VOTE FOR STACIE!!!!!
In the “MY GRAMMY MOMENT” VIDEO CONTEST
http://www.cbs.com/specials/grammys/moment/

If I told you there are probably 4 or 5 people in the United States who care less about the Super Bowl than me, would you believe me?  Okay, I would have liked to have seen Jennifer Hudson lip sync to herself singing the National Anthem, and I would have laughed at a few of the commercials, I’m sure, but – other than that – no interest at ALL.  I don’t even care about Bruce Springstein (not a fan!).

So, I made sure I was out and about today doing things with other non-super bowl people.
I spoke to Eric and was happy to hear he was invited to our friends’ house to watch the game.  Eric’s a BIG football fan, so I knew that would make him happy!  It’s no fun to watch the game alone (or watch it with me either).

I watched some TV, worked on the computer, and got out of the apartment at around 1:00pm.  It was a gorgeous day and I was headed to North Park to attend a craft show run by the SAN DIEGO CRAFT MAFIA at FILTER, a local coffee bar.

It was great to see all the CRAFT MAFIA girls again.  I haven’t been to one of their shows in a while and I probably won’t see them again before I leave, so I’m glad I got a chance to say goodbye.

I bought another CRAFT MAFIA t-shirt ($10), because I wear my other one ALL the time and I love it.  The one I have is black with the logo in pink.  I got another black one with the logo in bright green.  The t-shirt is such good quality.  It’s really small (most t-shirts go down to my knees, but this “small” is really small!  I’ve worn and washed the one I have at least 50 times and it still looks brand new (I don’t put it in the dryer!), and I figure I’ll be able to still support them even after I move back to NYC!

I hung out there and looked at all the crafts and talked to the Mafia girls for at least an hour and then headed to see a free choir concert at San Diego State University.  Unfortunately, I got so frustrated, because no one could tell me where to park and where exactly the concert was.  There were lots, but they said you had to have a permit and, as far as I could see, no one was working there.

I saw a Campus Security guy in a car, so I pulled up next to him and rolled down my window, so I could ask him where to park.  He was on his cell phone and didn’t even look to see who was pulled up next to him, so I honked my horn.  He didn’t miss a beat and kept talking, and not looking my way!  I honked my horn again.  He TOTALLY ignored me and continued his cell phone conversation, which I could tell was non-business related.

I got SO mad that I just left.  I guess I didn’t want to go to the free concert THAT badly, but I just wish they had some signs posted, or that someone knew what the story was!  I wish I could report that idiot, too, because I might have been trying to get his attention with an emergency or something and he was just totally irresponsible and unprofessional.

I stopped at Keil’s on my way home and got a six-piece sushi to have for lunch.  I guess maybe that’s why I left, too – I was STARVING!  Maybe that's what made me so cranky and impatient!  I had only had cereal for breakfast and it was now 3:30pm, so I clearly hadn’t thought this out very well!

When I got home I had my sushi (yum!) and worked on the computer, voting for Stacie, talking on FACEBOOK and answering emails.  I also posted some old pictures today that I found while looking through some boxes.  Here's a few.

Our first Halloween together in 1982 was at a party with all my theatre friends.  Eric fit right in.  He was a gangster and I was his gun moll.  I had that platinum wig for YEARS until it finally fell apart!

These pictures were taken at ADVENTURER'S INN, a local amusement park in Flushing, NY in November 1982.  My hair was pretty much the same length it is now!

This picture was taken before I met Eric.  It was some kind of Seidman Family Circle function with all the cousins, probably late '70s/early '80s.  In case you can't find me, I'm all the way on the right, seated.

Then, I took a nap.  I was telling Jimmy this morning that my sleep pattern has become completely insane.  I had the same thing going when I was out of work in NY.  I got into a VERY bad habit, after we put the house up for sale, of taking a nap every afternoon.  It’s funny, because my 78-year-old mother does that every day, but I’m only 51.  What’s UP with that? 

When I’m working I hardly EVER get that afternoon slump where you need a sugar fix or a coffee pick-me-up.  I am up and at ’em all day long.  But, when I don’t have anything else to do, my bed just calls to me and a mid-afternoon nap is HEAVEN!

I have always loved naps.  I can remember when I still lived at home (which means I was under 21) taking a nap in my bedroom with the shade up and the sun blaring into the room.  To me, there was something so luxurious about sleeping while the sun was shining.  I loved it then, and I love it now.  So, almost every single day I’ve taken to my bed in the afternoon for at least an hour or two.  I’ve read a lot on napping and apparently it’s very healty.  If so, I should live to be 100!

After my nap I got busy around the apartment.  Robin’s coming next Friday and I will be cleaning and organizing all week, so that everything is perfect for her!  I  cleaned the kitchen, and was happy I found the Brita filters, so I can make sure the water is perfectly filtered and fresh (I don’t believe in bottled water – too much waste).

I put away all the laundry that had been hanging on the line and organized my desk.  My desk gets so messy so fast.  I need to leave things out all the time, because if I put anything away I forget about it, so I have notes to myself everywhere, and papers I need to follow-up on right in front of my face.

I started watching THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA on one of the cable channels and did something during every commercial.  I enjoy the cast and of course the clothes are fabulous, but it kind of annoys me in the same way UGLY BETTY has been annoying me (and Jimmy) for the past few episodes.  Everyone gets so mad at Andrea (and Betty) for pursuing her career and devoting herself completely to it, but that’s really what you need to do in this world to succeed.  We must all decide when we want to work and when we want to play. 

For most of my life, I had jobs with very little responsibility, because I always had so much going on outside of my job.  I was either performing in a musical somewhere, singing in a band, having fun with Eric and our wide circle of friends, or working in cabarets and nightclubs.  I very rarely did any overtime, and didn’t really have to worry about my job once I left the building.  That’s the way I preferred it for a long time.  I had lots of jobs, but they were not a career.  They were just JOBS.

Before I quit PricewaterhouseCoopers, I had one of those jobs that became a career, where you devote your life to your boss.  I worked for a partner for three years.  Towards the end, I was putting in 12 hour days, because that’s what it took to stay on top of things.  Eric didn’t mind, he was very understanding and supportive.  The truth is – I didn’t have a choice.  If I wanted to stay in that job, do well, succeed and help my boss succeed, I had to work like a dog, which meant calling in while I was on vacation, and putting in lots of overtime (which I got paid very well for, by the way).

I made a choice – for a while – that I wasn’t going to have much of a life outside of work.  It was MY choice and I was lucky I had the support of my husband.  When I decided I wanted to run my own business I worked six or seven days a week and didn’t have much of a life outside the shop.  I didn’t do anything that didn’t in some way connect with my business, except for my after-shop social life with Eric.  Even that was impacted by my business.  We could never have dinner before 7:30pm.

Oh, I could occasionally close a few hours early and make it into the city to see friends, or catch a Broadway musical, and I had late dinners with friends all the time, but I didn’t do anything on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon for 5 years.  I missed a lot of barbecues, wedding and baby showers, and other afternoon engagements.  In five years in the shop I closed for the day about 5 times.

That’s because I decided, when I opened my business, that I was going to devote my life to that shop.  It is the only way to succeed -- and I DID succeed.  Again, I was lucky that Eric supported me completely.  He had his own hobbies (mountain biking) and kept very busy without me!

