Peppy's Dream Moving Adventure Blog

Eric was up bright and early this morning, because he wanted to take the car, drive someplace and go mountain biking.  He lost his MOUNTAIN BIKING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA book, so he had no idea where he was going, but off he went.  He woke me at 10:00am, just as he was leaving.  I haven’t slept that late in months, and it felt great!

I got up, had NUTRISYSTEM oatmeal and watched some TV.  Then, I started working around the apartment.  First, I cleaned out the bottom of my closet, putting aside a few pair of shoes that I love but, unfortunately, can’t wear anymore.  My right foot hurts most of the time, but certain shoes are just super-painful from the first step, so they’re certainly not worth wearing.  Although my foot has improved a lot since I had the acupuncture treatments (it actually started to feel much better after I stopped the treatments, but I believe it's because the treatments were finally starting to help), it still hurts and the shoe I wear is absolutely the most important component.  Certain shoes make it worse; others don’t.

My niece, Jessica, wears the same size as me, so I figured I’d send her the shoes I can’t wear and she can see if she likes them.  I am mourning the shoes I can’t wear anymore, because I love my shoes – every single pair – but if I can’t wear them comfortably, I can’t wear them.  I'm willing to suffer for beauty -- I always have -- but only to a certain extent!

After I finished the bottom of the closet, I rearranged all the NUTRISYSTEM food we have left in the cabinets.  I organized them by dinner, lunch, breakfast, and snacks, so it’s easy to find.

I was just getting ready to go down to the laundry when Eric came home.  It was only 2:00pm – four hours since he left – so I knew right away that he didn’t have a great ride.  Usually, he’d be gone at least 5-6 hours.  I didn’t even ask him how his ride was, because I didn’t want to hear anything negative, so instead I just told him I was happy he was home and asked him if he wanted anything to eat or drink.  When he said no, I just told him I wanted to do laundry and he offered to carry the bag down to the laundry room for me.

As we walked, he complained the he had a headache and he figured it was from the sun, since he had to ride in total sunshine the whole time, since there’s no shade on the rides, since there are no trees – only shrubs.  This is the same complaint he’s had for the last 7 months and, I have to admit, I’m tired of it.  So, I didn’t comment at all.  I just kind of pretended I didn’t hear him.

After I got the laundry in, I took my finished DICK FRANCIS book and walked to the library.  Unfortunately, by this time it was after 2:45pm and the library closed at 2:30pm.  I was so frustrated, because I really wanted to have a new book for Monday at work.  Who knew the library would close so early on a Saturday?   Isn’t that the day that everyone has time to go to the library?  Of course, they’re closed on Sundays, so I was out of luck.

I came back to the apartment and told Eric I was going to drive into Pacific Beach and go to PENNYWISE, the used book store.  I had a bunch of books to bring in, and figured I’d just buy one Dick Francis, if he had any.

First, I waited for the laundry to be done and then went back to the laundry room and got the stuff to hang on the line and put the rest in one of the dryers.  Eric was kind enough to hang it all up and I left for Pacific Beach.

I was lucky enough to get a spot right across from the bookstore, but when I got there, I saw a sign in the window that said, “CLOSED FOR EMERGENCY VACATION.”  What the hell does that mean?  Is there such a thing?  I was so frustrated.  Were it not for the fact that STARBUCKS is right down the block, I would have been really mad.  But my frustration was eased by a venti mocha light frappuccino.

I headed back home and stopped at the shoe repair.  I had a pair of shoes that I needed to get fixed, so I brought them to the shop right next to KEILS.  I thought about going food shopping, but had left my list and coupons at home, so I figured I’d just go tomorrow.

I went home, told Eric that I had failed again at getting a new book to read, and he convinced me to try a CLIVE BARKER book he read, which he said I’d love.  I guess I have no other choice, do I?  The thought of going to work without a book is truly scary, because there could be hours with nothing to do and I need to keep busy – even if it’s just my eyes working!

I have talked with some of the girls in the office about decoupage and they seemed really interested.  I told them I used to teach and offered to teach a class.  They were very enthusiastic!  Since I know my days there are numbered, I figured I could teach a ½ hour class of just the basics of cutting, while telling them the history of decoupage.  We set it up for Thursday from 12:30pm – 1:00pm and I reserved a conference room.  I know my boss will be out to lunch at that time, so he won’t need me.

I have a prepared speech that I used to give at women’s clubs sometimes and I figured I’d teach them to cut, get them set up with pictures and scissors and then explain the history while they worked.  Cutting is very important and there are a lot of interesting techniques that you wouldn’t know if someone didn’t show them to you.

