Peppy's Dream Moving Adventure Blog

When I got dressed this morning, I put my yoga mat and my yoga clothes right by the front door, so that when I came home it would be staring me right in the face.

All day at work, I thought about going and not going.  The place is just a few doors down from HAIKU SUSHI, so I motivated byself by saying that after class I could go get sushi to bring home.  That did it!  But I’m getting ahead of myself.  Let me start at the beginning!

The phone rang at 6:30am.  When the phone rings at 6:30am, it’s NEVER good.  It was Eric.  He was at DMV and he needed me to overnight his birth certificate, his social security card, and other proof he needed (6 pieces all together) to get the car registered and get his NY driver’s license.

When he was leaving for NY I asked him if he wanted those important papers, but he said no.  I wasn’t going to argue, and I actually thought they’d be safer here with me, but I don’t know why I didn’t think of the license and registration aspect, because we had to bring all of that when we went to the California DMV!

Anyway, first thing this morning I was back at the mailroom at the firm writing out another check and sending another overnight package to NY.  They must be wondering what the hell is going on!

Susan should have it by 10:30am tomorrow and she’ll take Eric when he gets out of work.  I’m hoping for the best – but you know how THAT’s been working out for me!

So, the other drama today was that the inspection service called to make another appointment to inspect the RV.  Remember, it was inspected last week -- and I had to miss 4 hours of work -- but they did a terrible job.  It was phone calls back and forth all day and I finally got them to agree that the inspector would call me an hour before he was going to arrive and I would leave work and go home, give him the keys, and go back to work.  I wasn’t happy about it, but it was better than waiting again.

Then, they informed me that the guy would not be driving the RV and that was something that the buyer really wanted.  When he found out, he canceled the whole thing, so I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’s not going to be inspected tomorrow.

I had a busy day at work, but the good news is that they have a new temp starting upstairs on Monday!  I’m going to be training her, but then I’ll be in HR full time!!!!  As Elsa said in her email, when she found out, “Yippee!!!”  I feel the same way!  I know the girls in HR are looking out for me, and they wanted to get me down there ASAP.  I really appreciate it and I’m just hoping this new girl works out and that she can pick up right where I leave off.

When I got home I changed into my yoga clothes and drove to Pacific Beach.  When I walked in I was greeted so nicely, and the girls were very friendly.  The place is very nice, clean and very trendy.  Lots of hot, young looking girls and guys walking around in very little clothing.  There was a Bikram yoga class right before mine and that’s where they heat up the room and you sweat your tush off.  They all came out dripping.  I HATE sweating, even though I know it’s very good for you, and I do enough of it just walking around San Diego, so I would NEVER take a Bikram class.

The first week is FREE, so the class didn’t cost me anything, and I can actually go for free as many times as I want until next Wednesday.  I thought that was wonderful!

Unfortunately, the instructor warned me that, although this is a beginner class, it’s very vigorous and the room doesn’t really get a chance to cool down after the Bikram class, so it’s still pretty hot in there.  Great!

There were about 20 students.  The room is really big and very nice and one entire wall is mirrored.  The instructor was young and sweet and very good.  The students ranged in age from about 16 to maybe 25.  I was AT LEAST twice as old as the oldest person.  AND I haven’t done yoga in over a year.  AND I’m very sedentary and out of shape.  Get the picture?

It started up pretty fast and she was doing a lot of flowing asanas, which means you go from one pose to another over and over.  It’s a lot of push-up style moves, where you’re supporting the weight of your body on your arms, and a lot of other strenuous moves.  I think if it wasn’t so hot in the room it wouldn’t have been so bad.  I think if it had been very hot, but not so strenuous it wouldn’t have been so bad.  Unfortunately, it was VERY hot and VERY strenuous and I started to feel nauseated.  NOT a good feeling.  The sweat was literally dripping off me.  I was soaked.  My shirt was soaked and I could feel it dripping down my back and chest.  UGH!

I had to rest a few times, and didn’t do all the poses.  She could see I was suffering, so she would suggest modified poses, which I did to make it easier on myself.  I wasn’t enjoying myself at all.  I usually love yoga, because it’s peaceful, and meditative, and strengthening, yet composed.  This was fast, and stressful, and strenuous and I was so uncomfortable.

When the class was over, I was dripping wet and my face was beet red.  I talked to the instructor and she said if I wanted to come back I could stay in the back in the corner and rest whenever I wanted.  She said that I did great and she could see I was struggling, but she said she thought it was wonderful that I stuck with it and didn’t give up. 

I told her I’m OLD, and I’m out of shape and I hate sweating and it was REALLY hard for me, but I’m going to go back.  I feel bad, because Elsa and Rosemary were interested in going, but they’re not experienced in yoga, and it would be ridiculous for them.  It’s really not a beginner class and I’m very disappointed in that fact.  I have taken yoga off and on for years, and it’s only because I already knew all the poses that I was able to do anything at all.  They won’t know the poses, they’ll be sweating, and I don’t think it will be much fun.

I’m going to be honest and tell them of my experience and see what they say – but I’m not expecting them to jump at the chance.  To tell the truth, if there was another beginner yoga class somewhere nearby that fit with my schedule, I’d never go back to this place.  It could be that they’ll all be like that.  Maybe they’re tougher in San Diego.  I don’t know!

After class I walked a few doors up to Haiku.  I got the lovely greeting I always get, but I was carrying my yoga mat and I probably smelled horrible, so they asked me if I just took a class down the street.  I told them I did and I deserved some delicious sushi for all the suffering I did!  I ordered a San Diego roll, which has no rice – just cucumber hollowed out and filled with spicy tuna, crab, and scallops on a bed of mixed greens.  YUMMY!  I also got an order of Shumai – the little dumplings.  They are always delicious!

When I got home I jumped in the shower, ate my sushi while watching PROJECT RUNWAY, and then worked on the computer for a while.  I’m EXHAUSTED and my body is really feeling the exercise right now.

If I can’t make it through a beginner yoga class, how would I fare if I took an aerobics class?  I’d faint or collapse in minutes!  I really need to build up my stamina.  At least I know I’ll get a good night’s sleep tonight.  I’m exhausted!  Oy!

I’m kind of regretting that I committed to that Focus Group on Saturday.  The $175 sounded great, but I’m SO tired and I have to BE there at 8:30am!  That’s just not fair on a Saturday.  You can be sure I’ll be heading to Starbucks before I go, and I’m not talking about decaf!

This morning the first thing I did was go online and track the package I sent with Eric’s info, so he could register the car.  It was received by my sister-in-law at 10:00am, so all was well.

I had to drive to work today, because I had my appointment tonight, and I was ready early, so I decided to drive to the drive-thru Starbucks on Balboa and Clairemont Drive (about 2 miles away).  It’s SO convenient and they’re so nice and friendly there.  That’s not to say that they’re unfriendly at the other Starbucks (in the shopping center), but they’re just REALLY enthusiastic, because they’re new!

Anyway, it was great to have my iced non-fat mocha latte this morning, because I was REALLY working hard.  I’m sending out a mailing of 183 letters.  I had a template of the letters, but I had to personalize each one with the name and address of the person or people it was going to, the saluation, and add account numbers and account names.

This is something you’d usually do with a merge, but we had a lot of problems last time, so I did each one separately – 183!  Then, I cut and pasted the addresses into labels.  We needed four sets – one for the envelope, one for the green and white CERTIFIED form, one for the green RETURN RECEIPT postcard, and one to give to the mailroom, so they could use it for their records (instead of hand-writing each one as they usually do).  Then, I had to print all the letters, make a copy of each one for our files and then I started putting it all together.

Each letter had forms that had to be attached.  There are different forms for different letters, so I had to look at each letter to see which forms were needed and how many of each.  I stuffed the envelope, put the label on it, then put another label on the green postcard, and the last label on the green and white form.  Then, I had to take this thin strip off the green and white form, which has the tracking number, and put it on the green postcard.  Oh, I forgot – I had to print out 183 of the firm's return address on labels, because they go on the back of the green RETURN RECEIPT postcard, so it can be returned!

When I had the stuffed envelope, the green postcard and the green and white form all completed, I paperclipped them together and started on the next one.  I did this 111 times between 8:00am and noon – and I worked on other things, too!  I have over 70 left, but I know I’ll be able to finish tomorrow, since I did over 100 today!

When I went down to HR, I had a big project to work on there, too.  First, Elsa and I drove to a nearby shopping center and picked up Greek food for ourselves and a few others girls in the group.  I got their vegetarian platter, which had falafel, grilled pita, hummus, and rice.  It was really good and I needed it after the morning I had.

Then, I started working on setting up some interviews.  The problem is, I was exhausted, and I had had such a crazy morning, and I was working on TWO interviews at once.  One interview was in one conference room starting at 10:00am and running in half-hour periods until 11:30am.  The other was in a different conference room starting at 10:30am and running in half hour periods until noon.  The problem is, I set it all up one way, and then when I emailed the people to inform them of where and when, I got it ALL mixed up.  I was ready to kill myself, but Elsa and the other HR girl I was working with told me not to worry, I could fix it tomorrow, and that they do the same thing.  They’re so sweet.  I really thought I had it all together and was being SO efficient, and it turned out I made some silly mistakes.  I’m just not at my best.

Fortunately, tomorrow is my last day working the two shifts.  Starting on Monday, I’ll still be upstairs in the morning, but I will now be training the new temp.  That’s more stressful, but it will just be for a few days and then I’ll be in HR full time.  Yahoo!  Yippee! and Wheeee!

I left a few minutes before 5:00pm and went to my appointment.  It was, as always, very helpful.  When I got out I called Eric.  He said he was okay, but he was not very convincing.  I thought he’d be happy, because he got the car all registered, and everything’s set and he can now go pick up the car.  Unfortunately, he sounded very down – and that’s with him trying to sound up for me!

When I got home I had some vegetable soup (the last of my big pot!) and watched TOP DESIGN, which was on last night. 

Tomorrow I have to try to get in touch with the woman at NY DMV, so I can find out what’s going on with the title.  I know they received it on Wednesday morning, but I just have to call to make sure everything’s okay and find out when they will be able to send it out.

There’s no real rush anymore, because the buyer can’t come down for a few weeks anyway.  He has a flight at the end of October, so the RV will be where it is until then.  I have been moving it up and down the block, so it’s not always in the same spot.

I can’t believe tomorrow’s Friday already.  This week REALLY flew by for me.  I am not making any plans, because I want to go to bed early, since Saturday really is another work day!   I bet you can all guess what I’m doing on Sunday – sleeping late and not doing much else!

This week flew by, but it was totally exhausting.  I finished up my project – 183 letters all sorted, stuffed, labeled, and the two forms completed.  I gave the last of them to the mailroom at about 10:00am and then worked on some other projects for the rest of the morning.  It was very sweet, because several people came over to express their disappointment that I was leaving the department and would now be in HR full time.

The thing about HR is that it’s totally cut off from the rest of the firm – because of privacy and confidentiality issues.  So, the only time you see anyone else is when you venture out of HR for some reason, or because someone comes to HR for some reason.  It’s not like working on the other floor, where there are a lot of people in different departments all using the same color copier (so you run into them there), or getting something out of the fridge in the kitchen, etc.  I’ll miss the socializing aspect, but I’ve got the HR girls to hang out with, so I’ll be happy!

Here’s the kicker on my big project.  We got an email from someone (outside the firm) at a little before noon asking if we already mailed the letters, because we used the wrong forms (which went with each letter).  We could NOT believe this guy – who knew we were working on this project for WEEKS and knew for at least a month that we had the old forms – called on the day they were being mailed.

When I left at noon the woman I worked with was calling the “big boss upstairs” to find out if they wanted to send out an email to everyone we were sending the letters to saying to discard the old forms and get new forms (they’re readily available to the recipients of the letters), or open up 183 envelopes, remove the old forms and insert the new ones.

I’m glad I won’t have to deal with it, because starting on Monday I’m training the new temp!  Elsa told me I am only able to train on Monday and Tuesday and, starting on Wednesday, I have to work full time in HR, because then the other woman is going on sabbatical and I need to be there.

Today was Elsa’s last day.  We were also celebrating someone’s birthday, so the woman in charge of HR ordered salad and pizza for lunch for everyone.  We sat in one of the conference rooms, but I just ate and ran, because I had so much work to do.  I'm really going to miss Elsa a lot, not only because we commute together every day, but because she's fun at work, too.  She also trained me a lot and she's a patient teacher.

There were 3 pieces of pizza left and I brought them home, because it was SO good.  There was no sauce – it was a 4-cheese pizza and I LOVE cheese!  I also brought home the salad dressings (they gave SO much).  I had a slice tonight for dinner (after I finished 2 loads of laundry) and I have two slices left.  I can have one tomorrow night with a salad, and another for lunch on Sunday!

I don’t know what I’ll be eating all day tomorrow, but they’re feeding us breakfast and lunch – probably bagels for breakfast and a sandwich for lunch.  I just hope they have tuna, because I don’t eat meat!

I spoke to Eric tonight.  He got his car last night and drove himself to the bus stop this morning for the first time.  Susan is finally off the hook and can sleep until a decent time.  She went above and beyond for Eric for the past two weeks, chauffering him around ALL the time – doctor’s appointments, DMV, apartment hunting, and driving him and picking him up from work.  She’s the best!

Today, after work he waxed the car.  He said it’s a mess, and not really a great car, but – hey – it’s just to get him around town. 

Tonight I watched a show that’s in its second season, but I never watched the first season.  It’s called TIM GUNN’S GUIDE TO STYLE.  Tim Gunn is the guy from PROJECT RUNWAY, but before that he was at Parson’s School of Design and he is a fashion mavin.

The show is just like WHAT NOT TO WEAR, where they take a woman who has no style and is dressing all wrong and show her how to dress for her body, her lifestyle and her age.  It was very interesting and I learned a few things, which is always great.

I’m definitely going to bed early, because I already set the alarm for 7:00am!  The subject matter for the focus group is Social Issues – whatever that means.  I’ll fill you in tomorrow!

It’s Raining!  I know that isn’t big news in most places, but this is San Diego and it hasn’t rained here since April.  You think I’m lying?  Exaggerating?  I'm not.  It’s true.  It has not rained here since April.  I had the front door open (as always) and walked by just now and heard a weird noise outside.  I looked at the pool and it was raining.  It’s RAINING!!!!!  I haven't heard the sound of rain in SO long.

Here’s the sad thing:  Today was the Fall Walkabout in South Park.  It’s held every season and it’s a night when all the stores stay open late and they have a street fair with vendors, entertainment and other festivities.  It hasn’t rained in six months and TONIGHT – when everyone is out and walking about – it’s raining!  I think that’s sad!

So, let me tell you about my day.

I woke up at around 4:00am, because I had a bad dream.  It was weird AND bad.  It took me a while, but I fell back to sleep and then woke up AGAIN at 6:00am.  The alarm was going off at 7:00am, so I kind of tossed and turned for an hour and then got up at 7:00am, showered, dressed and was out the door by 7:45am.

I drove through STARBUCKS (of course), and got to the place (which is on Hotel Circle right next door to the WAFFLE STOP!)  I parked the car and went to the building, which is circular, with a big courtyard in the middle.  In San Diego they often have buildings with courtyards, because they can be used and enjoyed all year round.

I signed in and was surprised and pleased that they didn’t give me a hard time because I was “Peppy” but had to show a picture ID, which had my real name on it (my driver’s license).  They had a raffle of $50 for everyone who showed up before 8:30am (it started at 9:00am), but I didn’t win (big surprise – I never win anything!).

I thought everyone in my group would be older, because they asked me if I was in the 45-54 category, but it turned out they needed all categories, because there were 40 people there ranging in age from 18 to about 60.

They had pastries for breakfast (pre-wrapped in plastic) and coffee with powdered non-dairy creamer or a little juice box.  Thank goodness I brought my STARBUCKS.  The only problem was, they wouldn’t let you bring any food or drink into the room, so I had to leave my coffee when it was time to go in and I was able to drink it on our frequent breaks.

We were shown into a large room.  The entire back wall was mirrored (they watch you on the other side of the mirrored wall).  There were 40 chairs set up auditorium style and there was a big screen in the front.  On each folding chair was a clipboard with paper and a pencil and a small calculator-sized computer.  We were instructed on how to use it. 

They would ask us questions, like what age group are you in: 18-25, 26-32, 33-40, etc., and you would press “1” for the first group, “2” for the second group, etc.  We answered a lot of questions and then were asked questions regarding the subject matter of today’s focus group – a law suit.

After we answered all the questions, a lawyer came in and talked for an hour and twenty minutes, presenting his case.  Obviously, if this was a real trial, and we were a real jury, it would take many, many hours to present the case, so this was a really compressed version.  Every twenty seconds we had to hit a number on the little computer, partly to let them know we were paying attention and staying awake, and partly to show how well they were presenting their case.  “1” was not persuasive/hurting his case, all the way up to “9” which was very persuasive/helping his case.

After he finished we had to answer more questions with the little computer, fill out some of the questionnaire on the clipboard and then we had lunch.  I was one of the first out the door, because I knew if they had tuna at all they wouldn’t have much.  I was right!  It was a Marie Callender’s box lunch – which was REALLY nice.  They had turkey, ham, and tuna.  It was on a croissant with lettuce and tomato.  There was also a really good coleslaw, a banana, and a piece of pie.  I had pumpkin, but I traded with someone else for cherry.

The sandwich was really delicious, as was the coleslaw.  I had a few bites of the pie and then they called us back in, so I just threw it away.  They were very strict about food or drink in the room, so I couldn’t really save it for later anyway.  I put the banana on the table, in case someone else wanted it!

After lunch another lawyer presented the other side of the case.   We did the same thing with the numbers.  He also spoke for an hour and twenty minutes, they asked us more questions, we filled out more of the questionnaire, and then we had a break.  Oh, I forgot to mention that after the first session they pulled a few people aside to ask them about their responses on the computer.  They are not only watching us through the glass, but they’re also watching on a computer to see our responses and how people are answering.

The woman in charge asked to see me after the second presentation, because while most people were being persuaded by the second guy, I was getting more and more critical and saying he was hurting his case.  I explained my point of view and she was very interested.  I guess I was not in the majority, and they were asking questions of people who didn’t “go with the crowd.”

Finally, we went back inside, the first lawyer gave his “closing argument,” and then we were asked final questions, which we answered on the little computer.  Then, we completed the final questions on the questionnaire and were divided into three groups.  We had a short break and were then put into three rooms around a table.  Again, one wall was mirrored, and they were watching from the other side.

Now, we were a jury, in the jury room, deciding on a verdict.  There were 13 of us.  We picked a foreman, and she began going around the room asking each how they felt.  I was sure everyone was going to feel exactly like me.  Boy, was I wrong!  I was in the minority!  They told us we couldn’t leave until we came to a unanimous decision, and things got pretty heated (you know what a big mouth I have – but there were a few others, too!). 

It took over an hour, but we did it.  Then, a guy came in and interviewed us one at a time and then as a group, asking us all kinds of questions.  Most of us had to compromise in order to come to a unanimous decision, but we all felt like we were doing the right thing -- and not just saying anything to get out of there.

We got out of there around 5:30pm and were given $175 in cash.  Nice!  It really was a very interesting experience.  I got to meet and interact with some very nice (and some kind of weird) people, and I made more than I make in a day at work – and it’s tax free!

I came right home and called Eric.  He sounded good.  We had a short conversation, and then I got undressed and worked on the computer for a while.  I made myself another salad and a piece of pizza, and watched HEROES, which I’ve recorded a few times but haven’t watched at all yet.  It’s a really exciting show.

I’m looking forward to SNL tonight, because I really like Ann Hathaway (of PRINCESS DIARIES, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and GET SMART) and I think she’ll be great.

Tomorrow I’ll be running errands, including food shopping.  I’m really glad I did the focus group today.  It was an interesting and profitable way to spend the day!

