Eric started working downtown today – near Wall Street, so he drove into work and didn’t have to take the express bus and train as he usually does. I was happy about that, because he doesn’t hit much traffic that early (6:00am) and it’s a much easier commute!
I was going to take Susan and Andrew out for brunch before Andrew helped me with my new laptop, but they’re having their upstairs bathroom renovated and Andrew needed to be home.
Since I wasn’t going over that early, I decided to do a food shopping for Eric, so he wouldn’t have to bother while I’m in Florida. I went to Waldbaum’s where I did my food shopping for 21 years. Everything was in pretty much the same place as it always was and it was amazing how much I remembered, even though I haven’t been there in a year and a half.
I got him chicken cutlets, which he likes to cook up and then put on bread for a sandwich every day. He says it’s easier than dealing with cold cuts (how hard are cold cuts?). I also got him some healthy snacks, like hummus and baked whole wheat chips.
And, for me – Diet Lemon Snapple Iced Tea – so I’d have something entertaining to drink while I’m hanging out here!
After I brought everything back to the apartment and dropped it off, I drove to New Hyde Park and stopped at STARBUCKS (of course!). I forgot to mention yesterday that the first person to EVER bring me to STARBUCKS, the person responsible for this addiction of mine – is Miss Nancy!!!!!! Many years ago – it must have been the early 90s, she took me to a STARBUCKS in Great Neck – which was the first one in the area, I believe.
I wasn’t that impressed then, but it grew on me – boy, did it grow on me. I told Nancy of my current obsession and how she started it all and we laughed. Who knew?
Anyway, I got myself a non-fat latte and got one for Andrew, too. I also picked us up some “breakfast sandwiches” because I was getting hungry. Mine was egg and veggies and his was low-fat turkey bacon, no-cholesterol egg and low-fat cheese on a muffin. It looked really good and he said it tasted great, too!
We enjoyed our snack (it’s really not much of a lunch, but it hit the spot!) while three or four guys were in and out of the house (walking on drop cloths) cutting tile outside on the wet wheel and installing it in the bathroom upstairs.
Eric used to work on a wet wheel a lot, so I’m familiar with them. Their bathroom will be done this week and I know it’s hell when you’re undergoing construction, but when it’s done they’ll definitely be in heaven.
The tile they chose is a warm and cozy terra cotta color with yellows and browns running through it. They wanted a dark grout, which I thought would look so rich and beautiful. Unfortunately, while we were working on the computer, one of the guys let Andrew know that they needed two more boxes of wall tiles – they didn’t have enough. He also needed some other stuff and gave Andrew a whole shopping list!
I had a chance to show Andrew the problem I was having downloading pictures from my camera to the new laptop, but we didn’t have a chance to resolve it. I decided the best course of action was just to leave the new laptop there and let Andrew work on it while I’m in Florida, because I was planning to take the old one there anyway. I can still do everything I need to on the old one.
I would have offered to stay with Chelsea, the poodle, while Andrew ran his errands, but I never stay in their house more than ½ hour anyway, because I’m always worried about my allergies/asthma. I actually started to feel it in my throat, so I knew I had to leave anyway.
I left Andrew with my laptop and headed back to Queens. I came right back to the apartment and watched TV and, before I knew it, Eric was home. He said he made great time with the car and he actually got home almost an hour earlier than he usually does.
He said tomorrow he’s going to put his bike in the car and ride from Chinatown to his job, because he didn’t like paying so much for parking! I think it’s great, because that’s what he always used to do – drive part way and ride his bike the rest of the way. It’s good exercise for him, and he likes to save money, my economic Eric!
After we talked for a while, I fell asleep, but he just watched TV while I napped. When I woke up at 5:00pm he made us a delicious dinner of grilled cheese and salad, and also cooked the chicken I had bought with gorgonzola cheese and asparagus. Now, he’ll have chicken cutlets for sandwiches for the rest of the week, and with asparagus for dinner one night!