There is no career that works from 9-5.  If you’re working 9-5, you have a job.  When you’re working 7 days a week, or 12 hours a day, if you’re calling in to work constantly when you’re sick, or checking your work emails at all hours when you’re home – you have a career.  We all have to decide what we want to have in life.  Do you want to have a job or a career?

There’s nothing wrong with JUST having a job, but it better be because your after-work life is so great that you just can’t bear to devote any more time to a job.  If you’ve got an active social life, many hobbies and passions, and people you love to be with, then if you decide you just want to have a job, I say, “More power to you!”

We each have to make that choice at some point in our lives.  It’s a lot easier to have a career when you’re young and can exist on 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night, and don’t have the responsibilities of marriage and children.

I’m at the stage now where I am happy just having a job.  I have a lot going on outside work, with my crafting, and other hobbies, and I just want a paycheck.  Working is just a necessary evil at this point.  If I didn’t HAVE to work – ever again – I don’t think I’d have a problem with it, although I WOULD get extremely fat and lazy!  I think having a routine, having someplace to go every day, and socializing every day is actually healthy.

So, when I get back to NY, I look forward to temping and working in an office again, but it definitely won’t be a career.  It will just be a way to make money and keep busy (and stop napping!) until I figure out what comes next!

VOTE FOR STACIE!!!!!
In the “MY GRAMMY MOMENT” VIDEO CONTEST
http://www.cbs.com/specials/grammys/moment/

I didn’t leave the apartment until almost 3:00pm today.  It’s getting harder and harder for me to get going in the morning.  I wake up the same time, or earlier, every single day, but then I just hang around the apartment, cleaning, working on the computer, watching pre-recorded marathons of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL and keeping Conrad company.

It’s not like I have an excuse for being such a hermit.  It was 75 degrees out today and you’d think, knowing that next February I’m going to be in freezing cold New York, I’d take advantage and spend every waking hour on the Streets of San Diego!

If someone invites me out to lunch, or if I have any kind of real errand to run (post office, or I need something from the craft store), I can get up and go.  Otherwise, I find myself procrastinating a LOT.  It really bothers me, because my days here are numbered and I really want to take advantage of everything there is to offer here.

That’s why I’m so happy Robin is coming this Friday.  Being with her for a week will get me up and out early and I’m sure we’ll be running around all week long.  It will be good for me.

I decided to go walking, but decided not to just walk along Clairemont Drive, because that’s already getting old.  So, I drove through Starbucks, visited a HALLMARK store to buy a few birthday cards, stopped into a fabric store, just to browse, and then headed to Balboa Park.

It was such a glorious day and the park was pretty crowded for a Monday afternoon.  There was a big tour bus and lots of people walking around with cameras taking pictures.  I guess I looked like a tourist, because I also had my camera and took a lot of pictures.

The architecture at Balboa Park is just magnificent.  Most everything there was built between 1900 – 1925 and it is very ornate.  The park is kept in perfect, meticulous condition.  There is no litter. 

This guy was just sitting on a bench playing his sax.  The interesting thing was the song he was playing: The theme to the TV show THE ODD COUPLE!  I could hear it, and recognized it, long before I actually saw him.  The song choice struck me as SO funny!  He had a music stand and I could read the words "THE ODD COUPLE" on the music.  I wonder if he's learning it for some production somewhere!

The landscaping is fabulous and, even in early February, there are lots of flowers to admire.
I didn’t visit any museums or other attractions, because I want to wait for Robin, so I just walked and walked and took a lot of pictures.

This is a picture of a metal grate that surrounds each tree in the park.  I thought it was so art-deco and so beautiful that I just had to photograph it!

I walked around for over an hour and then headed back to the car.  When I got back to the apartment I cooked a piece of salmon and made a big salad.  I didn’t take a nap today, even though I felt like I could.  I just worked on the computer and watched TV, talked to Eric, and filled out my birthday cards.  I am going to try to get to sleep at a decent hour tonight, since I didn’t take a nap.  We’ll see how that turns out!

VOTE FOR STACIE!!!!!
In the “MY GRAMMY MOMENT” VIDEO CONTEST
http://www.cbs.com/specials/grammys/moment/

I didn’t take a nap yesterday and I was STILL up until almost 2:00pm.  I did manage to sleep until 8:40am, so at least I got about 6 hours.  Sometimes I go to bed at 2:00am and get up at 7:30am.  That’s not good!

It was a hot one today!  When I left the apartment at 12:30pm it was 85 degrees, according to the CITIBANK clock/thermometer!  I had NO idea it was that hot.  It’s a good thing I didn’t figure it out first, because that would have been the perfect excuse to drive instead of riding my bicycle to the post office this afternoon.

I spent the morning getting cards together and preparing all the tax papers I needed to send to Eric.  He will then add his papers and bring it to our accountant, who is in Flushing.  I HATE this time of year – winter and taxes.  Could it be any worse?

So, I rode my bicycle in the heat (not REALLY complaining, but it was hot) to the post office.  I mailed all my letters and then illegally posted my VOTE FOR STACIE poster.  I wanted to put her next to the MOST WANTED posters (aren’t they supposed to be hanging in the post office), but they only had bulletin boards behind glass with a key and there wasn’t much of interest in there.  I asked if I could post something and they said no, so I just took an EXPRESS MAIL sticker and stuck the poster up anyway.  I figure even if it’s only there for a few hours, someone might vote!

Next, I rode my bicycle to the CLAIREMONT TOWN SQUARE shopping center and posted the poster in the STARBUCKS there.  That used to be “my Starbucks” until the new one opened on the corner of Balboa and Clairemont Drive.  Not only is it newer, bigger and better, but it’s a DRIVE THROUGH!!!!!!

Actually, before the CLAIREMONT TOWN SQUARE Starbucks was “my Starbucks,” there was another I used to frequent in Pacific Beach, which was also a drive-through, but as soon as I discovered the one in Clairemont I never went back to the other one.  It’s been MONTHS!

I also used the opportunity to transfer a $100 gift card to my STARBUCKS automatic reload card.  I got the $100 gift card through my credit card – instead of airline miles or any other gift cards to stores or restaurants I decided to get that, because I know I’ll really use it.  I could have gotten $80 cash, but I figure if I’m getting $20 more and I know I’ll spend it, it’s like getting $20 free!
After I did that I rode my bicycle to the other STARBUCKS (on the corner of Balboa and Clairemont Drive).  I had already posted a poster, but it was gone, so I put up another one and got a venti iced decaf non-fat mocha.  I didn’t even have to ask for it, the girl behind the counter knows my drink.  Wow!  I guess I AM a regular, aren’t I?

I also posted the poster in a STARBUCKS on the corner of 30th Street and El Cajon on Sunday when I went to the craft fair at FILTER.  So, now Stacie’s poster is hanging in three different STARBUCKS and in the Clairemont Post office – at least for now!

I completely forgot I had yoga tonight until about 4:30pm.  I relaxed for a while and then went to class.  It was SO great.  I just love my teacher and I love this class.  I can’t wait for Robin to experience it next Tuesday, because she’ll be here with me and wants to go to class with me.  That will be a lot of fun.

As I drank my iced mocha I sat outside the Starbucks under an umbrella and had a great conversation with my Mom.  She’s the cutest.