I ended up falling asleep last night at around 11:00pm, so I didn’t even start SNL.  I woke up at 6:30am, which I guess is enough sleep, but it just feels weird waking up when it’s still dark!

I decided to call Eric, since it was already 9:30am in NY.  We discussed a potential apartment in Whitestone.  It’s less than a mile from where our house was, and it was month-to-month, which means he doesn’t have to commit to a lease, but it’s right next to a gas station, so he wasn’t thrilled with that idea.  I’m trying to convince him to take it, because it’s not permanent – it’s just for a few months, and then when I get there we can afford a much nicer place.  For right now, he’ll be paying rent there and I’m paying rent here, but when we’re together we can get a place for a lot more and still save money.

I spoke to the realtor, and she’s really nice.  I found out her husband is a steamfitter!  Talk about a small world.  She has a few places in mind, and she said she’d see if that place was still available (because Eric looked at it a week ago) and if not she’d show him some others.  He may end up having to sign a lease, but if he has to, he will.

After we hung up I just watched some TV.  First, I watched SNL with guest host Ann Hathaway.  She's not a comic genius, but she did a good job, and she is SO beautiful.  So elegant and classic looking.  After SNL, I watched decorating shows I had recorded last night.  They have a nice line-up on Saturday night – DEVINE DESIGN, DESERVING DESIGN, COLOR SPLASH, etc.  I really enjoy all those shows and get lots of great ideas.

I had Cheerios for breakfast and then watched THREE hours of HEROES.  It was like watching a movie!  The first hour was a special show about a premiere party and they interviewed all the stars and showed clips from the upcoming season.  Then, the first episode was two hours.  It’s the kind of show that’s very bloody and gross – I mean REALLY gross and violent, but I like the story and the characters, and the actors are all great (and most of them are GORGEOUS).

After that, I tried to nap, but it was too hot for the windows to be closed, and too noisy with the windows open.  Little Drummer Boy has started playing the recorder.  Oh Joy!  He is SO obnoxious.  I looked out the window and his grandparents were sitting outside the apartment with him (he’s on the first floor, so they have a little patio in front of their apartment).  He was playing that thing loudly and right in their faces and I wanted to strangle him from the second floor, so I can only imagine how they felt.

Then, the grandfather got up and went inside.  I guess he had enough.  The grandmother said, “Where’s that big hug you promised me?”  He started skipping towards her, and I said, “Am I actually going to see him being sweet?”  The answer -  NO!  He skipped right past her – with her arms open wide – and went into the apartment.  It was SO mean.  When he came back out she kept holding her arms out, begging for a hug and he turned to a big plastic skeleton hanging from a tree (yes, they’ve already got their Halloween décor out), and said, “Here’s your hug.”  Evil!  I tell you, that child is evil!

I did a lot of cutting for a decoupage project.  I haven’t done any cutting in a LONG time, because I have so many pieces cut already, in so many different categories, but I’ve been commissioned to do two hand mirrors for a lovely woman who found me on the internet.  One is for her and will be bejeweled with jewelry mosaics.  The other will be decoupaged with a yoga theme, since her daughter owns a yoga studio.  I found some fabulous pictures on the internet (by googling “yoga posters”) and printed out a bunch at work on the color printer (so sue me, everybody else does it!).  So, while I was watching the decorating shows, I cut out all the pictures.  They’re really perfect and I know she’s going to FLIP!

I went through all my broken jewelry to pick pieces for the hand mirror.  She specifically mentioned purple and gold, and I don’t have all that much purple, but definitely enough to make it the predominant color.  I haven’t bejeweled anything since March, so I’m VERY excited about this project.  Unfortunately, I can’t start yet, because I ordered two mirrors on ebay.  Three actually – one for the decoupage, and two for the mosaic.  I wanted to be able to give the woman a choice of shape, and I will then do both – one custom for her, and one to sell at GILI ANNA’S.

I’m also waiting for the woman at work to give me the box she wants me to decoupage for her memory box.  So, I’m going to have a lot of projects to work on in the next few weeks, which is great, because I need to keep busy!

I didn’t go food shopping today.  I realized I didn’t need that much and I wasn’t into going out, so I stayed in and figure I’ll go tomorrow right after work.  I’ll be driving, so I’ll drive straight to KEIL’S and then come home with the packages, since there won’t be much.  I still have a whole case of SNAPPLE, so I won’t have anything too heavy.  Mostly fruit and veggies – that’s what I’ve been living on.

Today, I made myself a can of tuna and had that with salad.  It was delicious.  I am trying to use up everything in the freezer and cabinets.  I’m trying to save money and use up what I’ve already got before buying more.  Doesn’t that make sense?

I talked on the phone MUCH too much today.  I was communicating with the realtors who are trying to find Eric an apartment.  Geri called while she was driving back from dropping off her granddaughter in Philly.  I spoke to Eric at least 3-4 times.  I spent almost an hour on the phone with my sister-in-law, Susan.  My friend Andrea, in New York, called.  Jimmy called.  My friend Marygrace called.  I love that people are thinking of me and staying in touch.  I really do.  But my ear hurts!

I had edamame and one veggie “latke” for dinner.  I watched EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION and DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES.

I’m looking forward to work tomorrow, because I meet the new temp and start training her.  It’s hard work training – I know, because I did it just a few months ago for the girl who replaced me last time – but I’ll be out of there in three days, and that’s what counts.  When I just have ONE desk, and ONE phone extension, and ONE computer log-on, and ONE job, it will be SUCH a relief.  I’ve been doing this three months and I am ready for just one job!

I woke up at 4:30am.  Don’t know why.  Can’t explain it.  Makes no sense.  Yet that’s what happened!  I tried to fall back to sleep and gave up completely at 5:00am.  I called Eric.  He was at work.  I’m always afraid to call him at work, because he could be up on the ladder and I don’t want him to fall off trying to get the phone out of his pocket real fast to answer it.

Eric never had a cell phone until we left New York, so this is a whole new thing for me, being able to call and talk to him whenever I like.  He’s so sweet, too, because every time we hang up he says, “You call me ANYTIME you like.”  So, since I couldn’t sleep and I knew it was 8:00am in NY, I decided to call and, as usual, he was glad to hear from me.

After I hung up, I turned on the TV and watched a little bit of THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES.  That’s the kind of thing you can find on TV at that hour.  The only other thing on are news programs and tons of PAID PROGRAMS selling who knows what.

I decided to go into the shower early, get out early, make a trip to the STARBUCKS drive-through and get to work early, so I could get some stuff done before the temp showed up.

I was at work by 7:30am.  One of the girls has a boyfriend who just returned home from Bahrain after a 173 day tour.  I know it’s 173 days, because she was counting down for SO long and it was SO exciting that he was finally coming home.  I couldn’t wait to see her this morning and ask her how her big reunion went.  She was SO happy – she was practically floating on air.

I enjoyed my STARBUCKS, had my cereal and read my work emails and then the temp was brought upstairs from HR.  She’s young, cute, a newlywed, and very sweet.  We had a good time.  It’s no fun being trained – you have to think so much all the time and really concentrate, and it’s just a little better training, because you have to talk so much and explain everything so concisely.  Now, I love to talk, but I’d much rather talk about stuff I’M interested in, rather than about this job.

Anyway, the morning flew by and I tried to show her as much as I could without overwhelming her.  I will do the same thing for 4 hours tomorrow, and then will only be called on an “as needed” basis.  So, starting Wednesday I’ll be in HR full time!

When I went down to HR I was surprised and pleased to see there wasn’t the usual 101 resumes emailed over the weekend.  For some strange reason there were only 30!  I got through them in no time and actually got to do some filing and shredding.  Soon enough it was 5:00pm.  It’s different driving by myself.  I’m used to doing it on Thursdays, but I really enjoy Elsa’s company and I miss her already!

I called Eric in the car on the drive home and we talked for a while.  I went straight to KEIL’S and did my food shopping before heading home.  I got my veggies and a few other things, including a pack of FRESCA Peach Citrus Sparkling Flavored Soda.  I bought it last time Jimmy came, because it’s a favorite of his, and I wanted him to have his favorite drink when he visits this weekend, too!  I’m so excited.  I’ve been cleaning (more than usual!) and getting everything in order for his arrival.

I watched DR. PHIL which was about “Extreme Spenders,” people who live off credit cards and have no savings in the bank.  I don’t know how people can live that way.  I am too much of a worrier to ever live beyond my means.

After that, I watched DANCING WITH THE STARS and got up to clean and organize on every single commercial.  Misty May-Trainer ruptured her achilles tendon, which I have heard is the most painful thing in the world.  I feel so bad, because she's such an amazing athlete and she ends up harming herself so badly she needs surgery, and what was she doing?  Dancing!

While I was watching TV I also spent a lot of quality time with Conrad.  He is the sweetest bird in the world – at least the sweetest bird I’ve had since Duke.  Duke was SO special and I never thought there would be another bird like him – until I met Conrad!  Tonight I was petting him on his back and, although I can see it makes him nervous, he doesn’t move, doesn’t bite, and doesn’t fly away.  He just sits there.  He chirps more when I leave the room, saying, “Where you going?  Come back!”  It’s the cutest!  I can’t wait for Jimmy to meet him!

I signed up for another yoga class tomorrow night at a different studio.  This time I’m going to a place in SOUTH PARK, right near THE BIG KITCHEN.  It’s called GINSENG YOGA and the class I’m taking Serenity Yoga, which offers a moving meditation that soothes body, mind and spirit. Its gentle flow provides a sanctuary from the stresses and demands of daily life. Linking postures with breath relaxes, restores, and creates inner peace, preparing you for a restful night. Rest your mind, open your heart and experience the Yoga of true serenity. All levels, including beginner.

I’m really looking forward to it.  That’s the kind of yoga I’m used to.  The kind that stretches you, calms you, strengthens you, and restores you.  I need some restoration!

All you SEINFELD fans will recognize that heading immediately as the words Frank Costanza yells over and over again in one particular episode.  What I really needed is some serenity after the day I had today.

I trained the temp all morning, and it really started to get to me.  She wanted to gab and talk and not work, and I kept trying to get her back on track.  Then, when I WAS able to get her working, she didn’t seem to be concentrating and wasn’t absorbing most of what I was explaining.  Maybe I’m wrong, and she’ll be a genius tomorrow, but I kind of doubt it!

I also knew the woman I work with up there had to leave at noon today, so nothing much was going to get done once I went downstairs to HR at noon.  Here’s the funny part, I was trying to teach her really fast and get everything done that had to be done before we all left at noon (me to HR, the temp to lunch, the woman I work with home to wait for the SEARS repairman!).  I felt stressed, but I didn’t realize I was talking really fast and getting a little testy with her, until the other woman came by and said, “Calm down, take it easy.  You don’t have to get it all done today.” 

Then we all started laughing.  I was laughing so hard I thought I was going to tinkle!  It just suddenly felt so funny, and we all got a good laugh out of it.  When we went down to HR, she came with me, because she forgot her pass at home and had to get a loaner.  We told some of the girls what happened and then we started laughing again.  It felt good to laugh, because it relieved a lot of the stress.  I realize that I take too much upon myself.  I always want to give 150% and I want everyone else to, too.  I also am so afraid to disappoint anyone, and I can’t have a “whatever happens, happens” attitude.  I never could!

The afternoon in HR was very busy, too.  I had interviews to set up for three candidates – one of whom has to be flown to San Diego from Albany, California, which I found out is above San Francisco.  It’s complicated when someone’s traveling and this is the first time I’ve had to set up interviews in that situation.  I got a lot done, and then it was time to leave.  I was excited about my Serenity Yoga class tonight!

I called Eric as I was walking to the car and then sat in the car for a while and talked, because I knew when I got home I had to change and go to SOUTH PARK for the yoga class and by the time I got out of there he would be sleeping.

I got home, changed, did a few little things around the apartment, and then left for South Park.  I found a spot around the corner (parking can be difficult around there, so I was pretty lucky) and went inside.  It’s very nice and the woman behind the counter was very friendly.  She gave me a little tour, showing me everything, and told me I was going to love this class.

As you can see from the picture I showed last night, the room is very large with big windows one one wall.  The instructor had us all put our mats in a circle, rather than rows, so we were all facing each other.

While it was MUCH less strenuous than the other class, I was still sweating a lot, and it was still hard for me.  I’m just in SUCH bad shape that the least bit of strenuous activity is difficult.  I’m a weakling!  She didn’t have us doing strenous rotations of poses, but we did have to hold poses for what seemed like hours, but what was probably actually about 4 minutes.  That’s a LONG time to stay in a position that’s hard to begin with but also requires muscle control!

Anyway, I enjoyed it a lot and will definitely go back.  I am going to look at the schedule to see if they have that on weekends, because I think it would be great to do in the morning, too.

When I got home I was starving and made myself a big salad (enough for lunch tomorrow and dinner tomorrow night, too!).  I ate it while watching DANCING WITH THE STARS.

Tomorrow, I’m supposed to start full time in HR.  The woman upstairs wasn’t happy about it, and I told her I’d be there to support the temp and show her more stuff, but I can’t keep working this 4 hours/4 hours.  It’s just really getting to me and my nerves are frayed.  I explained that I’m training for 4 hours, and then getting trained all afternoon and my head is spinning!

Meanwhile, I just found out today that Yom Kippur is THIS Thursday.  I don’t know why I thought it was NEXT Thursday.  So, now I have to go to work tomorrow and tell them I’m not coming in on Thursday.  I hate to miss a day’s pay, but it’s the holiest day of the year and I just can’t work on that day.

It will be nice for me to stay home and reflect on my life and atone for my sins (there aren’t many – believe me!).  I’m also going to try to fast.  I always try – but never make it to sundown.  I get a headache and that drives me crazy.

I’m so excited about Jimmy coming on Friday night.  We’re going to have the BEST weekend.  Maybe it’ll be good for me to fast on Thursday, because then I can make up for it all weekend with Jimmy.  He’s going to hate me, because I’m going to be a very BAD influence.  I’m taking him to all my favorite restaurants and we are going to ENJOY!

You know that Al Pacino line from GODFATHER III – “Just when I think I’m out, they pull me back in!”  Well, that’s what happened to me today.

First of all, I got a little bit of a late start and then hit traffic after I hit STARBUCKS.  It was obvious I was going to be late, so I called one of the girls and let her know.  I was only about 10 minutes late, but I was horrified, because it was my first day full-time in HR and I was going to get to my desk after 8:00am!

When I arrived I apologized to whomever I saw and they were laughing and brushing it off as nothing, which it really was, but I still felt bad, because that’s how neurotic I am!

Then, I saw the woman I work for upstairs (the boss) come out of one of the HR girls’ offices and I knew she was mad that I wasn’t upstairs this morning.  When she left I went in and said, “Is she mad?”  She told me she wasn’t (but I knew she was), but explained that they still needed me and wanted me to go back up there starting tomorrow morning.  I told her I wouldn’t be here tomorrow, because of Yom Kippur, and the temp won’t be there on Friday, because she had some pre-existing commitment, so I’m starting again on Monday, but at least it won’t be every day and it will only be three hours in the afternoon – 1:00pm – 4:00pm.

So, I’ll get to do whatever I need to do in HR in the morning and then after lunch I can go up there and train for 3 hours and still have an hour when I get back to my desk.

It won’t be forever – just a week or two, until they think she knows everything she needs to know and I can go over things with her a few times.  It’s really for the woman I was working WITH, because she’s so busy she needs to concentrate on doing stuff, so therefore I need to help with the training.

I don’t mind, because this is a scenario I can live with.  It’s temporary and it’s less time, and it’s in the afternoon.  The temp really is very nice and she’s trying, she’s just not that sharp!

Meanwhile, when I saw the boss from upstairs leave I got upset, because I knew she was mad at me, even though the HR girl said she wasn’t.  With everything I have going on, it just got to me and I felt like I was going to cry.  I went into the bathroom and – with tears in my eyes – ran right into the cute young woman who just got engaged.  She said, “Are you alright?”  I pulled myself together and said, “I’m fine.  Really.”   Another HR girl was brushing her teeth, and when they left they both ran to the other girl and told her I was crying in the bathroom.

Next thing you know she came in.  I really wasn’t hysterical or anything, I was just trying to pull myself together, because I knew it was stupid to be upset, but I couldn’t help it.  This is something I’m working on in therapy, because the therapist pointed out to me that I try to be perfect and have these real fears about disappointing people.

I know it’s true, and I think I’ve always been that way.  She asked me who I was afraid to disappoint when I was a child.  I told her I didn’t really feel I worried about that then, but I guess if I analyzed it, it would have to have been my father, because he was much more demanding than my mother.  He really expected a lot from all of us, and I always felt like I let him down, because I wasn’t as academically successful as my two older sisters.  That was always hard for me, because I would be asked why I couldn’t be more like them, and I just couldn’t figure it out myself.

Later in life I realized I had other talents, which my father greatly appreciated, like my singing and dancing, but I guess that “need to please” stayed with me.  It affects me in a negative way, because I’m SO afraid of disappointing people.  It’s why I give 150% at a job, and I told my therapist that I thought that was a positive trait, but she said it’s only positive if it isn’t affecting me negatively.  Isn’t she smart?

So, here’s the thing.  The woman in HR told me I have to just do what I can, and not worry about getting EVERYTHING done for EVERYBODY.  It was good to hear, but I know it won’t be easy to actually do.  Anyway, I had a very pleasant rest of the morning and left at 1:00pm with my iced decaf latte from the café stand outside, because I thought I deserved a treat.

Unfortunately, the woman I work with up there had baked cookies with a secret ingredient – potato chips!  They were AMAZING.  Crunchy and sweet and salty at the same time (which is a combo I adore).  You would never guess they had potato chips in them, but then when she tells you, you know that’s why they taste so good.  If anyone is interested in the recipe, just let me know!  It’s actually online at work in the firm’s cookbook!

I only had 2 cookies (ONLY!), and then when I got back to my desk I had a bagel and cream cheese that was left from a present sent over to HR by one of the vendors.  They get lots of nice gifts like that.  Sweet!

I worked until 5:00pm, drove home, and my gas light came on when I was almost home.  Darn!  I was hoping to make that tank last until Jimmy got here.  You see, I HATE pumping gas.  I hate the smell of gas, I hate using the pump, because I always have a problem (at least I did the 3-4 times I’ve ever tried), and I have fire paranoia and I’m afraid the whole thing will burst into flames.  So, Eric ALWAYS filled us up since we got here.  When I was in NY it was easy to find a full service place that didn’t charge extra for the service, but here in San Diego there’s no such thing as an attendant!

Anyway, the good news is I did it myself – no problem – and it only cost $45 from an empty tank!  Eric filled it up right before he left, so that tank did last me more than 3 weeks.  Usually, I could go a month of just neighborhood driving, because I’m not commuting, but now that Elsa’s on sabbatical (and I miss her so!), I’m driving about 25 miles a day – which is about one gallon.

So, now I’ll be filling up less than every two weeks.  Boo hoo!  At least I’m saving money, because I was paying Elsa $5 a day to commute with her.  After a while she said I didn’t need to pay her anymore (she’s really sweet), but she drives completely out of her way to pick me up and it’s wear and tear on her car, and she won’t let me share in the commute, so I insist.  It only seems fair!

Anyway, when I came home I wasn’t hungry at all, so I got undressed and started watching TV and fell right into a deep sleep.  I had some WEIRD DREAMS, and didn’t wake up until 8:00pm.  One of my dreams was that there were two boys outside talking (which there might have been), but in my dream they were talking about ME!  Paranoid much?

I’m really going to try to fast tomorrow, but I know I’ve already blown it, because I didn’t eat before sundown.  I decided to have the rest of the salad I had leftover from last night, but didn’t have any dessert (I usually have my weight watcher’s ice cream bar).

