HIGH STAKES BINGO & VIETNAMESE CUISINE

I skipped exercise class today because I slept in: I’ll catch up on body toning Friday (Monday, Wednesday and Friday routines are identical movements; W & F adding 10 more reps to each exercise) 😉

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/06/preparation-meets-opportunity.html)

I didn’t sleep well through the night – bouncing out of bed at 7:30 AM was not going to happen. The alarm clock was set, and it went off … but I rolled over and went back to sleep without any guilt at all.

I miss Little Handsome; he’ll be 7 years old the end of this month.

I haven’t seen him in 11 months; I am missing watching him grow up because of aimless spitefulness.

He is our last grandchild: the only prince (2014), in 4 decades of princesses (1975, 1990, 1995, & 1997).

He is so much Bob’s mini-me in features, actions, behaviors … and he is so much his unique self in features, actions, behaviors.

I miss him. 

I am missing his ‘becoming’.

My heart is heavy.

I wasn’t even sure I was going to Bingo this afternoon.

But at the last minute I decided to go, and barely breezed through the doors in time.

Feeding and stroking heartache is not my thing.

When things get tough at home, I move on down the road.

If it is not raining, I don’t sit home and mope.

I don’t entertain an empty house and looping mind traps.

If the road is dry … I’m in the Highlander; going somewhere where there is life unfolding.

So, today I went to play bingo.

I stopped at Wal*Mart first to get some cash to buy my cards with – this was faster than going to the Bank and waiting 45 minutes behind other idling cars at the outside teller window, doing the same thing (the lobby is still closed).

Headband seen in a car at Wal*Mart reminded me of the daisy headband I had made Alyna, when she was 6 years old.

Making A Daisy Chain Crown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVsA_LcuHOQ

Missingness for my old life was not going to be so easy to sidestep. There are reminders everywhere, that blindside me.

I am restructuring a new life … but it is a constant 2-steps-forward/1-step-backward work in progress: memories of my old life, the life I loved, overshadows my new beginnings.

I am making new friends that are becoming my new family.

I am thankful to be so blessed. 

But denying the missingness would be absurd. 

So, I drove downtown, breezed through the doors of the building; and bought my playing cards … and killed a couple hours out-of-house.

And had fun. 

And enjoyed the day 😊

The Bingo Games played today; I learned new game formats today.

I had noticed the parking lot was full, when I arrived: I took the last parking spot.

I noticed everyone was excited to play Bingo.

I enjoy Bingo too, but I don’t get overly excited about it.

Then, when the Paper Cards were explained to me (this was a new thing for me), I understood: those paper cards are high-stakes-gambling games.

My Hard Boards & Paper Cards. The middle card was the winning card. The Paper Cards are high-stake gambling games – one game had a $75 Kitty, and another a $300 Kitty: I did not play those.

My $15 won ... I decided to spend it on Supper next door. LOL

When 2 PM rolled around, and Intermission was in effect, I wasn’t interested in the high-stakes bingo gambling; so, I put my 50 cents down for a pool table and spent 2 hours doing that 😉

When I started my first pool game, the fellas on the table over were finishing up their game: Mike left (not sure this was the ‘Mike’ from yesterday’s mention: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/06/rack-em-up-gal.html) … and Roy asked if I’d like a partner … I was glad for the opportunity to play against someone.

I have no need to rush home anymore.

No husband.

No kids.

No grandkids.

We played until 4 PM.

There was easy, companiable competition: slow down everyone – Roy is in his 80’s 😉

Roy is not the companion I am praying for.

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/06/trying-to-sort-my-feels.html)

But he is a fun person to spend some time with at the pool table.

We engaged in friendly opposition. 

We joked.

We laughed.

We had a fun time; and that is what life is all about.

I was glad I decided earlier to get out of the house.

When Roy left, and I put the rack and balls away; I thought I’d go next door to the new restaurant, and have Supper there.

I was the only person there. 

That was fine with me.

The place was clean and the staff was friendly.

The Vietnamese Restaurant on Commerce.

Restaurant Menu.

Don't know; I pointed and ordered. Hahaha. It was delicious.

The food was delish 😊 

I will definitely be going back to Commerce.

I will be going back for easy ‘community’.

I will be going back for the friendly games.

I will be going back for the exotic cuisine.