Then, as I was riding my bicycle home, I had a problem with the chain.  It fell off the gear, or something like that (don’t ask, because I don’t know).  I got off the bike and called Eric.  He’s so good with bicycles that he was able to tell me over the phone exactly what to do and I was able to fix it myself and ride home.  He’s the BEST!

I told him it’s so frustrating, because I’m a great bicycle rider, but I don’t know a thing about them.  I guess it’s like driving a car – most people couldn’t fix it if it broke down (but Eric could).  I’m so used to having Eric around to fix everything – and I mean everything – he’s SO handy and smart and technically intelligent and can fix just about anything – electronics, a car, a bicycle, a piece of furniture.

There are only two other people in the world who I know can fix just about anything.  One of them is my Dad.  When we were kids my Dad had a work room in the basement with all his tools and any time any of us would break anything my Mom would say, “Put it on Daddy’s work bench and he’ll fix it for you.”  And he would.

The other person is our friend, Larry.  Geri and Larry used to come to my shop all the time, just to visit, or to shop, or because we were all going out to eat, and almost every time he’d come in I’d have something for Larry to fix.  It could be anything -- a Betty Boop alarm clock that stopped working, a music box, a jointed doll whose strings got too loose, a broken figurine.  Anything that needed to be fixed, you could always count on Larry.  He is super-meticulous, too.  Everything looked brand new when Larry was done with it.  He’s so talented!

Anyway, when I got home I had a bowl of cereal and watched THE BIGGEST LOSER.  It is very dramatic this season.  Usually most everybody gets along pretty good, but this season there is a woman that everybody hates.  I can’t wait to see her in the finale.  My guess is she won’t have lost very much weight.  They voted her off (along with her partner, who WAS working hard) because she was lazy and didn’t put 100% effort into her work-outs and wasn’t losing weight the way she should have been.

Most of these people lose double digits every week.  Can you imagine losing more than 10 pounds in one week?  That’s because they are watching their diets very carefully, and working out for at least 5 hours a day!

This show is really inspirational and most of the time I’m sitting there eating while I watch it.  Okay, I’m not eating a box of cookies, but I still feel guilty that I can’t shed the lousy 10 pounds I want to get rid of, and these people are losing 80, 90 and 100 pounds in just 4 months!
Tomorrow I start “the big clean up.”  I am going to tear apart this place and put it back together again and it will be pristine and lovely for Robin’s arrival on Friday.  Could I BE more excited?  I don’t think so!

VOTE FOR STACIE!!!!!
In the “MY GRAMMY MOMENT” VIDEO CONTEST
http://www.cbs.com/specials/grammys/moment/

It was another hot one today, although not as hot as yesterday.  The problem with my apartment is that it’s usually cooler OUTSIDE than it is INSIDE and when I’m busy cleaning, I’m also busy schvitzing.  Anyway, I just worked through it, figuring that I was burning a few extra calories!  I did a lot of dusting today, removing everything from a lot of the shelves in the dining and living room, dusting the items, dusting the shelves, and then putting everything back.

Sometimes I do what I call the “lazy dust” where I just move the items to one side of the shelf, dust, then move the items to the other side, dust and lightly dust each item as I move them.  This was the REAL dusting, where every item got wiped down with a damp cloth, then dried with flannel, and the shelves were vacuumed and then wiped down, too.  I used to do that with all the Betty Boop items on the 14-foot wall unit that Eric built in our house in Whitestone.  It would take me ALL DAY LONG.

I also did two loads of laundry, drove through Starbucks and then went to HOME DEPOT to get some flowers for the pots outside my front door.  There are five pots outside.  Two have had beautiful purple flowers growing in them non-stop since we planted them a year ago.  They keep flowering, even though I never even water them! The other three pots have had flowers planted in them several times, but they always die!  I figured I’d get pansies and calendula and just hope they last for another 10 weeks.  At least they’ll look good for the next week, while Robin’s here!  I really don’t care what happens after that.

I bought yellow, purple and burgundy pansies and bright orange calendula, which look like daisies.  They were all .98 cents each, so I got 9 plants for $9.50.  I put five in the big center pot and two each in the side pots.  The pansies and calendula both do well in part-sun, part-shade, which is what I get on the porch.  The sun shines all morning, and then it’s shady all afternoon.  It looks SO pretty!  I’ll have to take pictures tomorrow and post them on the blog.  Very colorful!  I figure when I leave here in April I’ll give the pots to Rosemary or Elsa.  They both have houses with backyards and they’ve both been so good to me.

When I was doing laundry I ran into the building manager and he introduced me to the owner of the building complex where I live.  I went on and on about how much I love living here and how great Bret keeps everything, and how sorry I was that I have to leave.  I talked to him about the fact that Eric was already back in NY and that I’ll be joining him in a few months.  He was very nice and told me he lived here, in two different apartments for 9 years, until he and his wife built a house.

Bret and his wife, Laura, have a new baby named Julianne.  She is such a cutie.  She is about 3 months old now and when I have my door open, and they have their door open, I can sometimes hear her crying.  I actually find the sound quite enjoyable.  It’s so nice to have a baby around.  I once offered to babysit, and they know I’m not working, but I guess they figure they really have no idea who I am and wouldn’t leave their baby with a tenant, rather than a friend or relative.

I spoke to my friends Susan and Andrew this morning.  They babysit twice a week for their great-nephew, Brandon, who is also about 3 months old.  I told them I can’t wait to meet him when I get back.  It’s so nice to have a baby in your life, don’t you think?  Just because I never wanted to be a mother doesn’t mean I don’t love babies.  Anyone who knows me knows I am a “baby magnet.”  If there’s a baby around, I always coo over it and “ooh and ah,” and want to hold it, if I can.  I just love babies!  Kids -- not so much!

And in between every single thing I did today, I voted.  I voted before I ate.  I voted after I showered.  I voted before I did laundry.  I voted before and after I washed the dishes.  I voted WHILE I talked on the phone (yes, I can do my voting with one hand!).  I voted after I dusted.  I voted before I went to Starbucks.  I voted after I planted the flowers.  I voted before I fed Conrad.  I voted after dinner.  I voted before I watched HGTV.  I voted after I went on FACEBOOK and I voted in between every email I read and sent!

Yes, folks, I am taking this VERY seriously, because this is SO important to Stacie.  She REALLY wants this and I want to do everything in my power to make it happen.  If Stacie doesn’t get into the Top 3 on Friday at least I will know I did everything I could.  I want to thank those of you who have taken the time to vote.  I DO appreciate it – especially Jimmy, whom Stacie calls “Her Night In Shining Armor!”

I was talking to Jimmy and to Stacie about the fact that this voting-driven contest made me think a lot about AMERICAN IDOL, which is also voting driven.  The judges have the first say as to whom will make it to the top 24, but then – once the real competition starts – it’s all about the votes.  I realize that it’s SO unfair, because people have sometimes stayed in the game so much longer than they deserved to, or were eliminated much earlier than they should have, simply because they did or did not have the votes.

If you are semi-talented, but come from a small town in Arkansas and the ENTIRE town knows you and they name a street after you and they all vote all night long, you may stay longer than someone from a big city like Chicago, or L.A., or N.Y., where people really couldn’t care less and your school or place of worship may be the only support you have.  Know what I mean?  Right now, Stacie is fighting for her life, but she’s 37 and a wife and mother with two young sons, and a full-time job.  What hope does she have against a bunch of kids (I don’t think ANY of the top 10 is over 21) who have nothing better to do all day than vote?