I watched AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, THE BIGGEST LOSER, and TOP DESIGN – some of my favorite reality shows.  I know I’ll be up late tonight, because of my nap, but I don’t have to worry about getting up early tomorrow.  Wheeeeee!

I didn’t go to sleep until 1:00am last night and I woke up around 8:30am.  Eric called soon after and told me he was off today, too!  He went to the bank and got a check to pay the security and first month’s rent on his new apartment!  Yes, Eric is moving in this week to his own place in Whitestone.  It’s a cute 2-bedroom on the first floor with lots of windows, beautiful wood floors in the living room, a big kitchen and two bedrooms.  I’m excited for him, because I think this will be great for us, and I can’t wait to see it and stay with him when I’m in NY in November!

Meanwhile, I woke up this morning with a terrible pain in my neck and I know it’s from the yoga class the other night.  When we were first starting out, we were sitting our mats and she had us lace our fingers and put them on the back of our heads and hang our heads and just let the weight of our arms pull our necks down.  It was hurting me, but I thought it was because I was so tense and thought it was releasing the tension.

Well, I didn’t feel it that night, and I don’t remember it hurting yesterday (although I was so stressed and busy, who knows?), but it REALLY hurt this morning.  As the day wore on it got worse and worse.  I was fasting, but at 2:30pm I finally broke down and had a bowl of Cheerios, so I could take three Advil.  They really helped.  I then did three loads of laundry, and cleaned some more.  I know you’re not supposed to do anything on this highest of holy days, but I couldn’t help it.  I was in too much pain to just sit and I felt it best to keep busy.  I had a lot on my mind, but I couldn’t seem to clear my head and stop my mind from racing.

I took a fast nap in the afternoon and then went to see my therapist.  As usual, she was very helpful.  She is happy that Eric will be moving into his own place and that he is doing so well at work.  I know he is still missing me a lot (and I’m missing him just as much), but she and I both still believe he’s doing what he needs to do and what is best for both of us.

When I got home I made a big salad.  I wasn’t breaking fast, but I did have a lot to think about today and I tried to make the day as meaningful as I could under these conditions.

Tonight I watched UGLY BETTY.  It’s such a great show and I really enjoy all the characters.  Betty has been wearing colorful ankle socks and high heels with her skirts and dresses and I’m wondering if this is a new look for fall.  I’m not to excited about it, because I think it cuts you off at the ankle and makes your legs look shorter.  Any other opinions out there?

The apartment looks great.  I mean, it’s always clean, and I think it always looks great, but it’s truly spic-and-span!

I am excited to go to work tomorrow.  I don’t have to train the temp, because she won’t be in tomorrow, so I get to spend 8 hours in HR – first time ever!  Also, it’s FRIDAY – which is always a good day at work, AND Jimmy’s coming tomorrow night!  So, I have a lot to look forward to.  I just hope my neck feels better!

I woke up this morning and realized my neck was 90% better.  Boy, I’m a fast healer!  I don’t know if it was the 2 doses of 3 Advils I took during the day, or the cherry stone pillow I put in the microwave and rested on for hours.  Anyway, I was SO grateful that I didn’t have that searing pain radiating from my neck down my back.

I was so busy this morning straightening up for Jimmy that I didn’t have time to go to STARBUCKS, but I did stop at the coffee cart and got a hot coffee before heading to my desk in HR.  It was my first full, 8-hour, no training, honest-to-goodness day in HR!  I really enjoyed it!

The best news was that my new, clean title for the RV was waiting for me on my desk when I arrived this morning.  It actually got processed in ONE WEEK.  I don’t ever want to hear anyone say anything negative about New York DMV ever again!  Okay, I know there are a lot of negatives, and you can say them, but just remember that there ARE good people working there who want to be helpful!

I faxed the title to the titling company and she told me I have to send her the original.  I couldn’t do it from work, because you have to give them a check at the time you process your UPS or FED EX request, and I didn’t have any checks with me, so I had to do it after work.

Then, I got down to HR business.  There’s another temp working at the desk where the woman who is on sabbatical usually sits – which is right next to me.  She’s very sweet and pleasant and we work together very well.  Between the two of us, we are capable of doing most of what the woman on sabbatical does, so it’s good to have her around!  The other woman is such a dynamo that it takes TWO of us to replace her!

There’s another temp sitting at Elsa’s desk.  I think she’s an HR person, because she seems to be doing more than just admin stuff.  Maybe she’s an HR consultant.  I haven’t asked.  Anyway, she’s handling some of Elsa’s responsibilities.

I got a lot done and it felt good to catch up for a change.  I’ve been behind at both jobs for three months and it was really getting to me, but now I’m getting a chance to actually complete projects, and I get a real satisfaction from that.

I was so excited all afternoon, thinking of Jimmy coming to town.  At 5:00pm, I left and ran a few errands before I came home.  I went to RITE AID to get some liquid hand soap for the bathroom and I needed more greeting cards (I always need greeting cards!).  Then, I went to UPS and mailed the title, so that the titling company will receive it on Tuesday.  She’s sending me forms to fill out and give to the buyer when he arrives on the 25th.  The wheels are really turning now and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

When I got home I did some final cleaning and straightening (it’s really never-ending, because I can always find something else to do).  Then, I decided to take a nap.  Unfortunately, I had both sides of the window open in the bedroom and the Little Drummer Boy was outside playing.  Then, when he finally went in, it suddenly got very cool out, so first I couldn’t sleep because it was too noisy, and then I couldn’t sleep, because it was too cold!

I did relax and kind of half-drowsed for a few hours, but I woke up at 7:30pm, got dressed and then worked on the computer until Jimmy called at 9:00pm.  I jumped in the car, drove the few miles to the airport (around 5 miles) and he was waiting for me when I arrived.  He’s as tall, dark and handsome as ever!  I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since we saw each other.  Boy, time flies.  He flew in last for my birthday in December.  It seems like a few months ago, but it’s actually ten months!

I realized today that Jimmy and I have been friends for 17 years, because we met in 1992.  It doesn't seem like 17 years, but then again it seems like I've known him forever.

We drove straight to Pacific Beach and went to Haiku for dinner.  I can’t tell you how nice it is to go in there and get a warm greeting from every single person, including the sushi chefs behind the counter.  Eric and I had taken Jimmy there when he was here in December, and he specifically requested that we return, because he enjoyed their food so much.

The place was packed and we took the last table available inside (there are lots of tables outside, but it was a little too cool for me).  We started with Shumai and a Coma, which is fried jalapenos with cream cheese, and other great stuff.  Then, we ordered a Spicy Crunchy Scallop Roll.  It was all SO delicious and we enjoyed every bite.  We really could have gone for one more roll, but we decided instead to drive to Little Italy and visit Papalecco for some gelato!

We got there right as they were closing.  I got half and half mocha and nutella and Jimmy got half and half caramel and nutella.  Yum!  We oohed and ahhed over every creamy mouthful!

Then, we drove home.  I gave him the 3-minute tour (he had already been here, but it does look a little different now).  I introduced him to Conrad and he thought he was adorable (who wouldn’t think so – he’s the cutest bird in town!).

I told Jimmy I wanted him to sleep in our bed, because he is thinking of getting the tempurpedic style mattress, which we have, and I wanted him to try it out.  I also wanted to try out the sleeper sofa in the living room, because I’ve never slept on it and I was going to order one for Eric’s new apartment in NY, but thought I’d better check it out, since I’ll be sleeping there for 2 weeks in November!

So, Jim washed up and then went into the bedroom to read a little before going to sleep.  Then, I washed up and changed into my pjs, and Conrad and I settled in the living room.  I sat and blogged while Conrad watched me inquisitively.  I think he was intrigued by the sound of the keyboard and wondered what the hell I was doing.  He watched me intently the whole time I was working.

Jimmy and I have great plans for tomorrow.  We’ll rise early and go to South Park for breakfast at THE BIG KITCHEN.  Then, we’ll walk around the neighborhood in South Park, because there are a lot of great shops that I think Jimmy will enjoy.

Then, we’re going back to Clairemont for manicures and pedicures at HAPPY NAILS.  Jimmy loves the pampering of mani/pedis as much as me, so that’s something we can do together and chat while we are enjoying the luxury of having our hands and feet massaged and beautified!

After that, we’ll hit COSTCO, because I need to pick up a few things, and I want Jim to check out the tempurpedic style bed they have on sale there.  He goes to COSTCO in San Fran, so if he likes the bed he can buy one there and save about $500!

We are going to HILLCREST for dinner at TASTE OF THAI and then – who knows!  Maybe a movie or a show, maybe we’ll just hang out at the apartment and watch TV.  We don’t know what we’ll do yet on Sunday, but Jimmy’s up for anything.  He’s great company and he doesn’t really care what we do.  He just wants to hang out and catch up, have fun and enjoy the San Diego sun!

Today was a long day!  We were both up before 7:00am.  Jim slept in the bedroom last night, so he could check out the tempurpedic and I slept in the living room, so I could check out the sleeper sofa.  Conrad stayed out there with me, on the chest/coffee table, so he could be close to me, and I could be close to him.  We’re very attached to each other, you know.  I also wanted to make sure he didn’t wake Jimmy in the middle of the night, if he “flipped out” as he sometimes does.

Anyway, when I turned off the light to go to sleep, I decided to sleep on the side closest to the wall, so I wouldn’t be that close to Conrad.  Unfortunately, the bed is weighted on that side, and it tilted and I almost fell off!  It seems that if you’re going to sleep on one side, it has to be the “seat side” rather than the back that folds down, because the legs are more stable on the other side.  You can’t sleep in the middle because there’s a kind of bar that goes right down the middle, and is very uncomfortable.  I guess if Eric and I were sleeping on it together he would have to sleep on the seat side and I would sleep on the other side, so it wouldn’t tilt.

My nieces slept on it for 2 nights when they came to San Diego last January.  I have to ask them if they ever tilted it!  Also, my cousin Ilene slept on there for 2 nights when she came down a few months ago.  I have to ask her, too!

Other than that, I slept fine and thought it was very comfortable, but I still thought it might not be the best thing for Eric, so I went online and was actually able to find a nice futon that looked very much like the one we had in the basement of our house, and it was less than $200 at TARGET.  I will ask Eric what he thinks about that, instead of what we now have.

When Jimmy emerged from the bedroom this morning, we quickly got showered, dressed and headed out the door to breakfast at THE BIG KITCHEN.  It was just after 9:00am and there were still a few seats available.  When you go later you can sometimes wait up to 45 minutes to get seated.  Judy the Beauty was on duty, so Jimmy got to meet her!

Jimmy and Judy the Beauty (on Duty!)

I got the same thing I got last time – the grilled cheese with tuna on rye.  It’s to die for!  I only ate half (and my home fries) and took the other half with me, but I left it in the car for so long that I ended up throwing it away.  What a sin!

Jimmy got a giant pancake (it hangs over the sides of the plate) with scrambled egg and sausage.  He ate every bite (he's a growing boy!).

After breakfast we walked around South Park for about a half hour, down FERN STREET, where there are lots of great shops.  That’s where the WHISTLE STOP BAR is, where I did the craft show last March at the SOUTH PARK WALKABOUT.  The Fall Walkabout was last weekend – when it rained!

So, I only know one person who lives in South Park – Stephanie – one of the divas in the CRAFT MAFIA.  Jimmy and I are crossing the street and who do we run into?  Stephanie!  It was SO funny!  She told me that she was doing the Fall Walkabout last week and they decided to set up outside, and they had to close up and go home after an hour, because it rained!  I felt so bad.

After we finished our tour of South Park, we got back in the car but we noticed a lot of signs for garage sales, so we drove around a bit.  We went to a few, and at one I saw a beautiful etched mirror.  Unfortunately, it had a big chip on the bottom left corner, but the rest was in really good shape and I knew I could make something fabulous out of it with my jewelry mosaics.  I asked the guy how much he wanted and he said, “There’s a chip in the corner.”  I said, “I know – how much?”  And he said, “Two dollars.”  “SOLD!” I replied and Jimmy picked it up and carried it to the car after handing the guy two dollars.

I don’t know why, but it had what looked like 50 year old masking tape on it.  I tried to peel it off, but it was stuck – but good.  I knew I needed Goo Gone, or vegetable oil (which can be used in a pinch), but I didn’t have either.  I had extra virgin olive oil, but I wasn’t going to waste it on old masking tape!  I sprayed it down with my Seventh Generation version of WINDEX and let it soak.

We left again to go to the Clairemont shopping center for our noon manicure/pedicure appointments.  We first stopped at STARBUCKS for frappucinos.  I got a mocha lite and Jimmy got a caramel – with extra caramel.  It looked yummy!

We sat in the massage chairs and got our manicures/pedicures.  Jimmy had one girl working on his feet and another working on his hands, but I had Tina, my regular manicurist, so she first did my feet and then my hands.  We were done in an hour and Jimmy had arranged to meet with someone he knows through work who travels to San Fran occasionally but lives in San Diego.  We met her outside the salon at 1:00pm.  Her name is Marti and she lives in Clairemont!

We met her outside and we followed her to Pacific Beach to go to a Chinese buffet restaurant.  They had a wonderful selection of food, but we were all really good and didn’t stuff ourselves.  They even had sushi, so I got to try a little of that.  We stayed and talked and talked and talked and by the time we left it was after 4:00pm!  We exchanged numbers and I’m sure we’ll get together again, because I really enjoyed her company!

We then said our goodbyes and Jimmy and I drove to Hillcrest.  I wanted to take him to BABETTE SCHWARTZ – my favorite card and novelty store.  There’s so much fun stuff and we hung out there for about a half hour looking at everything and laughing a lot.  Then, we walked around Hillcrest a little, but it was suddenly chilly and I didn’t have my jacket, so we went back to the car and drove back to Clairemont.

I had gotten a $5 off coupon for a new TARGET that just opened on Balboa Avenue in Clairemont, so we decided to go shopping!  We spent about an hour in TARGET and I ended up getting some yoga clothes (I’ll try them on tomorrow to see if they fit), shampoo, and $1 reading glasses that are black and silver leopard!  They’re SO cute!  Jimmy got a new combination lock for his gym locker.  We love TARGET!

We got back to the apartment around 6:00pm and I was exhausted.  I asked Jimmy if he wanted to take a nap, but he said he’d stay outside in the living room and read while I took a nap.  I called Eric quickly (for the third time today) and then went to sleep.

He woke me at 7:30pm.  We hung out and talked for a while and then I showed him the premiere of KATH & KIM, a new sitcom with Molly Shannon and Selma Blair, which is a copy of an English show of the same name.  We both agreed that it wasn’t that funny and don’t understand why they don’t just buy the rights to the original and show THAT instead!

After that we checked out my $2 mirror.  Unfortunately, the glue on the tape hadn’t loosened at all and we decided that I definitely needed the Goo Gone or vegetable oil.  We decided to walk up to RITE AID, because I thought they’d have it.  They didn’t have the Goo Gone and the vegetable oil was a big bottle, which I definitely didn’t need.

We then walked to 7/Eleven.  They didn’t have the Goo Gone either, but they did have a small bottle of vegetable oil and it was only $2, so I thought that was okay.  Then, we decided to try KEIL’S, and of course they had Goo Gone, so we got that, too.

We went home and poured some Goo Gone on one piece of tape, and the vegetable oil on another piece of tape and let it soak while we went out to grab a bite to eat.

We decided to go to the STUDIO DINER.  I had a big bowl of their chicken noodle soup (which is really good) and Jimmy had a half tuna sandwich and a salad.  He loved the place, because it’s really got a fun atmosphere and the décor is very theatrical with movie props and film strips, etc.

When we got home we saw that the Goo Gone worked MUCH better than the vegetable oil.  I used a razor to scrape it all off and now it looks MUCH better.  I now have SO many projects to work on.  I’m doing three pieces for one customer who found me on the internet: a jewelry mosaic on one hand mirror, a butterly decoupage on a second hand mirror and a yoga-themed decoupage on a third hand mirror (for her daughter).

Then, I want to do this new big mirror I just bought and see if Gili will be able to fit it in her shop.  Finally, I am waiting to get the box from the girl in HR who is recently engaged.  That should keep me busy and out of trouble for a while!

We had a lot of fun today and hit so many different neighborhoods.  We were in South Park, Clairemont, Pacific Beach and Hillcrest.   We ate, shopped, had spa treatments, met friends, and relaxed in the apartment.

Tomorrow I have a few ideas about where we can go and what we should do.  We could go to the zoo, or the Hotel Del Coronado, or the beach at Pacific Beach.  Jimmy’s up for anything, so we’ll see how hot it is (it was hot mid-day, but chilly in the morning and afternoon into night), and what we’re in the mood for tomorrow.  Whatever we do, it will be an adventure.  It always is with Jimmy!

I did NOT sleep well last night.  First of all, it’s starting to get cold at night.  I had the windows open all day, so it got cold in the apartment.  When Jimmy went inside to sleep I finished blogging and then went to bed myself.  It was almost 1:00am.  I was tired and really cold.  I got into bed and tried to fall asleep, but I couldn’t warm up, even though I had a cotton blanket and then a heavier wool blanket.  All the windows in the apartment were closed, but it was still cold.

I decided to get up and put on the heat.  I was pretty sure nothing else needed to be done, so I just put the thermostat up to about 70.  It came on, but shut off pretty quickly.  I remembered that it’s a forced air type of heat, so every time it comes on there’s a breeze created and I was worried about Conrad, because he seemed to be pretty much in line with the vent.  I didn’t want him getting a draft all night.  He seemed fine and I could tell it wasn’t blowing directly on him, but I still wasn’t sure he wouldn’t be bothered by it.

I’m a light sleeper and I remember last year when we started using the heat, every time it went on and off the sound woke me, so until I got used to it I wasn’t sleeping that well.  Same thing last night.  Every time it came on, I woke up.  I finally warmed up, but now I was worried about Conrad, and hoping Jimmy wasn’t getting too warm in the bedroom (turns out he was fine). 

I didn’t get much sleep last night, so when he came out after 7:00am I asked to sleep a little longer.  I finally got up around 8:00am and we went through the same routine of showering, dressing and heading out the door for breakfast.

Today we decided to go down to KONOS on Garnet in Pacific Beach, right by the pier.  Unfortunately, when we got a spot and walked the few blocks to the restaurant there were at least 20 people standing on line.  Jimmy didn’t want to wait that long, so I suggested we walk over about 4 blocks to CAFÉ 976 on Felspar.  There was no wait and we sat inside in a little window seat.  It was a gorgeous day, but it’s now chilly in the mornings, before it warms up.

I had a Bagel Sevilla, which had hummus, tomato, lettuce, avocado and cilantro and a decaf mocha latte.  Jimmy had a breakfast burrito and regular coffee.  The food at CAFÉ 976 is really good, and it’s all freshly made using fresh ingredients. 

After breakfast we walked around Pacific Beach a little bit and sat by the ocean on a bench watching people swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, sunning, and playing.

There were people on the boardwalk riding their bicycles, roller blading, walking, and exercising their dogs.  We sat and talked and enjoyed the views for a while, then got back in the car and came back to Clairemont to go to COSTCO.

There were a few things I needed and Jimmy offered to go with me since he likes COSTCO, too!  I bought my vanilla soy milk, tissues (I had a $3 off coupon!), some sun-ripened dried pear slices (de-licious) and a NAUTICA men’s sleepwear set for Eric.  It’s a sueded jersey long-sleeve crew top in light gray with soft brushed flannet pants in black/white/gray plaid.  Eric loves these elastic-waist drawstring pants to hang out around the apartment when he’s not wearing his jeans.  I thought it would be great to send him a new set for his new apartment.

Last, but certainly not least, I got some STARBUCKS cards.  They had a deal for COSTCO members where you buy 4 $20 starbucks cards ($80) and get a fifth free!  I couldn’t pass up a deal like that, because I use my STARBUCKS cards so often.  I have an automatic reload, but it’s not like I get points or anything for using that card, so why not get buy these gift cards and get a free one?

