs were packing up to move to Texas and I will really, really miss them!

Malia and I watched YouTube videos for a while, showered and then went to bed. I know we will go to the beach tomorrow but I don't know what else we will do!

A beautiful flower in our front yard

Jersey Girls Kill Bugs?

I got up at 10:30 am and Malia and I had breakfast. We went to the bank and then the Lobster House where we got crab fingers, mustard sauce, coleslaw and lobster mac and cheese. Yum. We ate that for lunch and also had corn. We watched Friends with Benefits while eating and then afterwards. Great movie! Then we went to bake cookies but didn't have flour so we ran to the in town Acme and picked up stuff and baked cookies.

We got ready to work at Bliss  and made sandwiches to go. I got letters from Aunt Marjorie and Grandma Zelda today! We worked 5-9 at Bliss. Very dead. Only did one transaction. Nicole came in and did two big transactions, and then it was dead until 9.

We ran home to drop stuff off and then went to the mall. I got a starfish ring at Making Waves, a yellow bracelet with a key charm and a cat notebook from Across the Way. We had ice cream cookie sandwiches and snacks and then watched half of New Years' Eve movie. We took out the trash.

We had to kill two silverfish and two HUGE centipedes, scariest thing ever. It was horrifying and scarring. Tomorrow we will food shop, hit the beach and Big Wave burrito and then everyone will show up in the evening!

xo,
capemaychick

SandySandySandy

Malia and I didn't finish laundry and go to bed until after 3 am, so we slept in until a little before noon. I talked to mom before getting out of bed and she gave me a shopping list of things to get. We got up and dressed and head lunch. Snow crab and corn! Yum. We got on sunscreen and went to the beach.

Happy to have one of my besties here.

We sat and read for a little while and then spent a long time in the water. We actually went in very deep, surprisingly! It was really nice until a huge wave hit me, pushed me down and I took down Malia too! Needless to say, falling in the sand leaves you very sandy.

We came home and showered. Malia french braided my hair so prettily :) We worked at Bliss 5-9 pm - 6 transactions and $3.72 in tips. I did 9 transactions last night and only made $3.23!

We stopped at CVS on the way home to get some qtips and hair ties and then we had a snack, hung out, I made some thank you cards and then we watched Friends before bed.

Hopefully it won't rain tomorrow so we can hit the beach again!

xo,
capemaychick

Back to 808

Woke up at 9 am. I got up dressed and packed some of my stuff into the car. I drove to Sewell. I sat and drove around from 9:30-10:15 am waiting for the renters to leave. Once they were gone I went into the house and it was fairly clean. Everything was moved around, my flowers were dead a little bit and there was some water in the basement. I threw in a load of laundry and went to George's for breakfast.

I had banana french toast there, so delicious. Then I went to Michael's craft store in Rio Grande and bought some necklace stuff and mason jars for my shells. I went back to Nicole's and packed up all of my stuff and said goodbye to them. I drove home and then I unloaded. I went to the Acme and bought a ton of food, came back and unloaded.

I saw Todd outside, packing to leave for Florida so I got to say goodbye to him. Went in the house, showered, cooked my edamame and took my sushi to go to work at Bliss. I worked 5-9 pm. 9 transactions and only $3.23 in tips, yikes.

I went to the ferry and got Malia! YAY! We went home and had some snacks, I showed her all of the house changes and we listened to music and watched George Lopez! Tomorrow we will go to the beach.

xo,
capemaychick

One Year High School Graduation Anniversary!

It's been one year today that I graduated high school!

I woke up rather late this morning, noon because I was up late last night. i got dressed and headed out. I went to Congress Hall and bought pasta salad from Tommy's FOlly and ate on their veranda and read my book. I poked into Across the Way, Scandinavian gifts and Making Waves, where I bought a cute anchor Cape May wristlet.