Speaking of AMERICAN IDOL, I watched “group night” tonight in Hollywood, which always provides TONS of drama.  It’s amazing to see really talented people sabotage themselves (and others).  Why does that happen?  Who knows.  Anyway, there are now 75 left and next week it will get whittled down to the finalists.

Anyway, I’m so proud of Stacie, and so happy that she has gone on this “great adventure.”  I know she will always remember it, and the love and support she received from her friends, co-workers, family, and community.

I watched the third episode of a new show I’m REALLY enjoying called “Lie To Me,” which is about a team of experts who are better able to tell lies from truth than a polygraph.  It’s a really good crime show.  I highly recommend it!

Tomorrow it’s more cleaning and more voting.  Same for Friday, until I pick Robin up at the airport on Friday evening and the WEEK OF ADVENTURE begins.  That’s what I’m calling it, “Peppy and Robin’s Week of Adventure!”  Boy, we’re going to have fun!

VOTE FOR STACIE!!!!!
In the “MY GRAMMY MOMENT” VIDEO CONTEST
http://www.cbs.com/specials/grammys/moment/

If you don’t vote for Stacie before noon tomorrow (Friday), she MAY not get into the Top 3 and be seen on The GRAMMY Awards, Sunday night at 8:00pm on CBS!

So, please – take a few moments right now to click on the link above and vote.  You can ALWAYS read my blog, but you can’t always vote for Stacie.  (Unless she DOES get into the Top 3 and then I’ll be begging you to vote for her until Monday, so she can win the Grand Prize of $5,000.)

So, what did I do today?  I cleaned my butt off.  Well, not literally.  Anyway, I’d much rather clean my flabby thighs off, but it never works that way, does it?  Anyway, all I did again today was clean and vote, vote and clean.  I scrubbed the entire kitchen – cabinets, floor, sink, stove, fridge.  I also took everything off my desk, took off the velvet cover on the wood frame Eric built, and vacuumed and dusted that off before replacing it and rearranging all the accessories.  I moved my printer from the desk to the top of a small oak filing cabinet I have right next to the desk.  It looks so much nicer!

I told Eric this is the LAST thorough cleaning I will do on this apartment before I move.  For the next 10 weeks I will just be “maintaining” instead of “tearing down and rebuilding.”  This is the kind of cleaning that Eric and I used to do together in the house before a party.  I’d be in charge of dusting all the knick-knacks (hey, most of them were mine anyway!).  I’d also do the kitchen.  Eric would do the bathroom, and all the wood floors, and take care of anything outside, too.
Then, we’d decorate together and get everything ready.

I would always be freaked out when we were having a big party (and we had many, many during the 21 years we were in that house).  He’d always call me the “hysterical housewife,” or H.H. for short.  It’s just that I always want everything to be perfect.  And I know nobody notices half the stuff I do, and I know I don’t notice that kind of stuff when I go to other people’s houses, I just put all this pressure on myself and I don’t even understand why.  I always keep the place clean, but I still find it necessary to scrub everything from top to bottom when company’s coming, just to be sure.  Okay, so I’m neurotic.  Big surprise!

So, Robin (who is arriving tomorrow at 5:30pm -- wheeee!) called in the afternoon and told me she heard that it’s going to be raining here until Wednesday.  Meanwhile, I’m living here in San Diego and I didn’t hear a word about it.  She’s in New Jersey and she’s up on everything.  I told her that was ridiculous and that I DID hear it was supposed to get cooler, which was a good thing, but I hadn’t heard anything about rain.

So, this afternoon I went out at about 4:30pm and saw that the ground was wet and all the cars in the parking lot were soaked.  It had rained and I didn’t even hear it or notice it!  I had the front door open all day and I can see outside when I’m working at the computer, so it must have been after 3:30pm, when I closed the door to go into the shower, that it rained. 

I got in the car and it started raining again when I got on I-5.  It was really coming down – at least for San Diego.  I called Robin and when she answered I said, “I hope you’re happy!  It’s pouring!”  She was laughing so hard.  Meanwhile, I told her that even the absolute worst San Diego weather you can imagine is ten times better than New Jersey in February, so she shouldn’t be too worried.  Also, we have plans for lots of indoor outings anyway, like the museums and aquarium, so we can do the indoor stuff until it stops raining and then do the zoo and the whale watching when the sun comes back out.

I can’t complain when it rains here, because it happens so infrequently and we definitely need it.  There’s such a desperate water shortage in San Diego – continuously.  I don’t think they EVER have enough water here.  I know we've been through some awful water shortages in New York and it was so sad to drive around and see everybody's lawn dead and their cars dirty, because watering lawns and washing cars was resricted.  Here's its just the way it is.  All year long -- every year.

So, it was good that the plants on the porch got watered naturally today and I don’t have to worry about watering them for the next few days.

It also cooled off a LOT.  On Tuesday when I rode my bicycle it was 85 degrees.  Today, when I left the apartment at 4:30pm it was 60 degrees.  I much prefer 65-70.  That’s my perfect temperature, so if we can just get the rain to stop long enough for us to have a few outings I’ll be happy!

As I was driving home from my Thursday night appointment the light went off letting me know I was on “E.”  I decided to go to COSTCO to fill up, because it’s so much cheaper than any other gas station around.  Gas DID go up a lot in the last few weeks, because I was paying as low as $1.60 and now I paid $2.10.  It still only cost me $25 to fill up, vs. the $32 or higher it was costing when I was back in NY.  I just hope it doesn’t go back up as high as it was in 2007/2008!

I watched UGLY BETTY, which is getting a little annoying.  I heard the show is going off the air for a while and being replaced by some other new shows until the summer.  I’m going to miss it, because I still enjoy it, but some of the story lines DO frustrate me.  Anyway, I spent the rest of the night voting, because it’s really now or never.  I just have to keep my fingers crossed (which makes it very hard to vote!), because I REALLY want this to happen for Stacie!  So, wish us luck and GET VOTING!

I woke up at 9:00am and cleaned and voted until noon.  Unfortunately, Stacie did not make it into the Top 3.  She was actually 4th, so it might have been REALLY close, but you know what they say about “close, but no cigar.”  Anyway, Stacie had a blast during this whole adventure and I told her she brought a lot of excitement to MY life these past few weeks!

After noon I did three loads of laundry, washing three blankets, some linens, my bathrobe, and lots of towels, so everything would be perfectly fresh for Robin.  Then, I ran and got a pedicure, and from there I got my color touched up.  I was close to the airport, so from there I just drove to the “cell phone parking area,” where you can wait until the passenger arrives.  I called CONTINENTAL and heard that Robin’s plane had landed, so I decided to drive up to the baggage claim and see if I could see her.

Suddenly my phone rang and when I told her what color my car was she saw ME and was out 5 seconds later.  Best airport pick-up EVER!  It was SO great to see Robin.  It’s been about 2 years since we saw each other, but she looks exactly the same.  The only change is that her hair is a little shorter than I remembered.  Mine is a LOT shorter than she remembered!