They’d be great if you wanted to give them as gifts, because each comes with it’s own little gift envelope.  Unfortunately, I’m keeping them all for myself!

After we finished at COSTCO we drove back to the apartment to drop everything off.  Jimmy carried the heavy box of soy milk, along with the pjs and dried pear slices and I carried the STARBUCKS cards and the tissues.  What a friend!

I put everything away and then we turned around and went back out.  This time, we decided to go to La Jolla, because I wanted Jimmy to meet Gili Anna and see her lovely shop.  We drove around for a while, trying to find a spot (it’s always a challenge in La Jolla!), and finally went into a lot where you paid $3 with a credit card to park all day.  I didn’t think it was a bad deal and it was just around the corner from the shop.  We walked around, going in and out of art galleries.  There was one gallery that had a lot of DR. SEUSS original art, which we both loved.

We looked at all of those and then went into another gallery where there were giant landscape photos of all different types of locations – forests, beaches, fields, streams, mountains, sunsets, etc.  They were magnificent.  There was a young man who worked there and he started talking us up.  I expressed appreciation for a particular set of photos that were mounted together and he started giving us his spiel.  I thanked him and then we left.  I said to Jimmy, “Doesn’t he know I can’t afford that?”  Jimmy said, “That’s his job!”  I guess he has to try!   We walked in and out of a few more shops, and finally went to GILI ANNA’S.  I was so happy she was open and Jimmy got to meet her.

Her shop looked as beautiful as ever.  She always has such a lovely display of jewelry and decorative objects, including 5 or 6 pieces from PEPPY’S DREAM!

She’s such a sweet, beautiful girl and of course she and Jimmy hit it off instantly.  We stood and talked for a while, and I told Gili that Eric was doing well in NY, but that we missed each other a lot and it had been a very hard month for both of us.

She invited me to come over next Thursday as she is having some friends over and she said it would be fun.  I think it would be great, because she’s such a doll and I’m sure her friends are nice, too.  It’s always great to meet more people!

After we said our goodbyes to Gili, we walked around La Jolla some more and ended up at STARBUCKS (where else?) where I got to use one of my new STARBUCKS cards.  Then, we got back in the car and drove to HILLCREST.  I had been talking with Jimmy about PINKBERRY.  My cousin, Karen, in L.A. is addicted to PINKBERRY.  I’ve heard other people talk about it that way, too.  They call it “Crackberry” because they say it’s SO addictive.  I’d never had it in my life, and never saw one in San Diego, but of course Jimmy went on his Iphone and found one in Hillcrest, so we decided to go there to check it out.

We were getting hungry for lunch (it was after 3:00pm by now and we hadn’t eaten anything since our breakfast and a few dried pear slices), so we found PINKBERRY on Fourth Avenue and then decided to go right next door to a lovely little Italian place called ARRIVEDERCI RISTORANTE – nouvelle Italian cuisine.

We shared a salad with pears and sun-dried tomato and a small, thin-crust pizza with black olives, artichoke, and other veggies (I can’t remember what and it’s not on their menu!).

Everything was really good.  I had never seen this restaurant (or PINKBERRY next door) before, but I’d definitely go back.  They were very nice and the other dishes I saw people eating looked absolutely delicious, too.

The decor at Pinkberry is very simple, and modern.  Their floor -- inside and out -- is made of tiny pebbles and the motif on the walls and other decor is round circles, as you can see!

After we finished lunch, we paid the check and walked right next door to PINKBERRY.  We were very excited!  Jimmy took a few pictures with his Iphone.  Then, we asked about flavors, since we didn’t see anything listed.  They have their “original”, coffee, and green tea.  That’s it.  Three flavors!

The big deal there are the mix-ins.  They have all kinds of fruit, and all kinds of other toppings – chocolate chips, coconut flakes, Cap’n Crunch, Cocoa Pebbles, Cookies & Cream cookie crumbs, and other fun sweet stuff.  They gave us a tasting of original and coffee, so we could try it, but instead of a little plastic spoon (like at the gelato stores) they had the tiniest little white cup in the world.  We both decided to get a small coffee.  I got mine with Cocoa Pebbles, which I haven’t had in about 30 years, and Jimmy got his with Cookies & Cream bits in it.  They call it swirly goodness and it IS!

It is yogurt-based, and has that tangy yogurt taste.  We both enjoyed it – I loved the crunchy cereal in the sweet yogurt, but we both decided it had nothing on gelato!  Gelato doesn’t need any add-ins, it’s heaven all by itself!  Plus, the flavors are much more intense.

Oh, well, it was fun to try and at least we can say we’ve experienced it.  I’m not sure I understand why my cousin Karen is addicted, but – hey – people can’t understand my STARBUCKS addiction either!

We were very close to the airport, and it was now almost 4:30pm, so I dropped Jimmy off at UNITED for his 5:45pm flight.  I drove home, talking to Eric while I drove (big no-no), and then turned off my phone and immediately went to sleep.  I was exhausted and knew I’d have a great nap, which I did!  I woke up at 7:30pm and immediately called Jimmy.  He was back in San Fran, but hadn’t yet gotten home from the airport.

We had a great weekend.  We really did a lot, went to a lot of different places, saw some interesting people, made some new friends, and ate some great food.  The great thing about Jimmy is that he finds an adventure in everything.  He loves to shop, so he’s always up for going in and out of stores, he loves the beach, he likes to walk, and he’ll eat just about anything, so he’s easy to please.

I’m so glad he came down for the weekend.  He is great to talk to, also.  He knows everything that’s going on with Eric and has been there for me since day one.  He’s a really great friend and is very supportive since he really understands everything we’re both going through right now.  He just wants us to be happy and healthy and back together again.

Well, we didn’t watch much TV this weekend, so I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.  I’m going to try to get to bed early, even though I had a great nap, because I know 6:00am will be here before I know it.  I didn’t do much food shopping this weekend, but at least I’ve got enough soy milk to last me at least a month!

After a wonderful weekend with Jimmy it was a little hard to get up for work this morning, even though I slept really well.  I managed to hit STARBUCKS and get to work on time, which was great.

The other temp in HR and I had to take ID photos for 2 new employees this morning and somehow I managed to mess everything up.  We got the pictures taken, but then one photo wasn’t saved and we had to have one of the guys come back down to take his picture again – not for his ID, which he already had, but for the firm’s online directory.

Then, the camera was out of focus, and we couldn’t figure out why, or how to fix it.  We had to call tech support to come and fix it all – and they did it in 5 minutes – but I was so embarrassed.  We have two more pictures to take tomorrow, so I hope it doesn’t happen again!

This afternoon I had to go up and train the new KRM temp from 1-4pm.  She’s really sweet, but it’s hard going through everything again and again.  She’s been taking notes and she typed up a document to help her through the steps, so that will be a big help.  I think she’s having an even harder time than I had – which is hard to imagine – but I keep telling her I know this job is totally overwhelming and no one expects her to have it down for weeks – if not months.

Eric was off from work for Columbus Day (lucky boy!), so I spoke to him a few times.  When I got home we talked and then I spoke to the realtor who got him his apartment.  He’s getting the keys tomorrow and moving all his stuff on Wednesday (she has a friend who is a mover, so it was easy to arrange), but he doesn’t have a bed yet, so I doubt he’ll be sleeping there for at least a week.  He’s supposed to get a sleeper sofa or futon, something that will serve as a couch if company comes, but where he (and I) can sleep comfortably at night.

I didn’t go food shopping over the weekend and I was feeling too lazy to go tonight, so I just had cereal for dinner.  I also gained 2 pounds since last week (and I really don’t think Jimmy and I ate excessively!).  Boo hoo.  I just can’t lose weight.  Really.  Honestly.  Okay, I know I haven’t done much in that regard, but can’t a girl catch a break?

Tonight I watched DANCING WITH THE STARS.  If only they would put me on that show.  I’d lose 20 pounds in 3 weeks!  And it would be fun, too!  That’s what I need.  A dancing competition for amateurs and old people!  I think I could kick Cloris Leachman’s butt!

Tomorrow night I’m going back to the yoga class, but you can be sure I won’t be pressing on my head anymore!  I think the class was great, and it is definitely a start to me getting more active, so I want to go every Tuesday.  At least I’ll get these old bones moving again!

Today started out pretty good.  I went to STARBUCKS for my morning coffee, but the line was really long and I was afraid to be late, so I just got on I-5 North and headed to Del Mar.  Then, I remembered that I am due for a free latte at the coffee cart at work.  Each person has a card that’s kept in a rolodex on the counter and every time you buy a coffee they stamp it, and every time you buy 10 coffees the next one is free!

So, I parked the car and got my decaf mocha latte on my way up to the office.  I had a great morning, got a lot done, and accomplished everything I set out to do.  All was going well.  Then, my phone rang at work and it was Eric telling me he lost his job.  Today was his one month anniversary in NY and Thursday would have been exactly 4 weeks he was working.

This was bad news, but the worst is that he is moving into the apartment tomorrow!  He told me he didn’t want to move into the apartment, because he heard a thousand steamfitters were laid off and he is afraid he won’t be able to get another job.

I told him if he really wanted to stay at Susan’s he should stay, but he wanted to know what I thought he should do, and I said I thought he should move into the apartment.  I think it’s important that he have his own space, and some privacy.  If he had his own room at Susan’s it wouldn’t be so bad, but he is sleeping on the couch and still had all his stuff in boxes!  I told him I thought it would be great for him to have his things unpacked, and to have his own place.

So, with trepidation, he’s going forward with the move tomorrow.  I also think that knowing he’s paying rent will motivate him to try to find work.  I know it may be hard – it may be impossible – but I’m hoping he’ll really try.

In any event, he didn’t sign a lease – it’s a month-to-month apartment – so he doesn’t have to stay there if he can’t find work in a month or so.

I told him not to let this get him down.  He’s been doing so well.  I know he went to NY mainly because he wanted to go back to work, but the economy is such a mess right now, SO many people are losing their jobs.  Construction is always the first to suffer, because when money gets tight people stop building.

Anyway, I am going to keep my fingers crossed (as I so often do) that he finds work again soon.  I just have to believe it will all work out for the best – no matter what happens.

The rest of the afternoon flew by in a daze.  I was worried about Eric, and busy with several projects.  I didn’t have to go upstairs to train today, which was really a relief.  I don’t know if and when I have to go back, but I’ll just wait until they ask me, rather than asking them.

We’ve had a problem with the temperature in HR.  It’s always really cold in there. I mean it’s FREEZING.  When people walk through the door they always mention it, and we complain all the time, because it’s constant.  We have started to complain to the maintenance and facilities people and they finally were able to do something this afternoon.  After weeks of typing with icy fingers and sitting with frozen toes, it felt normal in the department.  We were euphoric!  I just hope it lasts!

When I got home from work I had a Fed Ex envelope from the RV titling company with papers for me and the buyer (who is coming on the 25th) to sign.  I had overnighted the title and they received it today.  I got the papers, which required my signature twice and my driver’s license number.  Now, I have to hold it for the buyer and get him to sign and take the papers when he comes.

This process is really long and tedious, but it all seems to be going along smoothly now, so we’ll just see what happens these last 2 weeks!

I took a fast nap (an hour) and then changed to go to my yoga class.  I signed up for 10 classes and paid in advance, so I’m committed!  I really enjoyed it again tonight, and she didn’t do the hands on head thing that hurt my neck last week.  I wouldn’t have done it anyway, but I’m glad I didn’t have to avoid it.

She’s really a great teacher and the things she says all during the hour are inspirational, comforting, and educational.  It’s a wonderful class and I’m glad I found it!

When I got home I made myself a veggie latke with some cheese and that’s all I ate for dinner.  I watched DANCING WITH THE STARS, which I really enjoyed.  They had the kids competition tonight, and the two couples were both under 12!  They were so amazing.  I get such a kick out of watching them.

My mom called me at 9:30pm, which is 12:30pm Florida time.  She’s always been a night owl (as am I!).  She’s so sweet and comforting, and she supports me so beautifully.  I couldn’t ask for a more caring, beautiful, and loving mother.  I’m so lucky to have her and I appreciate her more and more as time goes on.

I thought she would be so worried and nervous about me being here in San Diego by myself, but she tells me she doesn’t worry about me, because she knows I can take care of myself.  She just wants me and Eric to be together again, and be happy, and have a wonderful life together.  That’s all I want, too.

Yesterday I forgot to mention that I wore my new yoga clothes to my yoga class.  They made me look fat, but they fit perfectly and were VERY comfortable, so I decided I didn’t care how I looked.  There’s no one there I’m trying to impress, and the lights are SO dim and no one is really watching anyone else.  So, I wore them and they really worked great.

This morning I had time to go to STARBUCKS before I went to work.  I had a great morning.  Being in HR all day is a dream come true.  It’s as great as I imagined.  And they’ve adjusted the air conditioning, so now we’re not freezing all day!  Everything ran smoothly today.  We even took a picture this morning for an ID card and everything worked out fine! 

I started training the other temp who is working in HR so that she can help me with the HR database we use.  She’s very fast on the computer (better than me!) and she picked it up right away and got a lot done.  It’s great, because she knows I’m going to NY for 2 weeks in November and she said, “If you teach me everything, then I can do it while you’re gone.”  Smart girl!  It’s true.  If I get her up and running then when I leave they’ll have her to do the work and won’t have to train anyone.

Saturday I’m going to Julian with Rosemary – my friend in HR.  It’s a little town East of San Diego that’s supposed to have great antiquing and crafts and also has a big Apple Festival in the fall and it’s all about the apples – especially apple pie!

Elsa had told me that I should go to Julian with Eric, but we never had a chance, so at least I’ll get to go with Rosemary.

I was thinking about Eric all afternoon, because I knew he was being moved at 3:30pm NY time.  They got everything from Susan’s garage to his new apartment in Whitestone, but then he went back to Susan’s, because he doesn’t have a bed yet!  I can tell Eric’s not too thrilled about being in the apartment, because I’m not there with him, but I think it will be great for him and will definitely keep him busy in the coming weeks while he’s looking for another job.  He can unpack, set up, and organize and finally have this things out of boxes after 4 weeks!

When I got home from work I changed shoes and turned around and went back out with my shopping cart.  I haven’t gone food shopping since last week and I really needed some veggies for my salads.  I got lots of great salad stuff and a beautiful piece of salmon steak for dinner.

I sprayed some Pam on tin foil on a baking sheet, put down the salmon steak and just put a little wasabi mayo on top.  It came out great.  I then cut it into pieces and put it into my salad (and the salad for tomorrow, too).  The only problem was that it had a LOT of bones, so I had to eat very carefully.

Tonight’s my reality show night.  I watched THE BIGGEST LOSER (which was on last night), AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, PROJECT RUNWAY and TOP DESIGN.  I love Wednesdays!

I started working on one of my craft projects tonight.  The first thing I’m doing is the jewelry mosaic mirror and I already picked out most of the pieces I will use.  Now, I have to break off the clasps and backings, so that the pieces lie as flat as possible. 
Tomorrow night I’ll start the gluing.

My brother-in-law Rich (my sister Lenae’s husband) is coming to visit on Friday night.  He’s sleeping over, but I’m leaving by noon on Saturday to go to Julian and I believe Rich has plans with some San Diego friends.  So, we’ll just have dinner together and hang out until it’s time to go to sleep.

I haven’t seen my family in over a year – when they came to see us in July, and I visited them in New Paltz right after we left NY.  We never saw each other often, because we both my sisters live upstate and I lived in Queens, but we usually saw each other at least 2-3 times a year, so this is a long stretch.

I’m so happy we’ll get to spend some quality time over Thanksgiving, when we’re at my sister’s house in New Paltz.  Too bad my parents won’t come up from Florida, but I can’t really blame them.  They’re afraid it will be too cold and traveling at that time of year is crazy.  Believe me, I’d rather not be going to NY in November either, but it’s unavoidable – Jessica’s getting married!

I have to close, because Conrad is singing his heart out.  He’s pretty quiet when I’m in the room and only tweets or chirps to get my attention, but when I’m out of the room he sings nonstop (while the TV’s on).  He’s trying to get my attention and it’s the cutest thing.  He misses me, because I’m out all day, and when I stay in the living room a lot he’s definitely lonely.  Gotta go.  Birdie calls!

So, I did my food shopping last night, and my laundry tonight, which means I don’t have to do either over the weekend, which is a great thing!

Tomorrow night my brother-in-law, Rich, is coming to sleep over.  I’m so excited.  I did three loads of laundry, washing all the linens and towels, so they’d be fresh for him.  I’m going to suggest he sleep in my bed, just like Jimmy, and I’ll sleep on the sleeper sofa.  It’s really comfy for me, and I think he’ll like the tempurpedic-style mattress.  Maybe he and Lenae will buy one!

So, I got my usual STARBUCKS (I know – I’m getting into a bad habit, but it’s really only until Elsa comes back, because then she’ll be driving again and my STARBUCKS mornings will be over!).  When I got to work, Rosemary was already there.  She brought in bagels and cream cheese and do you think I could resist?  Of course not.  At least it was light veggie cream cheese, but I had it on a sesame seed bagel and it was so good.  I should have toasted it – that would have made it even better, but I just sliced it, spread it and ate it!

I had a good day at work – nothing too exciting, but no emergencies either.  We had a couple of candidates come in for interviews and there was this kid (and I say that, because he was only 22 and he looked 16) I had to pick up from a conference room where he was interviewed and get some forms he had filled out and show him out.  Meanwhile, the “big boss” – meaning the man whose name the company bears – who started it all in 1974 – was having conferences in shifts in the big conference room, so that he could give his “state of the union” speech and let everyone know what the current economic crisis will mean to the firm.

I told the kid who was speaking and let him stop and look in (it’s all glass – walls and doors) so he could see “the man.”  He really is “the man.”  He’s at work every day, he’s a regular guy, and he’s brilliant, successful and knows how to run a company.  All his employees adore him.  That’s the measure of success, if you ask me.  Anyway, the kid was starstruck and who can blame him?

When I left work I went to my appointment and – as usual – it was helpful.  We always have a lot to discuss and she really knows how to get me thinking.  Sometimes I wish I could stop thinking.  My mind just spins and rambles and goes and goes and it’s hard to turn off.  I wake up every morning before the alarm – sometimes an hour; sometimes 15 minutes – and I spend that time trying NOT to think.  It’s REALLY hard.

My yoga instructor told us to meditate and use the mantra “I am.”  On every inhale say “I” and on every exhale say “am.”  I try, and try, and try to clear my mind, but it’s impossible.  Stuff keeps creeping in.

When I got home I immediately got the laundry together and did my three loads.  Then, I had some salad and the rest of the salmon.  I’ll never buy a steak like that again, because it was loaded with bones and you have to eat so carefully.  I’ll just stick to a filet from now on!

I watched TOP DESIGN from last night and then UGLY BETTY, which I just ADORE.  It’s such a great show.  It’s funny, yet touching, too, and the end tonight had me with tears in my eyes!

I have to get organized, because I have my craft stuff all over the dining room table (not that Rich would mind – he’s used to craft stuff everywhere, because my sister is VERY crafty!).  I just want the place to look its best, because I rarely have guests and here I am entertaining two weekends in a row!

I told my mother and we were laughing, because what are the neighbors going to think with these handsome men coming in and sleeping over?  I’ll be the talk of the complex!  My mother said I should find an old Jewish lady in the complex and tell her Jimmy’s just a friend and Rich is my brother-in-law and then she’ll tell the whole neighborhood and I won’t have to worry about a thing.  Actually, I couldn’t care less what anybody thinks, but it’s funny to think about, isn’t it?  I’ve always wanted to be scandalous!

