We all got up at around 8:00am. I had packed the night before, so I was ready for my flight at 10:45am.
My parents drove me to the airport and dropped me off at 9:30am. It was sad to leave my Mom, because I know she misses me a lot, but my sister Audrey is actually coming to visit them this Thursday, and I know that will make them really happy. My parents love to have their daughters around, and they're so happy to show us a good time.
The airport was pretty empty and I had no trouble with security. When I got through I walked to my gate – C2. Right across the aisle was STARBUCKS. What luck! I got a decaf nonfat mocha latte and sat down to wait for my flight.
I called my friend, Adele. Eric and I were having dinner tonight with her and her two sisters and I wanted to confirm the time and place (5:00pm – Bayside Diner).
I boarded the plane and found my seat, which was by the window in a three-across seat. While I was waiting at the gate, I had seen the family with the three kids who tortured me on my way to Florida. All I could say was, “Oh, NO!” Fortunately, I was way in front and they were way in back.
I sat at the window, closed my eyes and waited for the plane to take off. A young girl sat in the aisle seat and – miracle of miracles – the plane took off and no one sat inbetween us! It was comfortable, roomy, quiet, and I slept the entire flight. I didn’t even open my eyes for my snack or drink!
When we arrived in NY – on time – I realized how lucky I was. This was my fourth flight in two weeks and I hadn’t been delayed, or cancelled, or had problems with security. I shouldn’t really say anything, because I do have one more flight tomorrow, NY to SD, and it could ALL go wrong, but I still feel pretty lucky so far!
Eric came to pick me up at the airport and HE was right on time, too! We went back to the apartment to drop off my stuff and relax for a little while and then drove to Williston Park to pick up my laptop from Susan and Andrew.
They are in the midst of a bathroom renovation and we got to see it in it’s almost-finished state. It’s really beautiful and I was impressed by how quickly it got completed. Eric and I agreed that they had chosen beautiful tiles, marble and fixtures. I guess I’ll have to wait until spring to see the shower doors!
Andrew had worked on my new laptop and got everything going, so I took it and we headed to Bayside Diner to meet Adele, Debra and Susan – three sisters I have been friends with since junior high school!
Adele’s boyfriend was also there, as well as Debra’s daughter, Michelle, who will be celebrating her bat mitzvah in May. I told them about the Bar Mitzvah I will be attending in two weeks in Los Angeles. I am so excited to see Evan perform his portion of the Haftorah, and also to see lots of family from New York and California.
I know Ilene is planning the party of the season and it will be fabulous and festive! I will be spending the night at our friend’s – Joe and Miguel – even though I’ll have to “sleep and run” because I’m also having brunch with my cousins. At least I’ll get to see Joe and Miguel for a few hours!
Anyway, we had a great dinner with Adele, Mark, Debra and Michelle. Eric had a dish called "The ?Whitestone" which was a turkey melt. I had salmon with mashed potatoes and zucchini.
Unfortunately, the youngest sister, Susan, was unable to come. Adele told Debra, Michelle and Mark about Scott’s Granny’s Game, because we had played last year, but it was just Adele, Susan and another friend playing with me and Eric.
We’ve taught that game to so many people and they all love it. It’s really a fun card game that the whole family can enjoy!
When dinner was finished we said our goodbyes and promised lots of fun and laughter when I return in the spring. We always have fun with these girls. They are the best!
When Eric and I got home it was pretty early, but he fell asleep pretty fast. I had to take everything out of both suitcases and pack for my return trip tomorrow. I wanted to put all the clothes and other stuff in the big suitcase to be checked, and put both laptops (yes, I’m taking BOTH laptops home) and my costume jewelry in the other suitcase to be taken on board with me.
While I was packing I watched a HALLMARK movie called FRONT OF THE CLASS, which was about a man with Tourette's Syndrome who wanted to teach. It was a beautiful story of determination and I really enjoyed it.
I finished packing and decided to blog. I figured I’d use the old laptop, so I set it up, but – no matter how hard I tried – I couldn’t get the internet connection. I think the computer got banged around a lot during the trip from Florida to NY and maybe I broke the Verizon USB modem. That’ll teach me to leave it in while traveling! I just never took it out. The new one has to come out, because it’s shaped much differently and would stick out too far, but the old one didn’t stick out much and I thought it would be okay – at least it always was okay in the past.
So, it’s a good thing I have the new laptop, because I’m now sitting and blogging on the new HP, instead of the old Dell. I’m hoping when I get back I can get it working again, or else I’ll have to go to a Verizon store and see if they can fix it. I guess it’s no big deal and maybe I should even cancel it, since I don’t really need internet on TWO laptops. Anyway, I can’t deal with it here. I’ll figure it all out in San Diego.
I actually got a call tonight from Elsa in San Diego. She wanted to know if I wanted her to pick me up tomorrow! I told her that not only was l still in NY, but they had told me in HR that they didn’t need me anymore. She works in HR and she didn’t know! I guess communication isn’t as great as I thought! Anyway, I told her they might need me in another week or two and she knew that they had a project coming up and it might get very busy again. I am hoping she’s right, because I really do want to go back to work there.
I told her I’d talk to her when I get back and definitely see her on the 13th at the office party. She’s so sweet and it was so nice of her to call and see if I needed a ride.
I’m all ready to fly back to New York, but it really is going to be so sad. Eric told me he couldn’t wait for me to get back from Florida, but that he was also sad, because he knew I’d be leaving again tomorrow. I really wish I could stay – at least stay longer than I have – but there are a million reasons why I need to get back to San Diego – not the least of which is Conrad, and my apartment, which is just sitting there waiting for me! I do have a life there and I need to get a lot of things resolved before I can come back for good.
In the meantime, I told Eric we have to remember how good things were these past two weeks, and that they will be even better in the spring when I’m here to stay. That will keep both of us going for the next 6 months!