From there we went to Pacific Beach to CAFÉ 976, because Robin wasn’t that hungry (she said they gave her SO much food and snacks on the plane) and was in the mood for a salad.  I told her they have great food and it’s a fun place.  I had a veggie sandwich with all kinds of great stuff on toasted rye.  Robin had a veggie chicken wrap.  Both came with a side salad.

We talked and laughed all through dinner.  Robin and I have always had the kind of relationship where we never run out of things to say.  There’s either a story to fill each other in on, or remembering something that happened years ago.  We have 30 years of history to remember, and it’s always fun to talk about old times.

After dinner we came back to the apartment and I gave Robin the 3-minute tour.  She loved the apartment, which made me very happy of course after all the cleaning and organizing I did preparing for her arrival!

Robin showed me the website for the place where she works -- Fairlawn Community Center, which is the George Frey Center for Arts and Recreation.  I took the virtual tour and saw all the facilities.  Robin is the Corporate and Cultural Planner there.  The place was built 3 or 4 years ago and is really magnificent.  There is an arcade room, lounge, gymnasium, art studio, workout room with lockers and showers, as well as a 170 state-of-the-art theatre, a meeting room, computer room, and rooms for events.  Robin has been working there for 2 years.

Robin was still on East Coast time, so she got tired very quickly, so I started blogging while she relaxed in bed.  Tomorrow we get massages, which will start our week together off nicely, don’t you think?

I woke up at almost 8:00am and went outside to see if Robin was awake.  She was.  She told me she didn’t sleep very well.  I was afraid of that.  There’s a bar that runs right down the sleeper sofa.  If you sleep on one side, you’re fine.  If you sleep on the other side, you’re fine.  If you sleep in the middle, or if part of your body goes in the middle, you have that bar in your side or your back.  I told Robin I’d be happy to sleep out in the living room, because I did it when Jimmy came, and again when Rich came, and they were comfy in my bed and I slept like a baby in the living room.

Unfortunately, Robin insisted.  Aside from the bar, the forced air going on and off all night long kept waking her up (it drove me CRAZY when we first moved here, until I got used to it).  She said it felt like the air was cold.  I told her that the air coming out of the vents is hot, but it pushes the air into the room and the cold air comes your way because the hot air is pushing it, so you actually get a cold draft.  It’s the worst type of system EVER!

Anyway, I told her she could come back to bed in my bed, so we we talked for a while and then we both took a nap.  We got back up at around 10:30am, but we were just hanging around talking.  At around 11:30am, Robin got the idea that we should skip showers and walk to Starbucks and back, because she felt like she needed to get out and exercise.  It had been raining in the morning, but now the sun was shining.  By the time we got out it was noon.  I was a little nervous, because we had to be at Lotus Sanctuary for our massages at 1:00pm, but off we went.

We got there and it was getting late, so we just started walking briskly back with our drinks in hand and got right into the car to go to Hillcrest.  We got there about 10 minutes late, but it worked out perfectly, because she was just saying goodbye to her previous client.

I went in first while Robin relaxed.  My massage was fantastic.  Leah is SO great and she has magical, healing hands that just relax you totally.  When I was done Robin went in for her massage and I sat outside reading my mail and then reading READER’S DIGEST, which I haven’t read in a long time.  My first job EVER was temping at READER’S DIGEST in New York – 750 Third Avenue, at 46th Street.  I temped there for TWO YEARS – and then left to go work full time at Price Waterhouse.  It was a great job and I had a great time there.

I was so happy that Robin enjoyed her massage as much as I enjoyed mine.  She came out in a trance-like state and said that Leah was wonderful!

Anyway, after our massages we were STARVING.  It had rained while we were inside (lucky again), and had cooled off a lot.  We came back to the apartment and got jackets and then turned right around and got back in the car and went to the CLAIREMONT TOWN SQUARE to go to CHILI’S for a late lunch (it was now after 3:30pm).  First we stopped into COLD STONE CREAMERY, because I had gotten an email saying they were having a grand opening event today, but it must have been another store because nothin’ was happening at this one!

We went to Chilis and shared a Hot Spinach and Artichoke dip and each got a salad with Grilled Shrimp.  Delicious.  It really hit the spot, because all we had eaten all day was a bowl of Special K Chocolately Delight with vanilla soy milk.  We rushed through lunch/dinner, because we saw there was a 4:55pm showing of HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU in the same shopping center.  We jumped back in the car, drove to the other side of the shopping center and got there just as the previews were starting.

We both REALLY enjoyed the movie.  First of all, it’s a great, young all-star cast with Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Kevin Connelly, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Connelly, Justin Long and Ginnifer Goodwin.  If you’re a single guy or girl dating in this country right now, you need to see this movie.  It really gives you a lot of insight into the ways of the dating world these days.  The modern technology with cell phones, emails, texting, MYSPACE, and voicemail really makes dating a lot more complicated than it was in MY day!

After the movie we went back to COLD STONE CREAMERY – but don’t despair!  We both got 25 calorie strawberry yogurt that was tangy and delicious!  Guilt free dessert.  Now, I must admit, I would MUCH rather have had the Peanut Butter and chocolate I usually get mixed in, but this did satisfy my sweet tooth.

Now, we were getting tired.  After all we had walked and talked, massaged, eaten, and watched for the past few hours.  We were going to just head home but we decided to pick up a few things at KEIL’S.  It turned out to be a LOT of things, but we are set for the week and this way we won’t have to eat out as much.  We can try to just eat out once a day, and eat the other two meals at home to save money AND our waistlines!

When we got home we put all the groceries away and then Robin went on the computer to find some dances for us to go to.  She found two dances that have free classes before, so we’re going to a West Coast swing class tomorrow night, followed by a dance, and then an Argentine Tango class on Friday night, followed by a dance.  Robin would go dancing every single night if I had the energy (and the talent).  She’s a great dancer and it’s a real passion of hers.  I just hope I can keep up with her!

We finally took showers and got into our pajamas.  We were laughing about the fact that we had gone the entire day without taking a shower, which is definitely not the norm!  I felt bad for the city of San Diego!

Tomorrow morning we’re going to try a yoga studio that’s right across the street from STARBUCKS on BALBOA and CLAIREMONT DRIVE.  I’ve been wanting to try HAVEN YOGA, but they never had a class I wanted to take at a time when I could go.  When I was riding my bicycle the other day I decided to stop by and get another schedule and I saw that they’ve changed their classes and now have a GENTLE YOGA class at 11:00am on Sundays, which is PERFECT for me.  So, we’re going to try it together tomorrow.  I hope it’s good, because then I could go to HAVEN on Sundays and to GINSENG on Tuesdays, and wouldn’t that be nice?

I spoke to Eric a few times today.  He sent me the SWEETEST card I think he ever wrote in the 27 years I know him.  It brought tears to my eyes.  He is so excited about me coming back to NY and so looking forward to our life together when I arrive.  It makes me so happy that he’s missing me so much, but at the same time he’s doing so well – working, riding, socializing, and keeping busy.  I miss him just as much and can’t wait to come back to NY.  In the meantime, having Robin here is so comforting, because she’s someone I’ve known and loved for 30 years.  I’ve known her longer than I know Eric!  She’s also so much fun to be with and constantly keeps me laughing.  We’re going to have a great week and have a lot of great adventures planned.  I can’t wait!