So, Bob had his window treatments installed tonight and I can’t wait to hear how they look tomorrow.  I can still remember the fabrics and styles we chose and it should be fantastic.  I will get to see in a few weeks as he is having a party.  He doesn’t have much furniture, and not many places for people to sit, but the windows will look FABULOUS!

I didn’t get STARBUCKS this morning, because I was so busy fixing up the apartment for Richie’s arrival tonight that I didn’t have time.  I drove straight to work and didn’t even stop at the coffee cart.  I had purchased INTERNATIONAL FOODS CAFÉ MOCHA this week at KEIL’S, so I figured I’d try it.  It wasn’t very good.  So, I wasted money on a jar of FOLGERS DECAF COFFEE, and now I wasted money on a tin of INTERNATIONAL FOODS CAFÉ MOCHA.  I better stick to my brew-a-cup STARBUCKS.  At least that tasted great!

I had a lovely day (as always) in HR.  I did a huge filing job and scouted the entire firm for box-bottom legal-size pendaflex folders.  If you know what they are, you know how great they work for large stacks of paper that need to be filed.  If you don’t, it’s not important!

Anyway, I got the supplies I needed, typed up a lot of beautiful labels for the folders and got it all organized and into two drawers in the file room.  I do enjoy organizing and making things look beautiful and work efficiently.  It’s the best of both worlds!

I trained the KRM temp for an hour from 1-2.  She’s not the brightest bulb in the bunch, I’ll tell you.  I explain things to her, and then a few days later it’s like I never spoke to her about it.  She even types up notes and instructions, but her notes don’t have all the details she originally wrote down, so she can’t work from the typewritten sheets.

Thank goodness I only had to work an hour, because my head was spinning when I got downstairs.  Everyone leaves early on Fridays, so the place was practically empty by 4:00pm and I snuck out at 4:30pm.  There was a lot of traffic, so I didn’t get home until 5:00pm.  I decided to lie down until Rich called when his plane got in.

He called at 5:40pm, and I got up, got dressed, refreshed my make-up, and organized the apartment some more.  He didn’t call again until 6:30pm – it took almost an hour to get from the airport to the HERTZ car rental place and get his car.  He finally got here a little before 7:00pm.  He put his suitcase in the apartment and we got in his rental – a silver Chrysler Sebring convertible (but the top was up) – and we drove to his friends’ house in La Jolla.

Rich is an optometrist, but I call him a “celebrity optometrist,” because he travels all over the world lecturing, teaching, and speaking about different optometrical health issues.

Lisa and John are also optometrists and have a practice together in Del Mar.  They both went to school with Rich, and have known each other for almost 30 years.

They have a gorgeous house up on a hill.  It was beautifully decorated with a mix of modern furniture and lovely vintage and antique pieces.  The interesting thing was that all the antiques and vintage pieces were handed down from her parents and grandparents, which is the best way to collect things.  She had a great vintage suitcase, and Lisa explained that her grandparents were from France and came to America with THAT suitcase.  I thought that was SO fabulous!  She also had their sewing table, and a few other tables and antique pieces.

I got to meet their daughter, Gina, but their other daughter, Lindsay was away at a Girl Scout’s camping trip in Julian – where I’m going tomorrow with Rosemary!

I also got to meet their 22-year-old cockatiel who looked like he was on his last leg, but was still very sweet.

We drove in John’s car to Prospect Avenue and had dinner at the CRAB CATCHER – the same restaurant where Kris treated me when she came in with Stephanie and Suzanna.  I had the crab bisque with a roasted red pepper shrimp broth to start.  It was so magnificent I would have licked the bowl if I could!

I then had the grilled prawns, which were herb marinated, over semolina fettuccine with roasted garlic, tomatoes and white wine.  There was so much food and of course I ate all the shrimp, which were grilled to perfection, and left most of the pasta.

John, Rich and Lisa at the Crab Catcher!

Rich started with a Ceasar salad and then had the Halibut (he said he had a hankering for the halibut, but I said, “Just for the halibut?”).  John started with a salad of wild arugula and roasted beets with teardrop tomatoes, fennel and a parmesan vinaigrette.

Lisa started with mussels in garlic and white wine and then had the Ono, which I had the last time I was there.  It has an Alaskan king crab stuffing, Thai basil potatoes, and a grilled blood orange beurre blanc.

We all enjoyed the food so much.  We shared a bottle of white wine, which Richie picked out (he’s quite the wine connoisseur).  I just had a few sips and also ordered an unsweetened iced tea.  John and Lisa treated us, which was so lovely and totally unexpected.  We were stuffed, so instead of having dessert there, we decided to go for a little walk.

We decided to walk to a local gelato place (which I had never tried before) called GELATERIA FRIZZANTE.  I explained to them that I was NOT wearing walking shoes (I had dressed up and was wearing a pink sparkly sweater set, a black lace skirt with a pale pink slip underneath and my VIA SPIGA black spiked heel mules.  They are DEFINITELY not walking shoes.  If we were going to go downtown as originally planned I would have worn practical shoes, because you could park blocks away, but I knew we were going to La Jolla where most restaurants have valet parking, so I figured we wouldn’t be walking much.

Anyway, I explained that I was NOT wearing walking shoes and asked how far away the place was.  John said it wasn’t far away.  We walked there (it was around three blocks) and on the way I showed them GILI ANNA’S and they were able to see a few of my pieces through the window.  By the time we got to the Gelateria, my feet were hurting, but it wasn’t too bad. 

Rich treated us all to gelato.  I got half and half coffee and chocolate.  They had some interesting flavors, but nothing that called to me, so I got my usual.

Rich got Bananas Foster.  I’m not sure what Lisa and John got, but we all enjoyed it and ate as we walked.  As we started walking back, John suggested we go a different way, so we could walk along the water.

Well, to make a long story short, it was at least a half mile and my feet were KILLING me, not to mention the fact that you don’t wear leather-sole Italian designer shoes when walking around city streets.  It just ruins them!  My feet were now positively BURNING and rubbing and hurting everywhere.  I was miserable.  John wanted to go a long way, so we could walk along the water, but I refused.  I reminded them that I had explained I wasn’t wearing walking shoes!  It’s obvious that Lisa doesn’t wear impractical shoes very often, because I could see he was totally oblivious.

I was telling Lisa that Eric is ALWAYS so considerate about things like that.  He knows I always wear high heels and don’t like to walk far in them, so he’ll usually say, “You stay here and I’ll go get the car.”  That’s my darling Eric.  My knight in shining armor.  He always takes care of me that way.

Anyway, we finally got back to the car (and not a moment too soon).  When we got back to their house, I went inside to use their bathroom and took my shoes off the second I got inside.

We said our goodbyes and I told them I hope I’ll see them again.  They really were a lovely couple and Lisa and I really hit it off.  There was never a lull in the conversation and she was interesting and funny.

Then, I had my shoes off in the car driving home, and I made Rich drop me off right at the entrance and I waited for him while he parked and I walked barefoot up to the apartment.

I washed off my poor aching feet and put some moisturizer on.  The thing that worried me the most is that I’m supposed to go walking ALL DAY tomorrow with Rosemary in Julian.  We’re going to go window shopping, have lunch, see the sights, and enjoy the day.  I don’t want to be worrying about aching feet!

When we got back to the apartment I told Rich I wanted him to sleep in the bedroom.  He put up a big fight, until he laid down on my bed and felt how comfy it was.  He then relented.  He was practically asleep in his clothes and I went into the bathroom to wash up and then came out here to blog.  He went into the bathroom, came out, said goodnight and went inside.  I’m sure he’ll sleep like a baby.  It’s SUCH a comfortable bed!

Tomorrow I’m going to take Rich out for breakfast, go to the post office and then wait for Rosemary to pick me up around 12:30pm.  I’m so excited to go to Julian with her.  She’s a lot of fun to be with and we always have a lot to talk about.  Everyone’s been saying what a fun place Julian is (Lisa said tonight that she wants to go soon, because it’s the Apple Season there and it’s all about the apples!).  I’m excited to have another fun day with a friend.  I had such a great time last weekend with Jimmy and it’s nice to know I’ll have company tomorrow morning with Rich, and then get to spend the rest of the day with Rosemary!

Conrad and I will have a cozy night together out here in the living room and Rich will sleep like a king on the tempurpedic-style mattress.  He’s going to be teaching all day on Sunday, so he needs his rest!

I slept like a log, but woke up while it was still dark – even though I didn’t go to bed until almost 1:00am!  What is UP with that?  As soon as I regain consciousness, my wheels start turning and I can’t stop them.  I end up dozing and having weird dreams for the rest of the time I’m in bed.  I got up a little after 7:00am, went to the bathroom and called Eric, but his phone was turned off.

Then, I heard Rich get up and go into the bathroom, so I figured my day had started and I’d stay up and work on the computer, rather than getting back into bed!  Soon, Rich came into the living room.  He called Lenae and spoke to her, and then I spoke to her and the three of us were kind of having a conversation and I was filling them in on everything going on with me and Eric.  They’re both very sympathetic and want everything to work out.  They both love Eric a lot and feel so bad that he’s going through all this.

I called Eric back and got to speak to him for a few minutes and Rich said hello, too.  Today Eric was going shopping with three of our nieces (Jessica – the bride-to-be, her sister, April, and their cousin, Stephanie).  He was going to buy a futon and other stuff he’d need for the apartment.  I think it is SO sweet that they were taking their uncle shopping.  Most men are usually unenthusiastic and totally overwhelmed with shopping for the home, and need a woman’s touch, so it made me feel a LOT better to know they’d be helping him!

Then, we got ready to go to breakfast.  Before we left, we were playing with Conrad and we freaked him out a little and the next thing we knew he was on top of the fridge in the kitchen!  Then he flew over to my desk and I got him on his extra perch (the stick I use to train him to come “up”) and he was back in his cage, no worse for wear.  I open his door all the time, but he’s usually not interested in flying.  The only time he’ll fly is if something scares him and he just – goes!

Rich’s friend had mentioned a fancy place in La Jolla to go and have breakfast, and it sounded fine, but I really wanted to take him to SOUTH PARK to THE BIG KITCHEN.  So, I asked Rich if he wanted to rub elbows with the elite in La Jolla, or go to a funky fun hippie joint where Whoopi Goldberg waitressed before she made it.  He chose THE BIG KITCHEN!

We were lucky, because it was after 9:30am, but we didn’t have to wait for a table.  Judy the Beauty was on Duty and she gave me a hug and thanked me for coming back.  I guess she’s getting to know me and remembered I was there last weekend with Jimmy!

We sat in a booth in the room with the three-sided counter and Rich looked at the menu.  I knew I was going to get the Breakfast Burrito, which has lots of great stuff in it, and Rich got a pancake, with bacon and eggs.  He enjoyed every bite of that pancake.  He couldn’t think of what it was, but said there was some ingredient that really made it taste fantastic – even without the butter or syrup.  He also said that as big as it was, it was light as a feather.

I thoroughly enjoyed my burrito, but it’s so big I could just eat a little more than half.  Rich really made a great impression on Judy, because she came over and sat in our booth with us and then gave us THE BIG KITCHEN fridge magnets.  That’s a new one!  Rich really enjoyed the whole experience – lots of visual stimulation (there’s SO much to look at in that place), the great music playing, the delicious food and the fun staff – especially Judy!

After breakfast we walked around the block and then I took him down the strip of stores I always go to – where Jimmy and I walked last week.  We walked around for about a half hour and then got back in the car.

We came back to the apartment, Rich packed all his stuff, he put it his car and took me to the post office, so I could mail a package to Eric.  I bought him a pajama set (it’s really a long-sleeve t-shirt with those nice flannel drawstring pants he really likes).  When I came out of the post office, Rich had the top down.  He had rented a convertible, because he knows that 360 days of the year it’s convertible weather in San Diego!

I told him I haven’t been in a convertible with the top down in about 25 years, but I was ready!  We drove back to the apartment and I was loving it!  He dropped me off and I went back up to the apartment and he was going sightseeing by himself. 

I hung around the apartment for about a half hour, then Rosemary picked me up and we were off to JULIAN.  It was a longer ride than I anticipated – about an hour – but Rosemary and I have so much to talk about and it was a gorgeous day, so we really enjoyed it.

When we got to Julian, it was packed with people.  There was a beautiful white horse on the street with a woman and she was advertising pony rides for kids for $5 around the corner.  We found out that Frankie the horse is 22 years old and his job now is just to stand around and be loved by all the passersby while advertising the kiddie rides.  I gave him some love – I just adore horses – and he was SO sweet!

We were pretty parched, and there were lines to get into every single restaurant.  Rosemary had a preference for a place called RONG BRANCH RESTAURANT (“Eat Right at the Rongbranch.”)  We put our names in and were told to come back in 20 minutes, so we went across the street and stood on line to get a soda at an ice cream parlor.  They hand out playing cards when you place your order, and then – when it’s ready – they yell out “Queen of Hearts?” or “two of diamonds” and hand you your order, or bring it to your table.  We were taking our sodas to go (mine was chocolate  and Rosemary’s was grape), so he handed them to us and we walked out the door.

The soda shop!

We walked back across the street, sat in the waiting area with our sodas, and then got a great booth in the middle of the big restaurant.  I ordered a veggie burger with a cup of pea soup and Rosemary got a buffalo burger with fries.  We were really hungry, so it didn’t take us long to polish off the food.  We decided to wait for dessert until later, to have a piece of apple pie, so we just paid the check and got back out there.

Eat Right at the Rong Branch!

We went in and out of all the shops on the strip.  Most of them were just regular gift shops (tons of Betty Boop!!!), or book shops, and some craft shops, but it wasn’t antiques or collectibles, so it didn’t really thrill me.  I was just happy to be with Rosemary and our conversations continued as we meandered in and out and up and down the blocks.

I knew my "Boop Friends" across the U.S. would enjoy seeing all of these pictures of Betty!

We got thirsty again after about an hour, and there was an outside vendor selling hot or cold fresh Julian apple cider, so we got to cold cups.  Then, we walked around some more!  Rosemary bought a little wind chime (just about 6 inches long) with a red apple on top, and I got some red earrings.  I have been wanting red earrings for some time, because whenever I wear red I never have great earrings to match.  These were pretty simple – just two red beads with some smaller red beads inbetween.  Nothing too flashy, but a big enough dangle to make a statement!

We finally got back in the car a little before 6:00pm.  We never did have a piece of apple pie – which Julian is SO famous for – and I do regret it, but I’m also happy, because I’m trying to lose weight!

We had a great ride home and I put in a BLONDIE’S GREATEST HITS CD and Rosemary and I sang all the way home.  She has a beautiful voice.  It was so funny, because she was telling me that she had an old boyfriend who would get annoyed at her for singing with the music.  I told her I ALWAYS sing along – with a CD, or the radio, and that I enjoy hearing other people sing, so she could sing her heart out – which she did.

I also told her that Eric was so sweet, because I ALWAYS sing along with EVERY song I know the words to and he’s never – in 25 years (and believe me – crossing the country in the RV, we put a LOT of miles on the road) told me to stop singing, or gotten annoyed.  In fact, sometimes I’ll say, “Do you want me to stop singing?” and he always says, “Of course not.”  He really doesn’t mind, and I guess he kind of enjoys it!  That’s my beautiful, sweet Eric.

Sometimes, I’d get Eric to sing, mostly because he’d enjoy showing me he knew every word to some song or other and he would be so cute.  He really has a good voice and definitely can carry a tune!

I had such a pleasant day with Rosemary.  I can see that she could become a really dear friend.  She’s very kind, really brilliant (she graduated law school, but isn’t interested in becoming a lawyer – she uses her education in connection with her job in HR), and a lot of fun.  She has a great sense of humor and a great laugh.  She’s a great girl! 

When I got home, the first thing I did was call Rich to see how his day went.  I found out he drove to Coronado Island, hung out at the Del Coronado (where he stayed many years ago) and hung out on the beach for a while.  He also drove around downtown and went to lunch in the Gaslamp Quarter.  Then, he went back to the hotel to relax and work on his lectures for tomorrow, which start at 8:00am in the hotel where he’s staying.  That’s convenient!

After I hung up with Rich, I did a REALLY stupid thing.  I decided to take a nap, even though it was 7:30pm.  I figured I’d wake up at 9:00pm, watch TV and do stuff around the apartment for a few hours, and then go back to sleep after SNL.  Unfortunately, I woke up at 8:45pm and decided to sleep a little more.  The next thing I knew it was 11:00pm!!!!  I got up, washed up, and sat down at the computer to blog.

I know I’ll be up until all hours now, but at least I can sleep in tomorrow (if that’s possible), because I have absolutely no plans, other than to do some crafting.

Meanwhile, I forgot to mention yesterday that, after several years, the film PRIDE AND GLORY is finally being released.  This is the cop movie starring Colin Farrell, Ed Norton and Jon Voight that was filmed on our block in Whitestone about 3 or 4 years ago.  It was really one of the most exciting things to happen in Whitestone – especially on our block in the twenty-one years we lived there!

I have NO idea why it took so long for the film to come out, and I was really wondering if it ever would.  I have a feeling it’s going to be a huge flop, because there must have been some kind of problem with it, but we’ll see.

Here are some pictures from the two weeks they were filming on our block.  I never got to meet Colin or Ed, but I DID see Colin several times, which definitely made my heart skip a beat.  He definitely does it for me!

This picture was taken from our bedroom window.  The house was across the street and two down from ours -- with the brown roof.

Anyway, if you DO see this film (I’ll probably wait until it’s on Pay-Per-View), look for the light blue house across the street from the house where Colin Farrell and Lake Bell live.  That’s the old Greenberg house – now the Weissman house!

Filming a scene at night outside the house -- Colin and Ed had a fight on the lawn!

All the snow you see was man-made.  They had a snow machine and sprayed all the lawns, because the movie took place at Christmas time.  Although it was February,  it was unseasonably warm and the snow melted right away, so they brought in huge rolls of cotton and put that down instead!

The fake snow gets installed.

Here's our house with the fake cotton snow and Christmas lights -- which I can assure you the Greenberg house never had before -- or again!

So, since I woke up at 11:00pm last night after my nap, you can imagine how late I stayed up!  I didn’t turn off the TV until almost 4:00am!!!!  NOT a great way to schedule your sleep!  So, I was up after just 4-½ hours, at about 8:30am.

The first thing I did was call Eric.  We talked for a little while and then I got started on my day.  I was determined to work on my jewelry mosaic mirror.  I am doing three pieces for this woman, Marlene – three different hand mirrors – and two would be very easy, because it was just decoupage, so I figured I’d conquer the hardest challenge first.

I worked for several hours while listening to THE FULL MONTY and SPRING AWAKENING – two of my favorite contemporary musicals.  The work was fun – as always – and I think it’s coming out great.  I always say, “it’s not finished until it’s finished,” because I can go back and add and add and add until I finally say, “Now, it’s done!”

Marlene had requested a lot of purple and gold, but I also have touches of green, red, black and pink.  I think it’s looking magnificent, and I can’t wait to photograph it and put it on my www.peppysdream.com/craftsblog.

At one point I felt the need to stop for a while, so I made myself some PROGRESSO “Light” Weight Watcher’s Soup and watched an episode of GHOST WHISPERER.  I enjoy that show.  I love Jennifer Love Hewitt and now she’s got Jamie Kennedy playing the part of a guy who can hear ghosts, rather than see AND hear them – as she does.  I’m used to seeing him play crazy characters, or doing his “candid camera” type brand of comedy, where he’ll wear a fake nose and play a joke on some unknowing person, so this is a total switch.

Then, I watched an episode of DR. PHIL, and some decorating shows, and then I worked some more.  At 5:30pm I took a nap and slept until 7:00pm.  It was really gorgeous out today, really breezy, and it was so pleasant to sleep with the breeze coming through the window.