I went to Animal Outreach and volunteered for two hours from 2-4 pm. I saw some of the volunteers and met a new one. I got to meet the new Katrina cat and I also scooped all of the litter boxes.

Cuddles

Nigel thanking me for coming to visit :)

Afterwards I went to Wawa, got diet coke and water, got gas at the Exxon and back to Nicole's to watch shows on my computer.

It was pouring at 7 pm when I wen tot go to Louie's for dinner. I had a cheese-steak and onion rings while it stormed. I had planned on eating at the beach and it cleared up when I was driving back but then started raining again. I texted Denise and she told me Todd and Nala are leaving for Florida - sorry I won't get to see them some more.

I got back to Nicole's and no one was home. I watched TV on my computer. They came back and I gave the girls the toys I brought with me from home. I helped Nicole bake and then a little after 11 pm we went to Bliss to make some ice cream. We got back at 1 am, I showered and went to bed.

Home to 808 tomorrow!

xo,
capemaychick

Bliss and Sun

Today I woke up at 10:30 am to my alarm, despite waking up earlier from hearing the kids. i talk to mom while it thundered. Weather is predicted to be bad out today. I got up and dressed and ate my leftover fish burrito for lunch and then left for Bliss.

It cleared up outside and was sunny! I hang out there for over three hours, I took Sage to Congress Hall and looked at the Koi fish and sat in the rocking chairs. We went back and I had a strawberry banana smoothie. I met Gabby who works there and is so nice.

Our renters were at Bliss! They made a mess, LOL!

I took the girls on a walk and then got a turkey avocado sandwich and then took Sage and Hudson back to the house. They played in the sprinklers and I watched Awkward. 

When I went to get the kids their towels I slipped because my feet were wet. I have two terrible bruises and cuts on my back. We read some books until Nicole came home. She made a pasta with meat sauce and edamame which was good. Afterwards we baked cookies and I even got to see and brush Nicole's cat Rupert!

Nicole's husband Mike came home around 1 am and we were all up until 1:45 talking and then I showered and got in bed. Tomorrow I will go to Animal Outreach and hopefully and the beach.

xo,

capemaychick

What Happened at 815 Sewell, Stays at 815 Sewell

I woke up at 11:30 am after staying in bed a bit later than usual. I took a shower and then had a slice of pizza and salad with Denise. I then finished packing my stuff up and loaded it into the car. I went to Nicole's and moved in (she wasn't home). I went to the Acme to buy some water bottles. I talked to mom on the phone - apparently the renters complained saying the house was dirty, paint chips everywhere, bikes are unusable, potted plants are in way, clothes (ladies' underwear?!) in drawers and outside shower leaks. Hmm, suspicious.

Mom said Henry's glucose levels were fluctuating and he was at the vet. Poor Henry! I came back to
Nicole's and laid down in bed and read by Lying Games novella on my Nook. I talked to mom some more too. They really need their vacation! Malia is taking the 7:45 pm ferry on Saturday night - I cannot wait to see her!

I drove by our house at 5:15 pm when I was on my way to Bella Vida for an early dinner. The renters weren't around. I had a fish burrito and it came with fries, a salad and rolls. Totally yum! I read my new book - The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen. After dinner, I drove down to the beach by where the Henry's restaurant used to be and parked. I took a walk and found some cool shells and two pieces of beach glass (aqua and brown). I sat on the lifeguard chair and read too. I left and drove by the house again and back to Nicole's and I read some more, talked to grandma Genie.

Nicole and her kids got back at 9 pm and we all hung out. I read them a book I brought, Six Dinner Sid - such a great kid's book. I took a shower and wrote letters, watched My Cat From Hell, wrote in my CM journal, talked to Grandma Zelda and mom. We are supposed to get bad storms tomorrow.

I read and went to bed. Can't wait to be back in my house on Saturday. Missing Sabrina.

xo,
capemaychick

Tuesday Blues // Bark Side??!