We got up at 9:00am today.  Robin slept in bed with me last night and we both got a great night’s sleep (thank goodness).  We got ready for the gentle yoga class and walked with our yoga mats the mile and a half to the yoga studio.  We had a great (although pretty strenuous) gentle yoga class.  I told Robin if this is their idea of “gentle” yoga, I’d hate to do something more challenging!

After class we walked across the street to Starbucks and got a little something to eat and drink.  Then, we walked home.  When we got back to the apartment we just had enough time to relax a little, take showers, get dressed and leave to drive to El Cajon for the West Coast Swing dance class at 3:00pm and the dance social that follows at 4:00pm.

The social takes place each Sunday at an Elks Lodge.  It was kind of funny, because there was a statue of an elk on the roof of the building, but it wasn’t so funny when I saw the heads on the wall.  I don’t like that.  It makes me sad.

Anyway, Robin and I got in free, because it was our first time, but it’s usually $7 for the class and the social is $5.  They give each person a name tag that you wear on your chest.  Mine and Robin’s had a star on it, which means you’re a first-timer.

They had the whole place decorated for Valentine's Day, and most of the men and women had something red on, but Robin and I didn't even think of that!

I thought that I’d be dancing with Robin, or that maybe we’d all be learning the dance in lines or something, but I had no idea how it works in swing dance classes.  The guys stand in one place in a big circle and the girls rotate, dancing for a few minutes with each guy.  The teacher stands in the middle with her partner (in this case, the instructor was a woman and her partner was her husband -- it was very cute), and teaches the step and we all watch.  Then, you do it with a partner a few times, and then move on to the next guy.  Some guys are great dancers and lead you well and actually help you.  Some guys have no idea what they’re doing and are no help at all!

There were about 20 guys and 20 girls and we kept practicing and rotating and learned 4 or 5 steps of West Coast Swing, which is really fun.  The guy has a much harder job than the woman, because he has to move a lot more than the woman does, believe it or not.  This dance is done on a “track” so to speak, because the woman just goes back and forth in one direction and the guy either pulls her toward him, pushes her back, or steps out of the way to turn her or let her pass.  I found it pretty easy to learn some of the steps when I was working with some of the more experienced dancers, but when I was the better of the two I had a harder time.

Robin was doing great, partly because she already knows the dance, and partly because she picks things up so easily.  She’s always been an amazing dancer.  When the class was over, after an hour, the social began.  People were coming up to us and talking to us, telling us how friendly the group was and that they’re “party people” and if we want to have fun we have to come every Sunday, because they know how to have fun!  Meanwhile, there were only a few people in the entire room that were younger than us.  Most of the people there were senior citizens.  Some were as old as 80!  I really didn't mind, because I told Robin that lately I feel very old when I'm around a lot of young people and I'd actually rather be the youngest person in the room than the oldest!

It didn’t seem to matter, because they were all amazing dancers.  I never saw so many great male dancers in one room before.  I was wishing my Dad was there, because my Dad is a fantastic dancer and he and I would have had the best time learning this dance and then doing it together. 

For the rest of the dance, you either ask someone to dance, or they come up and ask you.  A few guys asked me to dance, but I think they were just being kind, because they’re supposed to ask the people with the stars on their name tag, knowing that you’re a “newbie” and wanting to make you feel included.

Here's Robin dancing with one of the many, many men who asked her to dance tonight.  Please note the poor elk on the wall.  Boo hoo!

Robin got asked to dance almost every single dance and I don’t think it had anything to do with the star.  Every guy wanted to dance with her.  I can’t really blame them – she’s beautiful AND a really great dancer.

This guy looks old, but let me tell you, he could really cut a rug!!!!!

Ann and Frank are a great couple who were like the unofficial host and hostess of this event.  They took me and Robin under their wings and insisted on introducing us to people.  He made me ask one guy to dance and danced with me and Robin multiple times.

Here's another guy who was totally smitten with Robin!

It was a nice crowd tonight at the social.  See the nice mirrored ball?

They told us they have been married 54 years and met when they both worked in SEARS.  He was in vacuums; she was in cosmetics.  And they’ve been dancing ever since!  They have four daughters and 11 grandchildren.  They danced so beautifully together.  It was really sweet and romantic.  All the people in this club come every Sunday to dance, socialize, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company.

Here's Robin dancing with Frank!

At one point they made several announcements and asked Robin to stand up and said she was from New Jersey and asked me to stand and said I was from New York.  I stood and said, “New York is in the house!” and raised my arms up high.  It was pretty funny.

Here's Ann and Frank in their Valentine's Day best.  The cutest couple at the dance!

Here they are in action! 

The dance went on until 7:00pm but by 6:30pm we were ready to go.  We said our goodbyes and left to go get something to eat.  We were both in the mood for pasta, so I said I’d take her to a place Eric and I loved in Little Italy called Spaghetteria.

As we were driving, just a few blocks from the dance, we saw an Italian Restaurant and decided to stop there, but they said the wait was 20 minutes, so I said, “Let’s just go to Little Italy!”  And we did!  We found a spot right around the corner and were seated immediately.

This woman, with the giant strawberry earrings, was playing the spoons and Robin was intrigued.  She tried to teach Robin how to play!

We started with fried calamari and I had the same dish I had last time – Cappellini with vodka sauce.  Robin had penne with tomato, basil and mozzarella.  Both were amazing.  We each had a Cosmopolitan, but it was SO strong that I only had a few sips of mine and gave the rest to Robin.

We were totally stuffed, but we couldn’t leave Little Italy without going to the best gelato place in San Diego – Pappalecco.  So, we drove over there, got some to go, and came home.  We got into our pajamas and saw that the Grammy’s were on.  Since Stacie didn’t get into the Top 3 it wasn’t foremost on my mind and I completely forgot that it was on tonight! I was hoping I didn’t miss Katy Perry singing I KISSED A GIRL, because I had a feeling Stacie’s video would be on – and I was right!

It ends up being a VERY good thing that Stacie DIDN’T get into the Top 3, because the Top 3 were shown, along with many other videos – including Stacie’s – for only a few seconds at a time.  If Stacie had gotten into the Top 3, we would have had every person we ever knew watching and it would have been a MAJOR disappointment.  I called her immediately after and asked if she saw herself.  She said she did and she agreed that it was good she didn’t win, because it was SO disappointing how little screen time each video got.  VERY disappointing.

Anyway, Robin and I enjoyed our gelato VERY much as we watched the Grammy’s.  I got half Nutella and half Mocha.  Robin got half Stratiatella (Eric’s favorite) and half chocolate.  YUMMY YUM YUM!

Robin faded fast, but I got up to blog.  Oh, I forgot to mention that at some point while we were learning the dance, I pulled a muscle in my hip.  Could I BE more lame?  I told Robin and she said it’s very common, because in that dance you’re sitting back on your right hip a lot and it’s not something I’m used to doing.  So, now I’m limping around like a cripple.  I just took 2 Advils and I’m hoping it won’t limit my walking, because we’re planning to either walk around Mission Bay tomorrow, or go to the zoo, or go to Ocean Beach.  Any of those include LOTS of walking!

Robin and I are having a blast.  I haven’t done so much in one day in a LONG time.  She’s really so much fun to be with (as much fun as I remembered) and it’s just one adventure after another with her!  I just hope I don’t pull any more muscles!!!

