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!