I woke up at 10:30 am and watched a little Angel in bed. I didn't really want to get up. I did eventually get up and take a shower and called grandma Zelda. We talked about Sabrina. I went downstairs and fixed myself a bologna sandwich. I ate and then sat on the porch with Denise and her friend Barbara and Todd and the dogs. I sat on Denise's porch swing (#love). I wrote letters and wrote a blog post about Sabrina (which you can read on Sandpiper Cat Blog Here).

Most of the day I spent with Nala, who is totally becoming my best little doggy buddy. 

I can't believe she is gone. It felt good to write about her. I also spent a great deal of time with Todd and Denise - it's really been a high light of my stay so far, getting to stay with them. It's also nice to have someone constantly around, whether it's the dogs or Todd/Denise.

We had Louie's Pizza for dinner - white pizza with ricotta, tomatoes & mushrooms and a sausage and pepper pizza. I literally DID NOT leave Denise's porch today at all. It was really nice to just have a super relaxed day after all I've been through.

Tomorrow I will make the move over to Nicole's house. She was nice enough to offer back in March for me to stay with her. And just think, in three days I will be back in my house and Malia will be up! I'm really excited and I can't wait.

xo, capemaychick

Monday - RIP Sabrina, eternal love!

I woke up this morning just feeling immensely depressed. Mom was at the doctor and I was texting her. I got up and showered and laid down again in bed and looked for pictures of Sabrina again on my Facebook. I facetimed with mom and I got to say goodbye to Sabrina, before mom and dad took her to the vet to put her down. She was not getting better, and she was definitely not living life the way we wanted her to. I spent time talking to mom and texting her at the vet and just bawling. I can't believe my Bean is gone :(

It's definitely hard not to be there. It doesn't feel real except I facetimed with Bean before she was gone. I'm not going to go home, seeing that it wouldn't make much of a difference now. It will save everyone time and make mom's life easier to not have to come and get me from the ferry. It's hard and really sucks to know it's going to be so long before I see my cats - it feels even harder to be away for six weeks total after going through such an emotional time.

I came down around 12:30 to tell Denise and Todd that Sabrina was gone. Denise gave me a big hug and it's just so so so hard to lose her. We all just sat and talked for a bit. Then I had a package of crackers because that's all I felt like I could manage to eat, and I went to run errands with Denise.

Kitty I bought at Whale's Tale

We went to the vet to pick up medicine for Denise's dogs, to CVS where I picked up some nail polish and chocolate, and to the Acme to get some food. I came back and had a snack and then drove to Bliss on the mall because it was raining. I hung out with Nicole and Hudson and briefly saw Mike and Tina too. Nicole made me a fresh turkey avocado sandwich - yummy. I had half of it there and the rest for dinner. I went to Whale's Tale and bought a black and white stuffed cat for me (mom said to since I was lonely and sad about Sabrina - it was too bad they didn't have an all black cat but it was close enough). I also bought a favorite cat book of mine for Nicole's kids and a copy of the new Exit 0 magazine.

I never saw this on any of my walks before - cool. I felt Sabrina was with me.

I came back to Denise's and sat with Todd and ate dinner. I decided I would take Nala on a walk and ended up walking her for forty minutes. I'm not a walker, it was kind of warm outside and I really just needed a distraction and escape from reality. I watched Nala get to meet some kids and then a family who said they saw her from around the corner and specifically came out to say hi to her. So sweet. I totally love her and if you know me, you know I'm not really a dog person but I've been charmed!

I came back and had ice cream with Denise. Stayed up with Todd and watched tv and talked about journalism. It was about 1:30 am when I came up for bed so I just got dressed and right into bed. What a draining day.

Walk? Did someone say Walk? Yeah yeah yeah!

xo,
capemaychick

RIP Sabrina Alice Shubin 5/11/09-6/10/13. 