Today Robin and I did a whole bunch of nothin’!  First of all, we were both exhausted from all the running around we did yesterday.  I don’t know about her, but that was a LOT of activity for me.  I’m really not used to it!

Second of all, Robin has been fighting a cold and I think today it won!  We both woke up when the alarm went off at 9:00am, but I was so exhausted and Robin wasn’t feeling well at all.  I just called Eric and told him we needed to go back to sleep and I would talk to him later.

I took one NYQUIL, because my nose was so stuffed, and that caused me to sleep a little longer than Robin.  She got up before me, had some frozen waffles for breakfast and was reading when I got up.  I made the same breakfast and we hung out and talked for a while, looked at stuff on the computer, and I spoke to Eric again.  Then, we went back to bed.  I watched TV (with my headphones on, so I did disturb Robin) and she read her book.

We both ended up falling asleep and took a long nap.  We woke up late in the afternoon and she made soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.  It was so comforting.

I spoke to Eric again.  He is starting at a new location tomorrow – all the way downtown – and he’s not very happy about it.  I feel so bad, because this company seems to be giving him a hard time with who he works with and where he’s located.  He’s trying so hard, but they just don’t appreciate him and they take advantage of him.  I hope things get better for him soon, because I just want him to be happy and I know how important his work is to him.

My hip is better and I didn’t even have to take any Advils today, so I guess I’ll be alright to walk around the rest of the week.

Now, on to the weather.  It was HORRIBLE out today.  Today was definitely the WORST day I have seen in San Diego since I moved here 15 months ago!  It was not only POURING off and on all day, but it was SO windy that the wind chimes outside my bedroom window were chiming like crazy, and when you looked out the window the palm trees were really bending in the wind.  Crazy San Diego weather!  That’s the main reason why we didn’t venture out at all.  I would have at least wanted to go out to eat at some point!

My girlfriend, Rosemary, emailed and said she felt SO bad that Robin was here, because she said this weather is SO unusual for San Diego – not only because it rained so hard, got so cold and was so windy, but because it has been raining on and off for 4 days already!  We’ve been so lucky, because the only time it was raining while we were outside was when we ran from CHILI’S to the car on Saturday when we went to see the movie.  That’s it.  Otherwise, it was either gorgeous out, or just not raining.

After we ate we watched FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL on pay-per-view.  It was really a cute movie and we both enjoyed it.  Then we read and watched TV some more.

Tomorrow we have plans to meet three of my girlfriends from work for lunch.  I’m just hoping it’s not raining!  If it’s a nice day, I’d like to take her to La Jolla after lunch to window shop, meet Gili, and go to all the art galleries in the neighborhood.  That’s a lot of fun.  Then, we have yoga tomorrow night, which we’re both really looking forward to.

So, today was all about resting, relaxing, rejuvenating and just enjoying each other’s company!

What a difference a day makes!  Today we woke up to blue skies, with nary a cloud to be found!  It was absolutely gorgeous out and we were planning to take FULL advantage!  First of all, I called Eric.  He was doing okay in his new location.  He drove his car and parked in Chinatown and then rode his bicycle to the job site.  He said he was doing fine, which made me feel much better.  He was excited to know if we received his gift.  He told us that he had sent us an early Valentine’s Day gift, so that Robin and I could enjoy it all week.

At 10:00am, as I just got out of the shower, the bell rang and it was a delivery man with TWO bouquets of flowers.  One was a dozen long-stemmed red roses in a red glass vase for me, and the other was a gorgeous bouquet of pink and purple flowers in a purple frosted vase for Robin!  How sweet is that?  Robin couldn’t get over the fact that he did that, because he could have just sent me a bouquet on Saturday, Valentine’s Day, but he sent it early so that we could enjoy our bouquets together.  He wrote a cute note to each of us.  It really meant the world to me, that he was so considerate and thoughtful and Robin thinks he’s the best!

We left the house at 11:00am and drove to Del Mar to pick up Ailien, Nancy and Tifney at the office.  We went to a little sandwich place where you go up to a window and place your order, go sit at a table outside and then they call you when your meal is ready.  They have pizza, calzones and sandwiches, but we all got a sandwich.  Robin enjoyed meeting the girls, and they all enjoyed her, too.  We had a fun lunch and then we dropped them off back at work and drove to La Jolla.

We got a great spot on the street and went down and walked near the water (but not on the beach).  There were a lot of birds that I think were pelicans (but I’m not sure).  They were so cute and we really enjoyed watching them. 

This was just a lifeguard box, but I photographed it because it was so unusual!

There were a few people swimming with wet suits, a few sunbathers, and a lot of people down on the beach and rocks investigating.  What they were looking at so intently, we had no idea.  There were people walking their dogs, and people out enjoying the gorgeous weather – as we were!

After we walked along the water for about an hour we walked back to Prospect Street and went in and out of all the stores.  We visited Gili Anna and she told us that she will soon be moving to a new location.  She wouldn’t give us any details, but told me that she will be sending out an email, so I guess I’ll know soon enough!

We went in and out of a lot of art galleries and saw SO many beautiful paintings, sculptures, and photography.  It was really fabulous.  We stopped at STARBUCKS (of course!) and enjoyed every minute of the day inside and out.  Robin really loved La Jolla.  It is a gorgeous neighborhood with beautiful scenery and gorgeous views.

We finally got back in the car and decided to drive to Old Town for Mexican food before heading back home.  We went to FRED'S, a great place I've been to several times before.

We each had a quesadilla – mine was shrimp; Robin’s was chicken.  After our early dinner we walked around, going in and out of Old Town shops and the Chuck Jones Art Gallery, which we both really enjoyed.  Then, we came home.  Robin still isn’t feeling great, so she decided to stay home and read while I went to my yoga class.

Anyone who has been to our house knows that we love WARNER BROTHERS cartoons, and that Bugs Bunny's old friend Gossamer is one of our favorite characters!

It was wonderful and serene, as usual.  After class I stopped at a gourmet market down the block and brought us home gelato (we’re really going straight to hell!).  I got a portion of dark chocolate and a portion of mocha almond and we each had some of both while we watched Friday night’s MONK, which was fabulous – as usual!

Then, I watched AMERICAN IDOL while Robin read her book.  Tomorrow we are going to the zoo!  This is what Robin has been looking forward to all week, but we had to wait to be sure the weather was going to be great.  It’s actually supposed to rain again by the weekend, but at least we’ll get to do everything she wanted to do before that happens.  Tomorrow night we’re having dinner with Rosemary on La Jolla Village Drive.  Should be another exciting and fun-filled day.  We’re having the best time!

We woke up at 9:00am, and I immediately called Eric.  Then, we had breakfast and got ready to go to the zoo.  First, we went to Citibank, so I could get some cash.  Then, we stopped at Rite-Aid, so Robin could get more sinus medicine (she’s still not feeling great).  Then, we drove through Starbucks, and then we headed to the Zoo!

We got a great spot, right near the entrance.  It was a gorgeous day, sunny and mild.  We had tickets that entitled us to a double-decker bus ride, and the bucket tram, but Robin and I were too afraid of heights to go on the tram, so we just walked around and then in the afternoon we took the bus tour.

These two were so cute -- holding hands!!!!