Eric and I have always enjoyed just hanging out at home. We don’t need to run around a lot – never have. We've always been total homebodies. We relaxed, watched TV and enjoyed each other’s company. He said he’s going to miss me when I leave, and I told him I’m going to miss him, too. It’s going to be very hard to be separated again after 9 weeks apart -- this time for 5 months -- but time flies and I’ll be back here before you know it!
My friend Stephen and I are going to the theatre tomorrow! He got us tickets to see a matinee of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. I’m so happy. It really is the one show I have wanted to see so badly, and it’s closing in January , so I’m glad we get to see it before it’s gone. I’m sure they’ll have a touring company, and I’m sure it will eventually come to San Diego, but it may not be there while I’m there, so it’s best to catch it while I can.
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN won BEST MUSICAL in 2008. I have always been a big fan of MEL BROOKS movies and Young Frankenstein was one of my favorites (THE PRODUCERS and BLAZING SADDLES are the other two). I’m not sure if Megan Mullaly is still starring, but I’m hoping she is, because I’m a big fan. I saw her pre-WILL & GRACE when she starred on Broadway in HOW TO SUCCEED.
I can’t wait to see Stephen tomorrow and hear of his trip to Libya. I haven’t seen him since June of 2007. He came down to NYC to see me and Eric before we left NY. He and I are “Broadway buddies.” We used to go see all the musicals together and it’s been hard on both of us since I’ve been in SD. Stephen is happy I’m coming back to NY, because there are lots of great musicals we haven’t seen and we have a lot of catching up to do in 2009!
So, just one more day until I leave for Florida! I’m so happy I’m able to fit in a trip to Delray Beach to see my parents. They’re so excited that I’m coming, and I’m happy as can be! My mom already told me she’ll take me shopping on Friday, because Eric wants me to pick out something special from him for my birthday. That’s always fun – going shopping and knowing you can buy whatever you want! I’m not much of a mall person, but I’m sure I’ll find something I can’t live without!
They also told me they’re taking me to the movies Friday night and bought tickets to see a play at a local theatre on Saturday night, so it will be a fun-filled visit. I’m so excited!
So, I wanted to download a couple of pictures I took today of Chelsea (my new favorite photography subject!) and I couldn't find the white cord that connects from the camera to the laptop. I remembered putting it in the laptop bag when I took the old one back from Andrew's house. I KNEW I had put it in there, but I couldn't find it. You know those laptop bags -- they have about 20 zippered compartments and I checked every single one -- several times, but no cord.
I called Andrew and he said he didn't see it, but that I should shake the case upside down (he always has such great technical advice!). I tried that, but still no case! I figured maybe it fell out in the car (I couldn't imagine how, but I figured that's what must have happened), so I asked Eric to get dressed and go out to the car, but first I asked him to check the case, because Andrew had said it was probably in there somewhere.
Believe it or not, Eric said he could feel it through the lining, and we discovered it was in a "hidden zipper compartment." I don't even know how I found the zipper to put it in there, but there it was! Boy, was I relieved! I knew I had put it in there, and thought I was losing my mind!
Anyway, I got to download the photos, so I'm definitely going to show them to you!
Here's Andrew and Chelsea. For some reason, Chelsea is too shy to pose by herself. She needs Andrew for support!
Here's Chelsea with two helping hands!
I really took pictures this afternoon because I was having trouble downloading pictures on the new laptop and wanted to show Andrew how it was working, so I took a few photos of their beautiful home. Susan collects Lustreware, which is one of the most beautiful items I sold in the shop. Made in the 1930s and 1940s, this elegant dinnerware sets the most gorgeous table and, as you can see, makes a beautiful display.
Many of these pieces were purchased in Peppy's Dream, some by Andrew as a gift for Susan!
Not only were some of these pieces purchased in Peppy's Dream, but the piece of furniture they are displayed in below was bought there, too!