Sunday Funday

I slept in until noon today, totally unintentionally! Oops! I got up and had a bologna sandwich on Denise's porch. She came and sat with me and so did Todd. We had a nice time. Todd put Nala in his sweatshirt which was too funny! We were outside until about 2:30 pm and then I walked to Wanderlaust, looked around and walked to the mall. I went to Splash and looked again at the necklace I liked but didn't buy it. I went to Fralinger's and got taffy.

I walked down Decatur Street to the art show on the boardwalk. I bought a Cape May charm that has a little star fish on it and a tiny cat charm from Tracy Tayan designs and then at another booth a beaded friendship name bracelet - with Sabrina's name on it >^..^<.

I love the tip jar at Bliss. So true!

I went back to Denise's and changed, then went to the Acme and picked up a tray of sushi and a bowl of fruit for dinner. I met Nicole at Bliss and talked with her for a while. She showed me how to make a shake! I got to try an orange creamcicle shake - YUM! She left and I worked 5-9 and it was a lot slower than Saturday. I made a total of $1.94 in tips - wow, food industry can really be hard. $5.46 for two days. It was very empty and I got to finish my book. I enjoyed a chocolate and banana combo of ice cream . Nicole asked me if there were three more days I could work, which will be awesome - even Malia will get to do some work!

I came home and watched Long Island Medium with Denise and Todd, and some Real Housewives of New Jersey. and I walked Nala with Denise. I spent a long time on the phone with mom and talked about Sabrina. She really isn't doing well which makes me very sad. I think tomorrow may be her last day with us <3 p="">
xo,
capemaychick

Saturday's Update // First Real Job

I woke up this morning and just felt no motivation to get up. I just am horribly worried about Sabrina. I would go home Monday if mom could get me or let me drive. I'm bummed I have to wait until Wednesday. I spoke with mom and it sounded like Sabs was the same and Henry had had diarrhea though. Poor buddy. I got up and ate a bowl of cereal and had a letter from Malia at Denise's - where I am.

I went over to the house and put my towels into the dryer and put the Brita pitcher away. I wrote the house letter to leave on the refrigerator because it never came in the mail from dad.  I face timed with mom and then locked up the owner's closet. I sat on the front porch for a while. Of course by 12:50 when I needed to leave I got totally soaked running ACROSS the street to Denise's so I had to change. I had leftover Chinese and salad for lunch. I watched Mystery Diners on the Food Network while I ate since nothing else was on. I ran into Denise outside and went up to the promenade to see the art show but it was still drizzling so I came back, in lieu of getting soaked again.

Working at the counter!

I walked with Denise and Nala around the block and talked to the Mockuses (our neighbors) and then sat on the porch while I watched the renters move in to the house. Looks like gradnparents & their kids and grandkids. I hope they don't use my room! It definitely feels majorly violating to know someone is living in your house. I really don't like it - it's one thing to think about them in theory but not actually see them!

I sat on Denise's porch and read/wrote letters. I left about 4:15 pm to get a sandwich from Zoe's. The meter I parked at had 30 minutes left on it which was awesome! I got a turkey club and fries. I headed over to Bliss and got there at 4:45 and stayed through 9:45 - even though they close at 9, someone called when I was getting ready to leave and I decided I could wait.

It was slow at first so I read my book and ate dinner. I sampled some ice cream too :) Slowly people started to trickle in. Between 7-8:30 I had a ton of people in. I only made $3.50 in tips. Food industry is tough! Hillary from Good Earth Organic Eatery (who shares space with Bliss) brought me a piece of pizza and it was really good. Made with carrot sauce, broccoli, spinnach, kale (OMG I ate kale), raddish and sea salt and olive oil. I can't wait to work
again tomorrow!

xo,
capemaychick

Friday & sad news

Today I woke up to my alarm, watched some Angel and got a phone call from mom. She hadn't wanted to tell me when I was alone and since they didn't know much, but that Sabrina has become very sick and they were taking her to the Hope Center for a sonogram. I heard from mom a little after 3 pm. Sabrina, my beanie, either has lymphoma or FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) - both fatal.