The messy part is the gluing, which would not be practical at work, but I figure if they’re interested to learn more I would be happy to have them over to the apartment one Saturday or Sunday afternoon.  They really are a lovely bunch of girls and I really like them.  I invited 5 girls, but two said they’re not crafty and weren't interested.  There are three that are very interested in the class, which is perfect.

So, this afternoon I looked through lots of pages I’ve ripped out of magazines and catalogs, but haven’t cut yet, and made a nice selection.  I found four small scissors and also put aside one of my “travel themed” decoupaged mirrors and my decoupaged “clock” vase, so I can show them the results of my labors.

After that project, I tried to get onto my ETSY page, so I could upload my logo, add my photo, and write my bio.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t get in!  I had no problem at work, but was unable to here, so I emailed support and hope to get a response soon.  I doubt if they’ll be reading it over the weekend, so I guess I won’t be putting anything up for sale for a few days.  Very disappointing.

I decided to make soup, so I opened a box of organic vegetable broth, added a can of “no salt added” black beans, a can of petite cut diced tomatoes with spicy jalapenos, some frozen cauliflower, frozen shelled edamame, fresh baby carrots, fresh mushrooms, and minced garlic.  I left it simmering on the stove for a while and then had a bowl for dinner.  Eric didn't want any, so I made him a small salad and he made himself some leftover chicken and broccoli (which I had made the day before) in a wrap.  I offered to make it, but he has a technique for cooking the wrap and likes it a certain way, so he said he’d do it himself.  More power to him!

I watched some AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL and some TOP CHEF episodes I had recorded, just killing time until the new SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE came on at 11:30pm.  There hasn’t been a new one in a few weeks, so I was really excited.  Also, Shia LaBeouf is the host and I’ve seen him before.  He’s very funny and absolutely adorable, so I was looking forward to it.

Shia was in one my favorite more recent skits on SNL, from last year.  It’s the one with the family who does a TV commercial for SOFA KING.  They already own MATTRESS KING, but now they’re pitching SOFA KING and everything is SOFA KING great; SOFA KING cheap; SOFA KING comfortable.  I didn’t even get the skit at first, until Eric pointed it out to me.  If you’re not getting it either, just say SOFA KING a few times!

Eric came in to lie down with me at 8:30, because he still had a headache (and a stiff neck), but he told me to wake him at 11:30pm for SNL.  This headache/neckache thing is chronic, and I don’t know what causes it, but I still believe its stress.  I think he was unhappy with the mountain biking, and that makes him stressed and the stress gives him the headache/neckache.  Now, I’m not a doctor, so that’s just my humble opinion.  If I could get him to go to a doctor, maybe he’d get a more qualified diagnosis, but since he won’t mine will have to do! 

I watched a little of SOME LIKE IT HOT, part of which was filmed at HOTEL DEL CORONADO in San Diego, which I visited with my nieces when they visited in January.  It’s so fabulous, and so historical—for that reason alone—but there are a lot of other wonderful things that have happened at this hotel, which has been around for almost 100 years.

I also watched a little of TRAPEZE, which I recorded when it was on this afternoon.  It is one of my all-time favorite movies – coincidentally also starring Tony Curtis!  The reason I love it is Burt Lancaster, one of my all-time favorite actors (yummy).  It also stars Gina Lollobrigida who had about a 20 inch waist.  She’s magnificent!

I remember when my sisters and I used to watch that on THE MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE.  Do you all remember THE MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE – on Channel 9?  The theme song was the theme from GONE WITH THE WIND.  Sing along with me -- Da, da, da da.  Da, da, da da.  Da da da da da, da da da da.

They’d play the movie over and over – all week long – so if you really liked it you could conceivably see it at least 5 times.  There were no VCRs in those days, so we’d take advantage and watch a film over and over and over.  I’m not sure when it all started, but this was in the 60s when we were kids and we’d be in the basement.

Those were the days!  Now, a million dollar movie is a tiny indie film that’s backed by a few guys from your old neighborhood!  Nowadays, in order to impress at all, it would at LEAST have to be called the $100 MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE, or no one would even bother to watch.  Am I right? 

Anyway, they are two of my favorite movies – one, because of the memories that watching it invokes; the other because it stars my favorite icon of all time – Marilyn.  I just adore her.  My favorite of all her films is THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH, which isn’t even one of her great musicals, but I think it’s just Marilyn at her best.  My second favorite is definitely GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, but if Marilyn’s on the screen – I’m definitely interested!