I had a VERY weird night’s sleep. I had a long day yesterday – up earlier than usual and didn’t have a nap – so I was pretty tired when I started watching TV at around 9:00pm. I knew I was going to fall asleep early, and I was actually happy, because I thought then I’d get up early and be able to do a lot today.
I turned off the TV before 10:00pm and fell asleep. Next thing I knew, it was pitch dark, I was wide awake, and my nose was running like crazy! I didn’t want to look at the clock, because that kind of gets my wheels turning more – if I actually know what time it is. I blew my nose a couple of times and tried to fall back to sleep, but it wasn’t happening. Finally, I looked at the clock and it was 12:30am.
All I did was take a nap! My body is so un-used to me going to bed early that it just woke up 2 hours later! Now, it was 12:30am, my nose was running and I wasn’t sleepy. I decided to take two NYQUIL caplets, so it would dry me up and I could sleep. I turned on the TV and watched about a half hour of SNL (very funny with Neil Patrick Harris, whom I love) before I fell back to sleep.
I woke up at 9:45am, called Eric and told him what happened. I told him that even though I had a good night’s sleep, I was SO groggy, which is why I don’t like to take the NYQUIL. He said, “If you’re still tired, go back to sleep!” So, after I hung up the phone, I did!
I woke up again at 11:30am. It’s pretty amazing how many hours sleep I got -- about two hours from 10-12, then about 8 hours with the NYQUIL, then 2 more!
When I finally got up I had breakfast (cereal), then worked more on my decoupage project. The box is totally finished. I applied my “Made with love by Peppy” label on the bottom. Then, I sanded the giant wood beads I will be painting black to use as the feet.
I decided to ride my bicycle to the shopping center (3 miles each way), so I could get the guy at the bike shop to check the bike and make sure I put the wheel back on correctly, buy a bike rack for the back and a lock, too, so I could lock it up when I go into a store.
It was a gorgeous day – 67 degrees – and the sun was shining. All I wore was my bicycle jersey and bicycle shorts and it was perfect. I rode straight to the bicycle shop (QUALITY BICYCLES in the Clairemont Town Square shopping center) and got all set up. He also put a reflector on the bike rack for me, in case I ever ride at night (which I don’t anticipate but, hey – you never know!).
When I left there I rode to STARBUCKS. It was very interesting, because the CHARGERS were in the playoffs today and EVERYONE in San Diego was inside watching TV. The streets were pretty deserted, as were the stores. I knew the CHARGERS weren’t doing well, because I kept hearing people screaming as I was riding my bicycle past houses, and it didn’t sound like cheers, but screams of disappointment.
When I spoke to Eric, he told me the GIANTS lost, as well as the CHARGERS. Oh, well.
Anyway, as I was riding to STARBUCKS it was starting to get a little chilly, because I was riding on the shady side of the street. When I stepped into STARBUCKS it felt like they had the heat on. I was going to get a hot drink, but I figured then I’d have to sit there until the whole thing was finished, so I got a frappuccino, which I could hold as I rode back. I sat for a few minutes and enjoyed the drink and then got back on the bicycle.
I actually put my drink in the pocket in the back of my jersey, which worked out great! I had my cell phone, keys, and other stuff in a small bicycle bag which is strapped to my new bike rack and I wore the lock in a circle over my head and shoulder, which the guy at the bicycle shop told me was the easiest way to carry it. It all worked out great!
When I got home I was tired, but also exhilarated. The ride really felt great!
I had my leftover Kung Pao Shrimp and rice for dinner and then varnished the top of the decoupaged box. It really came out beautifully. I have to do the sides, and then the bottom. I need to paint the ball feet black and then have the holes drilled in the bottom of the box to attach them, and then I will line the whole inside with the black velvet, so there are quite a few steps left.
Decoupage is much more time-consuming and complicated than jewelry mosaics, because there’s so much “finishing.” With my jewelry mosaic projects, when the jewelry is glued, it’s done. No varnishing, or painting (at least not afterwards), no lining, etc. So, decoupage projects tend to take a lot longer. I really want this to be well-varnished, because I’m hoping they will have it for many, many years to come and I want it to look great!
Tomorrow I am having lunch with Stacie from work. I haven’t seen her since the office party a month ago, but we talk on FACEBOOK all the time, so I do manage to stay up-to-date on what’s going on with all the girls.
Tonight I watched EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and DVR’d the GOLDEN GLOBES, so I can watch tomorrow and fast forward through the speeches if I don’t know or care about the person. For me it’s all about the fashion!
I got an email from an old college friend, Robin, who lives in Jersey. She had written to wish me and Eric a happy new year and find out how we’re doing. I felt bad writing back and telling her the whole saga of the last year, but she wrote back right away and was very sympathetic, but also REALLY happy I’m coming back in the spring. It IS very gratifying that so many people are happy we’re coming back. It makes it that much easier to know there are so many friends waiting with open arms for us.
Anyway, Robin asked if I’d like a visitor and I told her DEFINITELY! So, she’s planning to come out for a week in February. I am SO happy! We’ve been friends for over 30 years (we went to college together) and she’s so much fun to be with. I’m already planning all the fun places I’ll take her, and the great restaurants we’ll go to.
I told her to be prepared to gain weight, because I’m going to take her to all the places Eric and I take our friends when they come – HAIKU for sushi (in Pacific Beach), THE BIG KITCHEN (in South Park) and THE WAFFLE STOP (on Hotel Circle) for breakfast, TASTE OF THAI (in Hillcrest), and THE STUDIO DINER (open 24 hours right here in Clairemont) for good old diner food! I can also take her to a great Vietnamese or Chinese restaurant on Convoy Street. And then there’s Little Italy! Oh, we’ll be eatin’ out alright!
I also told her I’d take her to the zoo, Mission Bay, shopping in Hillcrest and La Jolla, and to my yoga class on Tuesday night. She’s very excited about that. Robin was a professional dancer for many years and still loves to dance, but now she’s really into ballroom. She told me she’s going to find a place that teaches West Coast Swing, which is what she’s into right now, and we’ll go together. That’s something I’M very excited about! I told her I’ve been talking about taking ballroom classes since I got here, but never got my act together!
It’s wonderful to have something great like this to look forward to. Can you tell I’m excited?