I am completely devastated, and torn apart. I decided I would go home on Wednesday to be with her and everyone for the end. It's just horrible this happened so suddenly. Sabrina is so young, only 4 years old and we've only had 3 short and sweet years together. I feel so helpless :(

Sabrina hanging with mom.

Since the cleaners were coming tonight, I had to clear everything out of the house. I had a hot dog for lunch and spent the rest of the day packing and running things over to Denise's house across the street (where I will be staying). I was completely out before 6 pm, when the cleaners showed up. I ran to the Acme and bought some bread and bologna and some comfort chocolate. I came to Denise's and we ordered Chinese food from Cape Orient. She, her son Todd and I all ate dinner. The Chinese food here is just so good, better than at home!

Then in the evening Denise and I walked Todd's sweet dog Nala around the block. I went to the house to dry my towels and checked out the house - very, very clean. I talked to mom and grandma Genie. I'm looking forward to seeing them on Wednesday. I came back to Denise's and we were watching some of Randy to the Rescue on TLC, but we mostly ended up chatting. We came up to go to bed.

I came up to my really nice room and took a shower, unpacked a little and settled in. I talked to grandma Zelda and to mom. Tomorrow I am working at Bliss from 5-9 pm and I can't wait! My first real official job!

xo, capemaychick

Sabrina eating some Matzah at Passover time.

Contemplating the wonders of the world.

Enjoying nap time in her little hidey-hole.

Thursday's Cleaning

My alarm went off at 10:30 am but I didn't feel like getting up right away, still recovering from my early wake ups for the writers' conference! Denise called at 11 am to see if I wanted to bring stuff over, but I didn't have anything together yet. I watched some Angel before getting up and having lunch - leftover chinese and raviolis. I read my book and then I skyped with Lindsay.

I started cleaning the house, sweeping up the floors inside and on the front porch. I saw Denise outside and went over to say hi and meet her son Todd. I also met one of our other neighbors. I kept cleaning and sweeping when mom called, to tell me the house Realtor wanted to bring over people who were potentially interested in renting. So I quickly made my bed and hid my lingerie that was out on drying racks. They came in and walked through. They said the house was cute, but I didn't know if they were saying that because I was there or if they really liked it.

After they left, I put tape on the top shelf of the food pantry that says "Owners only, do not use please. Thanks." and then I moved up food to that shelf and put away the food I'm taking with me. I facetimed with mom about the house and the television that wasn't working - which we got to work with some help with xfinity.

Around 4 pm I left the house to go to Walmart to get towels for when we have guests, and a grill brush. I also picked up some sun screen that was on sale. Afterwards, I went straight to Bliss to learn how to use the register and scoop ice cream -- I'm working at Bliss this weekend! I'm really excited.

Then I came home, cleaned and had dinner - spaghetti O's and salad on the porch, while reading/finishing my book. Then I came upstairs and started to pack my room and then watched The Show with Vinny and Friend's.

Tomorrow I will finish cleaning the house and move into Denise's for the next couple of days while the house is rented.

I'm sad to be leaving the house already, I've been so comfortable here the past two weeks! I'll be back into the house in a week and then will have another 2 1/2 weeks!

PS - sorry there are no photos, I didn't do anything interesting today!

xo,
capemaychick

Wednesday - Beach Writer's Conference Day #2/Last Day // Watch the Tram Car Please

I woke up around 8 am and mom texted with me. I got up at 8:05 and started to get dressed. I got all of my stuff together, grabbed something to eat and said hi/bye to Bill and left. I made good time to the conference. I picked up a danish and sat down for the first two sessions.