At 7:00pm I woke up and started working on the mirror again.  It’s really done, but – like I said…

Then, I made myself a salad for dinner (and for work tomorrow) and watched last Sunday’s episode of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES.  I wanted to watch tonight’s so I had to watch last week’s first, didn’t I?  Then, I watched EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION.  They were in Charlotte, North Carolina this week, which is where Eric and I visited last April!  It’s really a beautiful place and we may end up there yet!  Finally, I watched this week's DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES.

I had a really great weekend.  Having a visit from Rich was so great.  Our dinner with his friends on Friday night in La Jolla was wonderful, and breakfast at THE BIG KITCHEN on Saturday morning was so much fun.  My day in Julian with Rosemary was exactly what I needed.  Spending some quality time with my new friend was so enjoyable and I look forward to more outings.

Today, I got to relax, but also did some crafting, which always makes me happy.  I’m looking forward to a great week -- and I’m praying that all goes well with the sale of the RV and it is finally picked up on Saturday.  That will be a HUGE load off my mind and I know Eric will be relieved, too.  When I think about it, we started trying to sell the RV at the end of August, and when Eric left on September 16th we thought we were close.  I never dreamed it would be over a month before I was able to close the sale.  This is something I am really looking forward to putting behind us!

Do you know how lucky I am that I love my job?  I really enjoy every single day there.  It’s amazing to me.  I’ve had jobs before that I liked, or didn’t mind, but the only job I loved more than this was running Peppy’s Dream for five years.  That was 5 years of heaven.

It’s so rare that you work at a job where you not only enjoy the work, but also enjoy the people you work with.  Usually, it’s one or the other.  You may hate your job, but love your boss or co-workers, or you may love your job but hate your boss and co-workers.  My very first job – many years ago – was a Gal Friday at Reader’s Digest.  For those of you who don’t know what a Gal Friday is, it’s more of an assistant than a secretary – someone who would do whatever needed to be done for one boss, or a whole department. 

From 1977 to 1979 I worked as a Gal Friday at Reader’s Digest in their General Books Division on Third Avenue and 46th Street.  THAT was a great job, too.  I LOVED my boss, who eventually became “Uncle Bob” to me.  We were like a family.  He was the father – a man in his 60s who ran the photo department.  His secretary was our “mother” – a very nurturing woman – also in her 60s – who never had children of her own.

There was a young assistant who became my “sister.”  She gave me most of my work, trained me and took me under her wing.  The other person in the department was like an older “brother.”  I had a great two years there and every day was fun and enjoyable.

Just to give you an idea of what a family environment it was, my boss had a toaster oven in his office and sometimes in the afternoon we'd toast English muffins and butter them and we'd all have tea and English muffins!  They also had a kitchen in the office and sometimes I'd make two boxes of macaroni and cheese and the 5 of us would have it for lunch!  My boss used to put tobasco sauce on his! 

Now, so many years later (30!) I’m in the same kind of family-type environment.  Everyone is SO sweet, nurturing, caring, considerate and appreciative of everything I do.  I don’t mind any task, especially because I want to do my best for these girls since they are so good to me.

Nothing exciting happened today, and I’ve no great tale to regale you with, but suffice to say it flew by and – before I knew it – it was time to go home.

I stopped at TARGET, because I wanted to get more of those $1 magnifying eyeglasses.  The last pair I got was 2.50 magnification, but they didn’t have anymore, so I got two pairs of 2.00 magnification and it actually seems to be a better fit.  The 2.50 may be a little too strong.

I also got some stockings, because stocking weather is coming.  I usually start wearing stockings in September and here it is the end of October and I’m still going bare-legged to work!

When I got home I ate a salad for dinner and worked on the computer.  Then, I watched TRADING SPACES from Saturday night.  I still enjoy that show after all these years.  Then, I watched DANCING WITH THE STARS.  Some of the couples tonight did the jitterbug, which is my best dance, so I really enjoyed watching them.  My friend, Artie, and I were expert jitterbuggers and used to do it ALL the time – professionally – in contests – and for fun.  We had such a great routine and Artie and I danced so well together.  If only I could do all that again, I’d lose 10 pounds in no time!

I wanted to do some cutting tonight, for a decoupage project I’m working on, but I can’t find my decoupage scissors.  I have at LEAST 10 pairs of decoupage scissors and they’re in a silver tin, but I can’t remember where I put the tin!  I have 4 or 5 pairs of regular scissors, but they’re too big to do small work, and I am so frustrated because I have no idea where that tin is and I looked around a lot of places but I’m not ready to tear the whole place apart looking for them.  So, for now, I’m not cutting.  Boo hoo!

Tomorrow morning at 7:00am I have a guy coming to pick up a large picture that was damaged in our move.  It’s an original lithograph of Marilyn Monroe that used to hang in our living room.

Yes, it’s almost a year ago, but I’m just getting around to getting it fixed.  The glass was cracked and the corner of the frame was broken.  If it wasn’t such an expensive frame I probably would have just gotten a new one, but about 15 years ago that frame cost $300, so I know it’s worth it to get it fixed.  It’s costing almost $200 (new glass and repairs to the frame), but I couldn’t get nearly as nice a frame for that price, and I love the frame.  It’s silver and black wood and it’s very dramatic and really shows off the art beautifully.

I can’t wait to get it back.  I’m going to hang it over the sleeper sofa.  I’ve really missed looking at it, since I haven’t had it on a wall since we took it down last August before the move!  It was given to me by a man I worked with at PricewaterhouseCoopers and is signed – to me – by the artist.  It says, “Happy Birthday to Peppy – also a legend!”  I adore Marilyn Monroe and this piece means a lot to me.  I was heartbroken when we discovered it was broken, but felt lucky that the artwork wasn’t damaged at all.

Anyway, I have to be dressed and ready at 7:00am, so I’ve got to get up extra early tomorrow.  I better get to bed.  Nighty night!

I started my day with a visit from the guy who is going to repair the frame on my Marilyn Monroe art.  He was really nice and promised me it would be as good as new.  I can’t wait.  I’m going to hang it above the couch when I get it back and take the three pieces now hanging there and put them around the apartment.  I’ve really missed Marilyn!

I was out of there by 7:15am, stopped to deposit my check at Citibank and then headed straight to work.  I just made my International Foods Mocha coffee this morning.  I added a little extra powder and it was better this time.  I always remember loving it and enjoying it so much, but it’s just not as good as STARBUCKS or the coffee cart!

I had a good day at work and had lunch with one of the girls I was working with upstairs on 6.  She’s the one who had a boyfriend in Bahrain for 173 days and he finally came back.  We went to a little Italian place called VILLA CAPRI, where Eric and I ate before the EARTH WIND & FIRE concert during the summer.  They have a nice lunch special and you get to pick a salad, entrée and they give you the thinnest, tiniest piece of bread pudding, which was perfect.

I had the Mozzarella Caprese – fresh organic tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, roasted bell peppers and and basil (fresh and delicious) and then had the ravioli with marjoram (I don’t even know what that is) and ricotta in a light tomato sauce.

My friend had the carpaccio with shaved parmesan cheese and spinach and gnocchi alla Tartufo – homemade potato dumplings served with truffle cream sauce, topped with shaved parmesan cheese.  It looked really delicious, but I’ve always found gnocchi to be a little too heavy.  I was right, because I ate my three ravioli and she took half her gnocchi home!

We had a nice time and it was great to get out of the office.   I only go out for lunch about once a month, so it’s a real treat!  Part of the reason is I try to brown bag it every single day and save money that way, but also there’s only one restaurant (the Mexican Tio Leo’s) that’s walking distance from the office.  The rest are a car drive, so it’s a real outing.  It’s not like Manhattan where you have your choice of 20 different restaurants in a 2 block radius!

I did a lot of filing all afternoon, and really felt like I was getting some exercise.  When I got home I took a nap from 5:30pm – 6:30pm, then jumped into my yoga clothes and headed to class in South Park.  I’m already finding that it’s getting easier to hold the poses for long periods and I am really enjoying it after just three classes. 

The teacher is wonderful.  Tonight there were 5 guys in a class of about 12.  That’s a lot!  I think of Eric doing yoga and think it would be SO good for him, but I know he’d feel silly doing a lot of it, and he also has that bad knee injury, so a lot of the poses would be impossible for him.  Anyway, in the past I’ve shown him some poses he can do and I think it would be fun to do yoga with him, just to get him to stretch a little and relax and be one with his body!

When I got home I had edamame and two sardines from a big can).  I’m still trying to eat everything in the kitchen cabinets and I had a can of sardines in tomato sauce.  I really love sardines and (according to my Mom), they’re really healthy!

I watched THE BIGGEST LOSER.  It’s the half-way point in the show and they’re all so much healthier than when they started.  It’s amazing how much progress you can achieve in 6 weeks if you work out 8 hours a day!

I’m exhausted, so I’m going to go to bed early.  I want to stop at STARBUCKS tomorrow on my way to work, so I can’t snooze 2 or 3 times, like I usually do!

Nothing thrilling to report.  No exciting stories.  No funny anecdotes.  I had a fine day at work.  I got a lot done, and had fun with the girls, as usual.

The highlight of my day was a trip to the coffee cart at 1:00pm for an iced, decaf, non-fat mocha latte.  Yum!

When I got home I went straight to RITE-AID, because I needed to stock up on all my NEUTROGENA products.  I am a true NEUTROGENA girl.  I use no less than 8 of their products – most on a daily basis!  I wash my face at night with their FRESH FOAMING CLEANSER, which has the best make-up remover in it, yet it's very gentle.  I always used to get mascara on my towels, but this gets it all off!

I also use their OIL-FREE MOISTURE with SPF 15 every day under my foundation, and their INTENSIFIED DAY MOISTURE at night – it’s creamier and I put it on a little heavier to sleep.  I use their ALCOHOL-FREE TONER, and their HEALTHY SKIN Anti-Wrinkle, Anti-Blemish (because – unfortunately – I have both) cleanser and clear skin cream.  I should do a commercial for NEUTROGENA, don’t you think?

When I got home from RITE-AID I called Eric and we spoke for a while.  He sounds good.  He asked me to take a picture of myself with my phone and send it to him on his phone, but when I tried it I looked horrible.  I take a terrible picture to begin with, and the phone camera doesn’t do me any good at all.  I thought it was very romantic that he wanted my picture, but I just can’t do it when I look awful!

For dinner I had more sardines (from the same can) with my last serving of edamame and watched ELI STONE, which I recorded last night.  KATIE HOLMES guest starred and did a big song and dance to HIT ME WITH A HOT NOTE -- a DUKE ELLINGTON song.  She was pretty good.  Who knew she could sing and dance?

Then, I watched AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, and TOP DESIGN – two of my favorite reality shows. During commercials I was working on the computer.  The woman who commissioned the three hand mirrors asked me to send her pictures and prices for all the pieces I currently have for sale.  A lot of them are on my crafts blog (www.peppysdream.com/craftsblog), but some of them weren’t, so I had to pull that all together and send it off.

Tomorrow I have to fax a form I received from the RV titling company, so they can be sure I signed in all the right places.  Then, I have to give it to the buyer to sign when he comes and then he'll drop it at the titling company on his way home with the RV.

The buyer is coming Friday night, sleeping in the RV and taking it Saturday morning to be inspected and have the emissions tested (which is REALLY important in California!).  PLEASE keep your fingers crossed that all goes well, because – if it does – I’ll never see that thing again and I’ll get paid on Monday or Tuesday!!!

I LOVED that RV and still have the fondest memories of our trip across the U.S. in it, but the sale has become such a nightmare that I just want this whole episode behind us and never want to look at it again!

Anyway, it’s the end of an era.  I really thought Eric and I would continue traveling around the country in the RV.  We only hit 26 of the 50 states and never did see the Northwestern U.S., but I guess we can always do it in a car.  It’s just that the RV is such a great way to see the country.  I highly recommend it!

I woke up early enough to hit STARBUCKS before work, so you know I started off the day right!

It’s gotten REALLY slow in the office and there’s another temp working with me, so there’s really not much to do.  Because of that, I’ve gotten a lot of filing done in the past few days, which is really great.  Today, I was over at an empty desk looking for something.  This guy used to sit there, but he left in the Spring.  I’ve noticed it’s a mess before, but today I finally had a chance to go through everything – all the drawers and cabinets, all the files and folders.

What a mess!  I hate to be sexist, but only a guy could be such a disaster at keeping his desk organized.  There were files from 2004 that just needed to be shredded, along with tons of supplies.  He quit and left on good terms, so why didn’t he make sure everything was taken care of before he left, instead of leaving it all a big mess?

The girls in the group are SO busy that the last thing they have time to do is go through his desk and figure it all out.  So, I did it today.  I couldn’t make the call on what to keep, discard and shred, but I was able to put it all in piles and one of the girls looked through it all.  Most of it was shredded or thrown away and a small pile was left for different people to look through, according to their responsibilities.

The desk looked great, and there was nothing hidden away that might be important.  I did a lot of running around, bending, carrying, and cleaning, but I figured it was good exercise!

When I finished my appointment tonight I went to MICHAEL’S to pick up some craft supplies.  Then, I came home, made a fast dinner of sardines (okay, I’m on a kick) and a veggie latke and watched STYLISTA, a new reality show about a bunch of kids vying for a job as an editorial assistant at ELLE magazine.  It’s great already.  A couple of bitches, a couple of bimbos – the usual suspects.  It’s very THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, because the editor in chief – Anne Slowey – is a total dragon lady.

I’m really tired – I don’t know why, but maybe it was all the cleaning and organizing – and I’m going to bed early.  I hope to watch UGLY BETTY before I fall asleep, but who knows?  Tomorrow’s Friday, but I know I have to be up late tomorrow night and up early on Saturday, because the buyer is arriving at around 11:30pm on Friday and will sleep in the RV.  He’s leaving very early on Saturday morning and I need to give him all the paperwork and a fast lesson on the workings of the interior before he goes.

Then, I’ll probably come upstairs and go back to sleep!  I have a hair appointment at 4:00pm and those are the only plans I have for Saturday!

I ended up going to sleep at 9:40pm last night.  I finished watching UGLY BETTY, and my eyes were closing, so I shut off the TV.   Unfortunately, I woke up around 3:30am and couldn’t fall back to sleep for a while.  I finally did doze off again, and I woke up again when the alarm went off.

I had time to go to STARBUCKS (I’m really getting into a bad habit, but it will end as soon as Elsa gets back!) and talked to Eric for a long time while I was driving (bad girl!).

I have not been this happy to see Friday in a LONG time.  It was a long week, but that’s not why.  It’s because the buyer is coming tonight to sleep in the RV and tomorrow it GOES!  With any luck all will go well at the various inspections and we’ll be a lot richer by Tuesday!

I had a great day at work.  It was quiet again and I got a lot more done in the organizing department.  I helped the girl who recently got engaged with a big project of rearranging all the forms for employees – medical, dental, life insurance, etc., etc., etc.  We got an entire wall of shelves looking beautiful and everything is easy to find.  We had a lot of fun doing it, too.  She’s so sweet and beautiful and a lot of fun to work with.

I went to Bob’s house at lunch time to see the window treatments.  He picked me up in HR at 11:30am and we drove to RUBIOS to get fish tacos and take them back to his house.  I inspected all the window treatments.  Everything looked fabulous – better than expected in some cases – except the master bedroom, which is what he was unhappy about.

The window treatment over the oversized sliding doors to the backyard was a total disaster.  The fabric was gorgeous, but instead of being drapes, it was just a flat panel of fabric that covered the door.  When you wanted to open the door, there was a rod you used to pull the fabric to the right.  Unfortunately, it was awkward and didn’t work very well and then, when you had it pulled over, part of it was draped in pleats and part of it was still flat.  It just looked weird.

We were both under the assumption that it was going to look like drapes – pleated and full – when it was closed and then even more full when opened on one side.  It looked horrible.

We ate our fish tacos, then got back in the car to go back to work.  When I got upstairs to my desk I sent him an email with all the complaints and how I thought it could be fixed, and noted a few other things that needed to be done.  He said he’d use it as a script when he called the window treatment girl tonight.  I’m sure she’ll be able to resolve the issues and make us all happy!

Bob is having a party on Sunday afternoon.  He invited some friends from his old condo, and some co-workers.  I will probably go, at least for a few hours, just because I think it will be fun to see people outside of the office.  I just feel weird, because most of them don’t know Eric is away (after almost 6 weeks), because I don’t see or talk to them on a daily basis.  So, it will be hard to deal with when they all ask where my husband is.  I can just say he couldn’t make it, but I guess I’ll probably say he’s in NY and leave it at that.

This afternoon the same girl I helped with the organizing asked if I wanted to go from bathroom to bathroom on all the floors so that we could replace posters they put on the back of the bathroom doors.  The posters are from some healthcare company offering help for depression, anxiety, etc.  The ones that were up were out-of-date, and she found newer ones while we were organizing.  We wanted to put them up in the men’s rooms, too, but we were too afraid, so we just did the six ladies’ rooms on all the floors.

When I got out of work I called Eric and told him I was heading to COSTCO and that I’d call him when I got home.  My gas light had come on in the PT Cruiser and I figured I’d go get cheap gas and then pick up a few items in the store.  I filled up (almost 13 gallons) and it only cost $37, because gas was $2.89!!!!  I thought that was SO cheap!

I bought some sushi (Eric and I have tried it before and it’s delicious).  They have these crab rolls and spicy tuna rolls.  VERY yummy.  I also bought two containers of organic tomato bisque and some fresh strawberries.  I’m thinking of making chocolate covered strawberries to bring to Bob’s.  I haven’t done the whole chocolate dipping thing in a long time and I always enjoyed it.  Besides, it gets a GREAT reaction!  People LOVE chocolate covered strawberries!

Unfortunately, COSTCO didn’t have milk or dark chocolate chips.  They only had bittersweet and semi-sweet.  They also didn’t have wax paper, which is key to making the strawberries, so I still have to go to KEIL’S for the chocolate and the waxpaper.

When I got home I talked to Eric.  Then, I had some sushi for dinner and watched BOSTON LEGAL, which I had recorded the other night.  Then, I took a nap.  I knew I was going to be up super-late because the buyer wouldn’t get here until after 11:30pm.  If I didn’t have a nap I’d be exhausted.

I slept from 7:30pm – 9:30pm.  I could have slept more, but I figured if I did I’d never go back to sleep later.  I got up, had a bowl of tomato bisque (OMG!  That is such good stuff!) and then worked on the computer a little.  Then, I watched GHOST WHISPERER and then it was 11:00pm.

I got dressed and waited for the call that my buyer had arrived.  I had prepared a flat sheet and a pillow with a pillow case, figuring he’d need it to sleep comfortably in the RV.  I was assuming he didn’t bring any of that with him, but I should have known he’d be prepared.  He’s a military man!  He brought a sleeping bag, but I told him that might be too warm and left him with the sheet and pillow, for which he was very grateful.

I also brought him a box of tissues – the small square kind – and showed him how it fits perfectly in a clear plastic dispenser over the couch.  It comes in very handy – especially if you’re allergic like me!

He came bearing gifts for me and Eric.  He bought Eric a “hydration waistpack” that holds two shatterproof sports bottles and has a zipper compartment for your wallet, keys, etc.  It’s definitely something Eric would love, if he ever goes mountain biking again.  I don't ask many questions, but as far as I know he has only ridden his bicycle about 3 times since he got there almost 6 weeks ago, and only once was in the woods.  I don't know why, because that was one of the main reasons why he went back to NY, but he's just too depressed, I guess.

Anyway, my gift was Betty Boop floor mats for the PT Cruiser!  I thought that was SO generous and sweet.  He said he and his mom went online and shopped for something Betty that was practical and useful.  I have ALWAYS wanted the floor mats, but felt bad putting my feet on her face, so I never invested.  I think they’ll jazz up the PT and they’re SO adorable!!!!  He is such a nice man and I am so lucky to have found someone so kind – and honest – which which to go through this nightmarish transaction!

By midnight I was back in the apartment.  He asked if I wanted to go out to breakfast tomorrow and I told him that would be great.  He asked if there’s a place close by and I know there’s a DENNY’S about 2 miles from here, so I mentioned that and he said that would be fine.  His first stop is at 10:00am at AAA so he can get the emissions tested.  Then, he’s off to get the interior of the RV tested.

I was relieved to find the coach battery was still working – after not being used for so many months – because I turned on the lights and showed him where all the switches were.  I thought I would show him more, but I could see he was exhausted and had a long, long day.  He had flown from San Francisco after working all day and he said he just made it to the airport right before the plane took off, so it must have been stressful.

I know he’ll get a good night’s sleep.  It’s a pretty quiet neighborhood, even parked on Clairemont Drive, and that couch is as comfy as they come!  I’ll probably be up for hours, since I had that nap, and I’ll probably be EXHAUSTED in the morning, but – hey – I can always go back to sleep when I get back from breakfast and running a few errands!!!!

I hate to say it before it happens, because I don’t want to jinx myself, but the buyer DID drive away in the RV today and it’s now 8:16pm and he hasn’t come back yet!

After I left the buyer in the RV to sleep for the night, I came back upstairs and watched TV for a few hours.  I just wasn’t tired.  I finally turned off the TV around 2:00am and slept until 8:00am.  He called and I jumped in the shower and then he came up and took a shower, too.  He said he didn’t want to inconvenience me, but I really felt bad not letting him use the bathroom!  He also told me he couldn’t fall asleep for a few hours, because every time a car passed the RV rocked a little.

I forgot about that.  It’s pretty heavy, but the speed of a passing car causes some wind and it actually rocks the RV.  We never dealt with that at night, because we were always parked in campgrounds, but during the day if we were pulled over and I was napping, I could feel it.

Otherwise, he was very comfortable.  He went online and pushed a button at the escrow website saying he had “received the vehicle” and then we went to DENNY’S for breakfast.  He had the Grand Slam and I had the Moon Over My Hammy without the Ham.  We called it the Moon Over No Hammy.

After breakfast we drove back to the apartment, he picked up his laptop and a few other things and we parted ways.  He told me he would call me later to let me know what was happening and how it all went.

I decided to relax for a while and figured I’d take a nap, but I never did.  I watched an episode of HEROES and worked on the computer.  Then, I went food shopping, picking up the wax paper and chocolate chips to make the chocolate-dipped strawberries. 

Unfortunately, the woman for whom I made the hand mirror emailed me about meeting tomorrow and I don’t want to disappoint her, so I’m not making the strawberries tonight.  She told me she’d let me know for sure in the morning, so if I do meet her I may not go to the party (or I’ll go very late).  If I don’t meet her I can make the chocolate-covered strawberries in the morning before I go.

Before I bejeweled this hand mirror, it was pretty, but nothing special.  It also showed a lot of wear and tear.

Marlene wanted to replace a broken hand mirror and asked for purples and golds.  I think this is now fit for royalty!

After food shopping I went through the drive-through STARBUCKS and then went to the shopping center for a pedicure with Tina.  Then, I went into TJ Maxx looking for clothes and ended up buying two pairs of the cutest suede pointed-toe sling-backs from BCBG Girls.  They are SO comfortable and perfect for fall!

I finally heard from the buyer.  All went well with the emissions test (I really wasn’t worried, because I knew the engine was in great shape), but he was not able to get the VIN # verified, which is something you have to do before the sale can go through.  No one told him that a regular garage can’t verify an out-of-state vehicle.  So, now he has to stay by his mother’s house (about 5 hours north of here) an extra day and go to DMV there on Monday, because apparently they CAN verify an out-of-state VIN #.

So, I probably won’t get paid on Monday, but maybe Tuesday.  It’s never ending, isn’t it?  Every time you think nothing else can go wrong, something else does.  I’m not really worried, because I know he’ll take care of it (he’s very responsible), but it’s just a pain.  Also, he has my plates (because he couldn’t drive it without them, and he can’t get them until he has all the paperwork completed), so he’ll be sending them directly to NYS DMV for me, so I can then cancel the insurance.  He already has it insured (as of 12:01am this morning), but he still needed plates to drive.

When I was finished shopping and talking with him, I drove to Hillcrest for my cut and color with John.  I told him I want to cut my hair short, but I have to wait until I lose weight.  Every 4 weeks when I go, he says, “Is today the day?” and I keep telling him no, because I haven’t lost the weight yet.  I doubt if I ever will.

When I got home I watched another episode of HEROES (I’m now all caught up) and had more sushi.  Yum!  I spoke to Eric a few times today and he sounded good.  We really miss each other more than words can say.

After relaxing for a while I did two loads of laundry.  I got to see the building manager’s new baby – she’s now about 2 weeks old.  She’s SO cute and little and sweet.  I love babies!

I don’t know if I mentioned this before but in my MARTHA STEWART LIVING magazine they had a skeleton and an owl you could cut out for Halloween decorations.  I made a bunch of color copies and have been cutting them out for the past week.  I want to make an owl and a skeleton for each girl in HR, so they have decorations on their desks.  The wings on the owl and the arms and legs on the skeleton are separate and you put them together with brads (little metal clips), so that they can move up and down.  They look really good.  The skeleton is about 10” long and the owl is about 5” long.  It’s a lot of cutting, but I’m used to that!

So, tomorrow is totally up in the air.  I’ll either be driving north about an hour to meet this lovely woman for whom I am making all the new pieces (decoupage and jewelry mosaics).  She wants me to do another mirror and will be bringing me the mirror and all her 80s big jewelry for me to use.  It will save her money on shipping, and save me money shipping the bejeweled hand mirror to her, and I also won’t have to worry about it breaking!

If I don’t meet her tomorrow, we’ll meet next weekend, and I can go to Bob’s party, even though I will feel a little awkward.  At least I’ll be very popular with the chocolate-covered strawberries!

The buyer finally called me after 9:00pm last night.  I was SO worried about him, because when I spoke to him at 2:30pm he told me it was a 5 hour drive, which meant he should have arrived around 7:30pm.  When I didn’t hear from him at 8:30pm I left a message on his cell (which was turned off) and must have sounded like his mother, because I told him I was worried about him.

When I still didn’t hear at 9:00pm, I left another message on his cell (which was still turned off) and I must have sounded like a stalker, because I told him I didn’t understand why he wasn’t calling me and didn’t he know how worried I was about him.

I really WAS worried, because he had only driven an RV once before – the last time he was here to take it to the MOSSY FORD place to be inspected.  So, I was rather nervous about a 5 hour trip by himself!  Fortunately, all was well and it just took longer than he expected.  He’ll be staying at his Mom’s tonight and tomorrow will go to the local DMV for the VIN # verification.  Hopefully, all will go well and then he’ll be back home on Monday night.

I was asleep by midnight last night and only got to watch the first 20 minutes of SNL.  Amy Poehler wasn’t on – because she had her baby, which they named “Archie.”  I think that’s saddling the kid for life, but what do I know.

The star was a guy I never heard of before – Jon Hamm – who currently stars in MAD MEN, a show I’ve never watched (but should, since it takes place in the 1960s and I’m sure the vintage cars, furniture and clothing would thrill me!).  He did a great job and it was a fun show.  I finished watching it this morning when I woke up!

Last night, while I was watching TV, I cut out a bunch of the Halloween skeletons and owls and I now have enough for all the girls in HR!  I’ll put one of each on their desks.  They’ll be thrilled!

So, this morning I was waiting for a call or an email from the woman I had tentatively planned to meet today, and I finally heard from her at about 10:30am.  She said another day would be better, and I guess I was happy, because I DID buy everything to make the chocolate-covered strawberries!  I washed them and laid them all out to dry (you have to be sure the strawberries (or anything you use) is perfectly dry, or the chocolate will clump).

I did some stuff around the apartment and figured out what I was going to wear and then I started melting the chocolate.  I started with the milk chocolate.  I had a big container of strawberries from COSTCO, so it took me two baking sheets and a small try to fit them all.  When they were all in the fridge I jumped in the shower.  When I was finished in the shower it was time to to the second round of dipping – covering part of the milk chocolate with the dark chocolate.

When that was done I got dressed (my black t-shirt with the pink CRAFT MAFIA logo and a full black peasant skirt with a black sequin design around the border.  I wore my black straw mule sandals.

The last step in the chocolate covered strawberry process is drizzling the white chocolate on top.  I forgot to buy the CRISCO, which you use to “water down” the white chocolate.  Since I forgot it was a little thicker than usual, but it still drizzled form the fork, so I managed to get a nice design on each one.

I put them back in the fridge to harden, put on my make-up and then transferred them from the three trays of wax paper to a big plastic tray I had.  I covered it with press-n-seal and brought them to the car.

I blasted the air conditioner all the way to his house, because I was afraid they’d melt.  I hate to make you jealous, but it was so hot that most of us stayed inside during the afternoon and he had the air conditioner on.  And it’s the end of October!!!!  By 3:30pm it was nice enough to go outside, because the sun had shifted and there was now some shade in his backyard.

He had quite a spread of food, but the only dessert he had (besides candy) was my strawberries, so I was VERY glad I brought them and – as usual – they were a huge hit.  People just go CRAZY for chocolate-covered strawberries!

He also had nice sandwiches on croissants (but they were ham or turkey, so I couldn’t indulge), chicken wings with a dip, crudite and dip, mini quiches, salsa and chips, and really nice big shrimp cocktail.  I had a lot of shrimp, a couple of quiches and a lot of chips and crudite.

One of the girls served the chocolate covered strawberries and everyone was loving them.  I was so happy!

The last time I was at Bob’s (with Eric) there was another couple there with their two sons.  They were back again and everyone was fighting to hold this baby, who is now 6 months old.  He is SO gorgeous, SO sweet, SO good, SO easy-going – he’ll let anybody hold him – and I got my fill of him, too.  He’s delicious!

I enjoyed seeing a bunch of people from work and also met some of Bob’s friends from his condo (which he is now renting) and from some of his previous jobs.  They were all really nice.

As soon as I got in the car to go home I called Eric.  I told him I missed him so much at the party and that the couple who had previously met him asked for him and said they hope he’ll be coming back soon.  He had called and left a message on my phone saying he hoped the strawberries came out great and he hoped I had a great time at the party and he wished he could be there with me.  I wish he was, too.  It made me sad to be there without Eric.  It’s not like I never socialized without him, but we always enjoyed going to parties and it just wasn’t the same without him.

I got home just as it was getting dark.  I continued cutting out skeletons and owls (I will be done tonight, because I’m bringing them to the office tomorrow).  I watched my Sunday night TV shows and got prepared for the week ahead.

It was nice go have someplace to go today.  I’m glad I was invited, and I’m glad I went.  One positive thing is that I wasn’t the oldest person there.  There were at least 3 or 4 other couples and some single people who were older than me (some much older).  That was a relief, because I knew a lot of the people Bob invited were in their 20s and 30s and I was worried that I’d be the “grandma of the group.”  I was so glad that I wasn’t!

Everybody loved the window treatments and were very complimentary of the work I’ve done with Bob.  They love the paint colors he picked out, the renovation we did in the dining room (tearing out cabinets and installing glass and granite shelves with lighting overhead) and are anxious to see what we’ll do next.  I told them Bob is not in a rush to get it all done.

He’s on a budget and used up a lot of it on the window treatments.  He needs a dining room set, but it’s not like he’s hosting a Thanksgiving dinner or anything, so there’s no deadline.  He has a bed, but he’s looking for a new bedroom set.  He also needs a living room set, but right now he does his entertaining in the den, which is right off the big kitchen/dining room area and the door to the backyard, so he’s not in a rush for that either.  All in good time, I told them – all in good time!

I woke up late and wanted to get to work early, so there was no way I could stop at Starbucks before work.  I DID get to go to the coffee cart, so I was pretty happy.  A lot of the girls were in early, so they saw me decorating their offices and cubicles with the owls and skeletons, and they really loved them.  Almost everyone commented and thanked me and really appreciated it, except for one girl.

No one really likes her, and it’s kind of sad, because I think she’s really nice and is probably just shy.  Maybe she feels left out a lot, because no one really includes her in anything.  I make a point of saying hello to her, and asking her how she is, etc., but I kind of understand why they treat her the way they do, because she never even mentioned or asked about who put the skeleton and owl on her door!

Anyway, it did Boo-tify the HR department a little and Halloween was the topic of the day.  Out of the 10 girls I work with, only 3 or 4 are dressing up this year.  HR is ALWAYS famous for their group costumes, picking a theme and each girl dressing accordingly.  Last year they were all super heroes.

Anyway, Elsa’s on sabbatical, as is the other woman I work with.  One of the other girls will be away that weekend, so she won’t be in on Friday.  Three of the other girls decided they won’t dress up, so that leaves 5 of us.  I said I’d dress up, if I could figure out a costume.  I don’t have much, because I sold, gave away, or threw away most of my costumes when we left NY.  The few things I have left don’t fit and I’m not going to spend money on a costume when I’m not even invited to a party, so if I can’t throw something together, I’ll just be one of the party poopers.

Today was a pretty easy day.  I wore my new black suede BCBG sling-back pumps and I’m happy to report they are SO comfortable!  I wore other shoes to walk from the parking lot to the office, because you can ruin the soles by walking far on cement, but I wore them most of the day around the office and they were great!

I got an email early in the morning from the escrow company saying the transaction was complete and the money had been transferred to our account.  I was SO happy.  I kept going online to our account every 20 minutes or so, and it wasn’t there.  I wrote her and she said it could take up to 24 hours, but probably wouldn’t.  By lunchtime the money was there.  Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!  I was SO happy.  It’s finally done.  He has the RV.  We have the money – and it only took three months!  I’m happy to report we’ve now got one less thing to worry about!

When I got out of work I went to MICHAEL’S.  I had a coupon for 40 percent off any one item, but I wandered around and couldn’t find anything I really needed, so I handed the coupon to a girl I saw shopping and just left.

Then, I went to KEIL’S to pick up a few things, including salmon for dinner.  I came home, spoke to Eric and then spoke to Andrew, who is helping me figure out what new laptop to purchase.  He has configured what I’ll need and I just need to order it.  It’s an HP laptop.  The thing is, tonight I saw this new commercial for the new, top-of-the-line HP “touch” computer, where you touch the screen – like the iphone.  Shouldn’t I have the newest, most up-to-date, top-of-the-line, high tech model they make?  Probably not.

I had my salmon and a salad (and made the same for lunch tomorrow) while I watched last night’s EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION.  I actually fell asleep REALLY early last night.  It wasn’t even 9:00pm and I was SO tired I turned off the TV and went to sleep.  Unfortunately, I awoke in the middle of the night and – as usual – just dozed and tossed and turned until the alarm went off. 

After EXTREME MAKEOVER, I watched DANCING WITH THE STARS.  Everybody’s getting injured.  First, Susan Lucci hurt her ankle.  Then, Brooke Burke hurt her foot.  Now, Julianne Hough has endometriosis and has to have her appendix taken out.  (I really don’t understand what one has to do with the other, but that’s what she said!)  What a season of injuries and illness!  Michael Flatley – the lord of the dance – was guest judge tonight.  He really has aged gracefully.  What a handsome, elegant guy!

I keep wanting to do some decoupage projects I’ve got to do for my new client, but I can’t get started!  Once I do, there’s no stopping me, but getting started is the hard part for me.

I’m going to close now.  I’m going to go watch BOSTON LEGAL.  That’s one of my favorite shows and tonight I heard it’s their last season.  I guess all good things must come to an end, but this show is SO entertaining, touching, and hits on all the big topics in the news.  I love David Kelley’s point of view, his cast is exceptional, and the writing is fantastic.  They don’t come much better than BOSTON LEGAL!

I was out the door early enough to hit CITIBANK and STARBUCKS before calling Eric and heading onto I-5 for the office.  I started sneezing while I was in the car.  I must have sneezed 20 or 30 times.  Big sneezes.  Powerful sneezes.  I didn’t know what it meant, but I didn’t like it!

By the time I got to work and settled in at my desk, I was sneezing and my nose was SO stuffed.  I kept “schnuckling” (that’s the word my sister, Audrey, used to use for when you try to clear your nose by breathing in, instead of blowing your nose and getting it all out) and then I’d blow my nose.  It would just get stuffed again and I’d have to blow it or schnuckle some more.

This went on long enough for all the girls around to ask if I was okay.  I told them I was having a bad allergy day, and they all agreed that they were suffering, too.  I don’t know if this is “the season” in San Diego (I wasn’t here last October), but I had the worst allergy day I’ve had since I got here almost a year ago!

Finally, Rosemary gave me an over-the-counter Claritin-D and, although it made me a little “speedy,” it dried me up and I could breathe again and I felt SO much better.  As Jimmy so humorously put it, “Peppy + speedy = wacky good time!

The only problem was that I was a little speedy, and there was nothing to do!  It was SUCH a slow work day.  I finished cleaning.  I finished organizing.  I finished filing.  There are only 3-4 resumes a day coming in, because we’ve filled almost every single job!  There are also two other temps working right now (one is working with me, and the other is an HR temp, who does HR consulting), so they’re covering a lot of the work, too.  When the two girls went on sabbatical, I had no idea they would be hiring TWO other temps and I thought I’d be SO overwhelmed and busy.  Turns out, I’m bored!

At 4:00pm the girl who is my direct superior came over and said, “Let’s get out of here!   We both left and I was so happy, because I got home and was able to lie down before yoga.  I wasn’t blowin’ and sneezin’ anymore, but I didn’t feel that great.

I got up around 6:30pm, got dressed and went to yoga.  As usual, it was great.  It does really make you serene!

When I got home I had a bowl of tomato bisque and watched DANCING WITH THE STARS.  Cloris Leachman finally got eliminated tonight – and not a moment too soon!  Then I watched ELI STONE, which is SUCH a great show.

Yesterday, I wrote about Halloween and how some of the girls in HR were dressing up and some weren’t.  I had mentioned that I wanted to dress up, but didn’t have a costume.  My direct superior brought two costumes to work today – Raggedy Ann and a witch costume.  Neither one is really up my alley – the Raggedy Ann is too cute and the witch costume is too cliché.  Anyway, I took the witch costume, brought it home and tried it on.  It does nothing for my figure, but at least I’ll be “in the spirit” so to speak.

I was thinking that maybe I’d pile on a lot of rhinestone jewelry and go as a “rich witch” – get it?  At least that would put a “Peppy spin” on it and I wouldn’t just be an ordinary witch.  I used to sometimes dress up as a witch – for halloween parties or at the shop – but I’d wear great boots, fishnet stockings and a short black skirt with a pointy hem.  I don’t have boots, and don’t have my witches skirt anymore.

I was thinking of wearing one of my vintage 50s dresses with a crinoline, put an apron and pearls on and go as a Stepford Wife, or a Desperate Housewife, or something like that.  Maybe Leave it to Beaver's mother?  Mrs. Cleaver!

Any suggestions?  I don’t want to spend any money, except I was thinking maybe I’d buy a wig.  The witch costume came with a black wig with a few white streaks, but it doesn’t do anything for me!

I snoozed a few times this morning, because I had my outfit planned for the day, and my lunch ready (a NUTRISYSTEM dish), so I knew I’d be out early – and I was.  I wore a new blouse I ordered from a catalog.  It’s a beautiful deep purple, long sleeves, with a v neck and a twist in the middle.  The fabric is actually knotted in the center and then flows down from there.  It fits great and looks very professional.  I wore my black slacks and my black kimono-style jacket with one button over it.  I got compliments all day on the pretty purple, so I guess I made a good choice, because they had about 10 colors to choose from!