Then at lunch time I drove to the Tom Cat Diner but it was closed! SO I knew I had a coupon for 10% off at the Pink Cadillac diner so I drove back to there. I had honey dipped chicken, salad, fries and cole slaw. It was pretty decent, but I wouldn't be in a rush to get back there anytime soon. The cashier forgot to ring up my coupon but already ran my credit card through - so she had to void the transaction. Hopefully I don't get double charged. Things were not going my way in way of food today!

On the tram car

I left the diner and went back to the conference for the next session which was boring. The conference was called Beach Writers' Conference, so I literally took it to mean that there would actually be writing about the beach. Turns out, it was more like - we're at the beach and it's a writing conference. So there was a lot on writing BOOKS/self publishing, fictional characters, etc. I'm not looking right now to write a book, it's definitely in the cards, but not quite yet. Overall, it was a nice two days to see more of Wildwood than I usually get to.

After the boring session, I went to go ride on the tram car! It's a little trolley like train they run up and down the boardwalk. The boardwalk is 1.8 miles long (yes I wikipedia'd that). So it was nice to see the opposite ends - because I normally walk the middle stretch. I took the tram for about an hour and got dropped off at the convention center for the last session.

I had never seen this sign before!

Riding the tram on the wrong side of the Wildwood sign.

I stayed afterwards for the cocktail hour, which was very mediocre with drinks you had to pay for and a scant amount of appetizers. It was also very awkward because I didn't know anyone there and the adults immediately hit up the liquor and started getting drunk....so I ended up coming home and getting dinner from the Cape Orient (best Chinese food I've had). I had chicken lo mein, dumplings and crab rangoons. I ate on the porch and read my book and then watched four shows all while scrapbooking. I talked to my family and then I got ready for bed. I have a lot of cleaning to do tomorrow!

Came home to our door painted with our cat door knocker on it!

xo,
capemaychick

Beach Writers' Conference Day #1

I was up on and off from 6:45 am, so when my alarm went off at 7:30 am I popped right out of bed. I find that always happens to me on the first day of conferences - it's adrenaline. The second day is always harder to get up!

My mom texted me right after my alarm when off, and Bill called up too to make sure I was up, LOL! I got up, dressed and ate breakfast. Bill kept me company while I ate and talked my ear off before I left. I left about 8 am and got there, parked, registered & had a danish by 8:30 am.

#SWAG!

We got a swag bag full of magazines, NJ info, tram pass, dolphin container, flip flop gummies, note pad and pen, flip flop key chain and coupons. The first few speakers were interesting. They left us on our own for lunch. The swag bag had a coupon for 15% off the Doo Wop Diner on the boardwalk, so that is where I ate lunch. I ordered a "Miss Piggy" sandwich - which is a Taylor pork roll sandwich. Best bread ever and it cake with french fries and a pickle, I also had a diet coke. A good buy for $12 (with tip and 15% off). I didn't want to go to the playwright session because that is not my niche, so I drove over to the Walgreens to buy some magazines and Wildwood postcards. Then I went to the post office to buy some stamps since I didn't have a chance to do that in CM the other day.

L-R Clockwise upper left: Ferris wheel on the board walk, Beach Writers' Conference on the Wildwoods sign, bottom two pictures are my yummo lunch. Yes yummo not yummy.

I drove around a bit before going back. Everything was running on beach time (ahemlateahem). The last session ran over 20 minutes and then I went home. I had a snack and then went to the boardwalk. The surf shack was closed, so I had a milkshake from Rita's. Underwhelming but satisfied a craving. I came home and made the rest of the ravioli from the Ravioli House and a salad. I ate on the porch. Then I watched Pretty Little Liars: A LiAr's Guide to Rosewood, talked to grandma Genie, watched Full House, talked to grandma Zelda. Then I watched Awkward and got ready for bed.

Tomorrow is the second and LAST day of the conference! I will do an overall summary of what I thought/learned while I was there either tomorrow or on Thursday. I also will have a lot of cleaning to do for Thursday and Friday because we have a renter coming in on Saturday :( Of course they come in once I'm all settled!!

xo,
capemaychick