I had a pretty easy day, but did work on a few projects for one of the girls.  I finished the first one and she was astonished that I was done so quickly.  She said, “You have to slow down!”  It’s funny, because I notice that the other temp will pace herself, to try to look busy and not have nothing to do, because she doesn’t want them to give her more work.  I’m the exact opposite – and always have been – I try to do things perfectly, but also as quickly as I can, and I want to impress them with my expertise and speed!

I think that’s why I’ve always been valued wherever I worked, because people knew they could count on me to do a great job, and to do it as quickly and efficiently as possible.  There’s great satisfaction to be had from a job well done!

This firm is Halloween crazy!  It was definitely looked down on at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and very few people dared to wear a costume or decorate their cubicles.  Here, it’s de rigeur!  People start talking about it weeks before.  There are lots of secrets, a competitive edge, and loads of candy.

Today there were huge orange bins on the counters in all the kitchens and everyone was running around on a sugar high!  I have to admit I had two bite-sized Milky Way bars.

This afternoon someone from Marketing Communications brought down a framed sign inviting us to their “party” from 10:00am – 2:00pm with games, contests, raffles, prizes, and of course treats!  It said, “Come meet the family,” so we were all trying to guess what their theme is.  They’re the stars of the firm’s Halloween parade each year, walking from floor to floor so everyone can see them!  Usually HR joins in, but this year – as I mentioned before – very few of us are dressing up.

That brings me to MY saga.  I decided to do the “June Cleaver/50s housewife” costume using one of my vintage dresses.  I thought a wig would be fun, so I went to Hillcrest after work.  I wasn’t able to find anything good, but I did wait until 2 days before Halloween.  I really wanted a beehive wig, but they were all sold out.  The only thing I saw was a purple wig that looked like Peg from MARRIED WITH CHILDREN – shoulder length with bangs.

I thought that would look kind of 50s, but – unfortunately – it looks a LOT different than the girl modeling it on the bag.  It was squished into a small plastic bag and it is a total mess.  It looks more like the wig for a costume where someone hasn’t combed their hair in months.  I tried to fix it up, but it’s so cheap (it was under $10), and there’s not much to be done.

Okay, so that was a disappointment.  Then I decided to try on my vintage party dresses to see which one I could wear – with some pearls and an apron – to be June Cleaver.  I even stopped on my way home and bought Nestle Tollhouse cookies that you just separate, put on a cookie sheet and bake, so I could bring fresh-baked cookies to give out as treats!

I tried on dress after dress.  Some couldn’t zip if my life depended on it.  Some would zip if Eric was here to do it while I held in my stomach and pulled the fabric tight.  One or two DID zip, but I wasn’t happy with the look, because I couldn’t find an apron!  I had at least 100 aprons in my shop at one time – I used to sell them for costumes all the time – and I couldn’t find one half-apron!  The only apron I have is a green, black and gold 50s number that covers you like a smock.  It’s sleeveless and wraps around and ties in front.  It totally clashes with the one dress I wanted to wear, which is orange and white, but – hey – it’s Halloween!

Then, I figured maybe I’d wear the long curly clip-on hair I used when I was in my belly dancing recital.  Yes, I was in a belly dancing recital 2 years ago with my nieces.  I weighed at least 10 pounds less at that time!  If I wasn’t so fat, I’d wear the bellydancing costume to work, but that’s not going to happen!

So, finally I figured out I’d wear the orange and white dress, with the green, black and gold apron, some pearls, some heels, and put my hair back so that it looks like it’s in a pony with the clip-on curls.  At least it’s a costume!  I really didn’t want to be the witch and it turns out another girl wants to borrow the witch’s hat, so she can wear that and I’ll wear my vintage outfit.  It’s definitely more me!

My big news is that I ordered a new computer.  My friend, Andrew, configured it for me after we had a discussion of my wants and needs.  He knows so much more about computers than I do, and he’s been such a help to me in the past.  I trust him implicitly, so I told him to tell me what to buy and I’d buy it.  I had it shipped to his house, so he can load everthing on there for me, and when I go to NY I’ll bring my laptop and he can transfer my other stuff from my old computer to the new one.

This computer is about to crash.  It died 2 years ago and I should have gotten a new one then, but I just got a new hard drive.  There are a lot of things wrong with this, and new things happen every day, so I know I’m getting the new one in the nick of time!

It will be so nice to have a new computer that will be fast and reliable.  I just don’t have much faith in this old baby anymore.  I bought it in January of 2002, so it’s almost 7 years old.  That’s an antique as far as computers are concerned!  It weighs a TON, the battery is totally dead (so I always have to have it plugged in) and it does weird things all the time.  My spellcheck stopped working a few weeks ago (so if you notice any spelling errors in this blog, you’ll know why!).  It takes at least 5 minutes for the internet to come up when I click on the icon.  Five minutes – no exaggeration.

That happened MONTHS ago, and it’s really frustrating, but I’ve been living with it.  Now, the timing seemed right, because I’d have Andrew to help me and I’d be there to get it, and this one seems ready for the junk heap, so it’s not a moment too soon.

So, I know you’re dying to know what TV I watched tonight!  THE BIGGEST LOSER (2 hours from last night), DEAL OR NO DEAL (they had their second million dollar winner and it was SO exciting) and AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL. 

I made an appointment today to get a massage on Saturday.  The last time I was there (with my cousin Ilene), my masseuse Leah promised me an hour for $35, which is unheard of!  I have been dreaming about it since then and I decided this was the weekend.  I deserve a treat for selling the RV all by myself!  I went through weeks of stress and tsouris and it’s finally gone, we got the money, and I’m spending $50 of it on myself (that’s $35 plus tip!!!).

I got up on the first alarm this morning.  No snoozing for me!  I wanted to get an early start, because I had a lot to do around the apartment, in preparation for Halloween tomorrow.  I’m still getting everything ready!

I didn’t hit Starbucks, because I left the house later than usual, so I spoke to Eric on the phone and drove straight to work.  I made the instant International Foods Mocha, even though it’s not very satisfying.  I figure I’ll get my Starbucks, or the coffee cart, tomorrow.

I had another great day at work.  Have I mentioned how much fun it is in HR?  The girls are SO nice to me.  The work is so pleasant, and I enjoy every single project.  I get to meet new people all the time, because all the new hires, the consultants, the temps and the candidates come through HR, or I go meet them at reception.  I get to take people’s pictures for their IDs, and break the ice with them.  I love this job!

The temp I’ve been working with has seen that I always offer to help with the filing and other jobs, so today she offered to help me, and I thought it was really great.  We really are a good team, but next week is her last week (unless they decide to keep her on, too!), because the woman she’s sitting in for will be back on the 10th.

She looked at the cafeteria menu for today and mentioned they were having macaroni and cheese.  I expressed my love for mac & cheese and she suggested that we go check it out.  She emailed me a Food Network recipe she used at Thanksgiving last year and plans to make again this year.  The recipe seems like enough to serve an army and she said she halved every ingredient.

I looked at the recipe, knew it would be heaven, and also realized it’s what you’d call a “heart attack on a plate.”  Tons of butter, half-n-half, and SEVEN different cheeses.  Yummy!  I am putting the recipe here, for those of you who dare to try it:

• 2 pounds elbow macaroni
• 12 eggs
• 1 cup cubed Velveeta cheese 
• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter , melted
• 6 cups half-and-half, divided
• 4 cups grated sharp yellow Cheddar, divided
• 2 cups grated extra-sharp white Cheddar
• 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella
• 1 cup grated Asiago
• 1 cup grated Gruyere
• 1 cup grated Monterey Jack
• 1 cup grated Muenster
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper

Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until slightly al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside to keep warm.
Whisk the eggs in a large bowl until frothy.

Add the Velveeta, butter and 2 cups of the half-and-half to the large bowl of eggs. Add the warm macaroni tossing until the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth. Add the remaining half-and-half, 3 cups of the sharp yellow Cheddar, the remaining grated cheeses, and salt and pepper, tossing until completely combined in the large bowl.

Pour the mixture into 9 by 13-inch casserole or baking dishes (approximately 3 (3-quart) baking dishes) and bake for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of sharp yellow cheese and bake until golden brown on top, about 30 minutes more.

Serve hot.

12 eggs?  Two sticks of butter?  Oy vey!  Anyway, we went up to the cafeteria and got a serving of mac & cheese.  We both agreed it was good, but nothing to write home about.  I kind of felt guilty later for eating such a carb-laden meal when it wasn’t super-yummy.  If I am going to eat something that’s going to leave me full of self-loathing, it has to be something that causes vocalizations with every bite.  If you’re not following me, that means that every bite should elicit an “Ohhhh!” or an “Mmmmm” or a “My mouth is having a party!” as my mother loves to say!  Otherwise, it’s just not worth it!

I left work at 4:30pm and called and spoke to Eric on the way to my Thursday afternoon appointment.  Eric was out with two friends tonight – Mark and John.  They contacted him and asked him to hang out for a couple of drinks.  I only spoke to him for a few minutes, but he was having a great time and told me he’d call when he got home.

I really look forward to my Thursday afternoons.  I find it very helpful and comforting. 

When I got home I immediately got to work getting my costume together for tomorrow and baking cookies.  The cookies are an important part of my costume, because I’m supposed to be a 1950s housewife, and weren’t all 1950s housewives always baking cookies?

Actually it was suggested to me by Sergio and I thought it was a fantastic idea!  I bought three types of Nestle Tollhouse cookies that you just break apart and bake – oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip, and peanut butter.  The oatmeal raisin kind of fell apart and the chocolate chip got a little burned on the bottom, but the peanut butter were perfection!

Eric called while I was baking.  He had a great time tonight and went on and on about what great guys John and Mark are.  Well, I already knew that!  He said they suggested getting together once a week, just to hang out.  I think Eric was happy to hang out with the guys, but I know he is uncomfortable hanging out with couples we used to socialize with.  He feels it's not right to do that without me.  I kind of understand, but I know our friends love him and want to see him, so it's kind of frustrating.  Anyway, he had a great night and that made me very happy!

After I hung up with Eric, I covered my big round decoupaged clock tray with press-n-seal and layered all the cookies on the sheet.  There are a LOT of cookies!

So, here’s my costume:  A black lace skirt with a cream satin underlay with a crinoline underneath.  It’s not really vintage, but at least it fits and it looks vintage.  I’m not sure yet if I’ll wear a black lace top or a black t-shirt on top, but it doesn’t really matter, because the gold/green/black apron covers up almost the entire top.  It is sleeveless and wraps around tying at the waist and goes down to just below my hips.  I just want to be comfortable under the apron. 
I have three different pearl bracelets and a small pearl choker that really looks real (because the pearls are so small).  I have green and gold vingage dangle earrings, black stockings with seams up the back and black open toed pumps.  I am also wearing a vintage purse, but no one will see that, except when I’m coming and going!  The piece de resistance is a vintage hankie in the pocket of my apron!  Down to the last detail, I tell you!

I will wear my hair up and back with the clip-on long blonde curls, which makes it look like it’s in a high ponytail.  It’s totally 50s, but doesn’t really go with the outfit – it’s more like how a girl wearing a poodle skirt would wear her hair, rather than a housewife with pearls, but it’ll have to do!

After I was done, I watched UGLY BETTY.  Kimmie Keegan is gone, thank goodness.  Betty’s nemesis was just too easy to hate, but not the girl you love to hate.

So far my only plans for the entire weekend are my massage on Saturday and a date with another girl in HR on Sunday.  We’re going to see THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, which is a new movie starring Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, and Jennifer Hudson.  I loved the book SO SO SO much and I’m so happy to get to see the movie.  Melissa read the book, too, so she was excited to see the movie.  It’ll be fun to see her outside the office.  She’s really smart and has a great sense of humor.

I’m really excited about tomorrow.  I’m going to wear false eyelashes for the first time in at least a year.  I need to get up extra early tomorrow if I’m going to get this all pulled together and get to work by 8:00am.  Wish me luck and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Well, the costume was a big hit!  I was so thrilled.   Everyone loved the vintage look, the hairpiece, the apron, and my bottle of pills and martini glass!  They also loved the cookies!

I got up about a half hour earlier than usual (5:45am).  I had tried everything on the night before, and set everything out, including jewelry and other accessories.  I changed my purse to a vintage black structured pocketbook with a multicolored sequin and jewel floral design on one side.  It went perfectly with the apron!

My hair went up and the piece went on without a hitch.  I was also able to get the false eyelashes on, even though I'm pretty blind now without my glasses.  It was not easy, but I managed!  I put on gold eyeshadow (it matched the gold design in my apron) and it looked really desperate.  I also made my eyebrows really dark, so they would stand out when I gave my desperate look (which meant widening my eyes).

I packed up my martini glass, my pill bottle (with mints in it) and my tray of cookies.  I also packed my high heels, because I didn’t want to wear them from the parking lot, so I wore comfy shoes and changed when I got to my desk.

There weren’t many girls in our group in costume – just a few.  One girl was Princess Leah in the white outfit from STAR WARS, and the boss was a jack-in-the-box.  Another girl wore a football jersey and jeans (I noticed a lot of employees wore costumes involving jeans, which was just an excuse to wear jeans to work, which are usually a big no-no).

Princess Leah brought home-made white chocolate fudge, which she colored with orange, and yellow food coloring to recreate candy corn.  It was SO good.  She also made brownies.  There was plenty of Halloween candy, and my cookies.  We tried to get something done, but it wasn’t easy, because people kept coming and going in costumes and there was a conversation every time.  I was so happy people liked my costume and I enjoyed seeing what people came up with!

At 10:00am everyone in the office who was dressed in costume met downstairs by the parking garage and a photographer was on the upper level of the parking garage while we all stood outside in a big group and they took pictures of us all.  It was SO hot out and the sun was so strong.  I could hear people saying, "Hurry, we're melting!" and I was, too!  It was the hottest Halloween I'd ever experienced.  That was a whole new world for me!

The Marketing Communications group was The Addams Family and had all the characters from the movie.  The guy dressed as Gomez was perfect.  He’s Mexican and he has those Latin good looks.  He was quite dashing in his striped suit with his cigar!

There was Uncle Fester (a bald guy with a lightbulb in his mouth and the long "gown" that Uncle Fester always wore), Grandmama, Morticia, Wednesday (the cutest thing ever), Pugsley, Flora and Fauna (the Siamese twins), Cousin Itt, and Lurch.  Unfortunately, Lurch was played by a chubby girl of about 5’ 2”, so she couldn’t really pull it off!  She did look awful cute in her Lurch wig, though!

They had their department decorated so beautifully and they must have spent a fortune on all their Halloween accessories.  They had the conference room all decked out with candelabrum, chandeliers with spider webs, skulls, carved watermelons, and tons of great food.

They had fun contests – baby pictures and high school graduation pictures where you had to guess who was who.  They had a “guess how many M&Ms are in the pumpkin” contest, and you also had to vote for Best Costume.  I didn’t wear my glasses, so I couldn’t participate in any of that, but I did enjoy looking at everyone and everything.

There were a lot of girls in pajamas, which is just another excuse to be super comfy at work, although they did look cute!  There was one group of young guys who dressed as 1970s basketball players, including some pretty wild looking afros.  Remember back then, how the guys wore those little shorts?  It was pretty funny!  They set up a small basketball court on the floor with a hoop on the wall and they were playing.

The big boss – I mean THE man – the guy who started the firm back in 1974 and after whom the company is named – was up there playing basketball, and when he stopped I walked over to him with my martini glass and my tray of cookies and asked him if he wanted a cookie.  He said, “Sure!” and took one.  I was SO starstruck!  I don’t think he knows who I am, although I’ve run into him a bunch of times.  He’s really very shy and quiet, but he’s very sweet.

One of the temps in HR just bought a little Shitsu puppy and she brought her into the office.  She stayed for 3 hours and everyone was going CRAZY over her.  She was about 10 inches long – so tiny and sweet and cute and loving and funny and calm and adorable and I thought she was the cutest puppy I had ever seen in my entire life!

I placed the order for the SUBWAY sandwiches and the boss went to pick it up at 11:30am.  A little after noon we all sat in the conference room and ate our sandwiches together.  We talked about whether or not we’d have trick-or-treaters tonight (I had ZERO) and I told them that Jimmy called me the “crazy penny lady” because I told him if I DID have trick-or-treaters they would get a handful of pennies.  I don’t bother buying candy, because guess who’s going to eat it?  You guessed right!

Anyway, I told them all my favorite Halloween joke:

A little boy is dressed as a pirate going door to door trick-or-treating.  He comes to a house, rings the bell and a woman answers.  She says, “Aren’t you the cutest little pirate!  Where are your buccaneers?”  He looks at her, and says, “Under my buckin’ hat!”

It got a good laugh!

After lunch some of the girls went upstairs to the Marketing Communications group to see their whole set-up, but I had gone at 11:00am, so I stayed behind with a few others and worked.  By now, I was barefoot, because my feet were killing me in those shoes (which are new, by the way, and this was not a good indication of how often I can wear them!).  Everytime someone would come in, they’d come over to see my costume and I’d have to stand up, grab my pills and martini glass and open my eyes really wide to show my desperation – kind of Norma Desmond style.  It was pretty funny!

There was another girl who was dressed as a housewife, too, but she looked totally elegant and wasn't desperate at all.  She looked like Brie from Desperate Housewives, because she was totally beautiful, and perfectly coiffed and had her half apron on and her pearls and her little black dress.  She's gorgeous.  We took pictures together, because we were from the same era, and then there was another girl who was in a 50s poodle skirt, so we took a picture with her, too!

By 3:00pm my sugar high wore off and I was now crashing. All I wanted in the world was a nap.  If I could have crawled under my desk and taken forty winks I would have.  It probably would have made a great picture to see the desperate housewife under the desk sleeping.

I kept working through it and managed to make it to 4:30pm, when everyone left, including me!  I drove straight home, unpacked everything, took off all my clothes and jumped in the shower.  Then, I called Eric and told him about my great day.

Then, I tried to take a nap.  I guess I was over my sugar slump, because I had a hard time falling asleep.  I did doze a little, but I really didn’t get a good sleep.  I got up at around 7:30pm and had the second half of my tuna sandwich from Subway.  Good stuff!

Then, I watched some TV until Marlene arrived, the woman who bought the bejeweled hand mirror.  We had a great time.  She’s pretty fabulous and we hit it off as soon as we started emailing.  She drove down with her boyfriend (she’s about 2 hours north of San Diego in Costa Mesa).

Her real reason for coming wasn't to just pick up the mirror.  She also wanted to give me a big wall mirror to bejewel with all her 80s earrings.  They stayed about an hour, looking at everything I had for sale, and she ended up buying my big round mirror with all the clip-on earrings.  I told her Eric really didn’t want me to sell it, but I make my things to sell, not to keep, and I was happy that she fell in love with it and knew he wouldn't mind.

I told them that all an artist can ask is that someone fall in love with their work and HAVE to have it.  Since she felt that way, I was thrilled to sell it to her.  She's excited to see what I do with the mirror she brought for me to bejewel.  No one wears the big 1980s earrings anymore, but I told her with our luck they’ll be all the rage again in 2009!

So, she purchased the hand mirror and the big round mirror, and I am still making a hand mirror and small tray decoupaged with yoga pictures for her daughter.  I’m also doing another hand mirror decoupaged with butterflies and the big mirror she brought with her jewelry.  Since she brought the mirror and the jewelry, I’m really only charging her for labor, and since she’s purchasing so many things from me, I gave her a great price.

I can’t wait to get started on all this.  She has given me the motivation to get working and I’m going to try to get a lot done this weekend.  As I said, my only plans for tomorrow are a massage (which I desperately need) and the movies on Sunday afternoon.  That leaves plenty of time for decoupage and jewelry mosaics!

Today was a really great day.  I got to dress up (which you know I LOVE to do), the office was fun and festive and everyone was having a great time.  There was good food, and great decorations.  It was just the kind of day I really needed to have and I feel lucky to be working at a firm that encourages it’s employees to be creative and to have a good time.  And have a good time we did!