We got to see almost every single exhibit.  The only thing I could think of that we missed were the polar bears.  We did see other bears, but not the polar bears.  We had great luck with the gorillas.  Not only were they all out, and up, but they were moving around a lot, eating, interacting, and then came right up to the glass and were actually looking at us with interest.  It was amazing!  Robin got some great pictures!

We also loved the giraffes and the elephants, who are right across from each other.  I love the elephants because, as big and bulky as they are, they are so graceful when they walk and they sometimes stand with one foot balanced behind the other, like they’re just relaxing.  It’s SO cute!

The giraffes are so sweet.  Their big black eyes look right into your soul, and they have those long eyelashes, along with their long, long necks, and long, long legs.  They’re just such majestic and elegant creatures.  I LOVE THEM!

We had a lucky experience with the pandas, too, because the mother and her baby (who is pretty big already) were eating and facing us and just sitting and munching away.  They were so adorable!  The koalas were pretty cute, too.

Toward the afternoon it started to get chilly, especially if we were in the shade, rather than the sun.  We left at around 4:30pm and drove to South Park and walked around all the cute stores for awhile before heading to La Jolla to meet Rosemary for dinner at BJ’s at 5:30pm.  Robin had soup and salad, and Rosemary and I had our usual – Spinach and Artichoke deep-dish pizza with a garden medley salad.

Robin and Rosemary really enjoyed each other and we had a lot to talk about.  It was really fun, but Robin and I were exhausted from being outside and walking around all day long. 
We headed home at around 8:00pm and got into bed to watch TV.  Both of us fell asleep.  Robin pretty much slept the whole night, but I got up to watch AMERICAN IDOL and then blog.  I’m used to taking a nap and then getting my second wind!

We were going to go whale watching tomorrow, but Rosemary said she thought it was too cold and we agreed, since we were freezing this afternoon and we were on dry land!  So, we’ll see how the weather is and decide what to do.  We’ve got lots of options!

My roses are looking SO beautiful.  They're all opening up and we are so enjoying them!

We had such a great day today.  This week is really working out great for both of us.  We’ve had so much fun together, and have had so many great adventures already, and it’s just Wednesday!!

I woke up at 9:00am, spoke to Eric, and then Robin and I both went back to bed.  I didn’t feel well this morning, so I was able to quickly fall back to sleep.  I don’t know what time Robin got up, but the next time I looked at the clock it was 11:40am!!!!  I couldn’t believe I slept so late!

Robin had already eaten breakfast, so I made mine and then we decided to go to the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla.  It was a gorgeous day, but colder than usual.  I feel so bad, because even though we have had beautiful sunny days, it is much colder than usual.  The temps this time of year are usually 65-70, and this week it has been 55-60.

We decided to pack a lunch and eat it after the aquarium.  Robin made delicious hummus and cucumber sandwiches on whole wheat bread and we packed grapes and other snacks, too.

We got to the car and I used the button on my key to open the doors (as I always do).  The doors wouldn’t open, so I used the key, thinking maybe the battery in my key was dying, but then the car wouldn’t start either.  It was dead as a doornail!  I rang my building manager’s bell and his wife said she’d get him and ask him to jump the car, but he told me he doesn’t have jumper cables.

I found that hard to believe, but I told Robin that I figure if he had them then maybe everyone would always be bothering him to jump their car for them, so he just says he doesn’t have them.  Anyway, he told me the name of a towing company, so I could call and have them come and jump the car.

I called information and she put me through to a towing company, but when I told the guy where I was located, it turned out that I was calling Ontario, California, which is about 500 miles north of here!

I was just about to try again when Bret came back with a guy who does maintenance work around the apartment complex and he said he could jump the car.  He went and got his truck, tested out the battery and said it was totally dead, and then he jumped it for me.  After one minute it started.  The whole thing took about 10 minutes!  He said to be sure to drive around for a while before turning the car off, so it would have a chance to charge the battery.

We still don’t know why it was dead.  Maybe I left an inside light on, but we didn’t remember and don’t think we did.  The doors seemed to be closed, so it was a mystery.

Anyway, I insisted on giving him $20.  He really didn’t want to take it and gave me quite an argument, but I told him that he really saved our afternoon, because by the time I got a towing company on the phone and they came, we could have waited for hours!  We were so lucky that the whole thing was over and we were on our way in just 10 minutes!

We headed to La Jolla.  First we went to a store, because Robin wanted to return something she bought the other day.  Then, we drove around looking for a Capezio store that we heard was in the neighborhood, but we couldn’t find it.  Then, we went to Birch Aquarium and figured we had been driving around for over a half hour, so the battery would be fine.

As we approached the ticket booth a woman handed us a 20% off coupon that she had and couldn’t use.  So, we got in cheaper (Robin treated anyway!).  We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying all the sea creatures.  It is really a wonderful aquarium and Robin enjoyed it so much.  She took a lot of great pictures, until my battery died.  Now the batteries on both our cameras were dead, but at least I was able to charge mine when we got home tonight!

After we finished at the aquarium we ate our sandwiches in the car and then headed over to my appointment, which was only a few miles away in La Jolla.  Robin sat outside in the waiting room and read a magazine while I had my session and then we came home.

I made a big salad and we had leftovers from the last few nights – quesadillas and pizza.  What a feast!  Then, we watched CSI and UGLY BETTY and Robin was out like a light!

Tomorrow night we are going to an Argentine Tango class, but we don’t know yet what we’ll do during the day.  We’ll probably keep it light and easy, since we’ll be dancing the night away!

We had a pretty laid-back day.  I woke up at 9:00am to call Eric, and then worked on the computer until Robin woke up at 10:00am.  Then, we just hung around, had breakfast and talked.

I wanted to do laundry and go to the post office, but Robin wasn’t feeling well, so she stayed home.  I washed her dirty clothes, too, and it was just two loads for both of us.  I threw in the wash, drove through Starbucks, and then went to the post office to mail off some packages.

When I got back I put everything in the dryer for my “steam de-wrinkling” and then left the towels and linens in there and brought everything else up to hang on the line.

Then, I went back out to go to RITE-AID.  I needed more DAYQUIL and NYQUIL and also bought ZYRTEC, since everybody is saying it’s the best allergy medicine, so I thought I’d try that, too!
When I got back I brought up the laundry and we both went inside to lie down.  Robin fell asleep and I read GLAMOUR for a while and then took a nap, too.

When we woke up at around 4:00pm we were starving.  We had a big salad and tuna on Wasa Crisps, which was really delicious.  Then, we just hung around and talked some more.  Robin and I never run out of conversation!  We could talk for hours about experiences we shared, and then talk for hours filling each other in on events in our lives that happened while we were out of touch.

We’ve been friends for 33 years, but were sometimes out of touch for a couple of years at a time.  It was just that we each had busy lives and sometimes time flies and you can’t believe you haven’t spoken for a year or two.  The great thing about Robin is that the second we talk or see each other, it’s like we were together yesterday.  We just fall right back into our friendship.  I’m sure everyone has a friend like that.  It’s so comfortable and easy.

Anyway, at 6:45pm we left to go to the movies.  We were going to go dancing tonight, but since Robin wasn’t feeling that great, and we have a BIG day planned tomorrow (Ocean Beach!), we decided to just go to the movies and get to bed early, so we can get an early start tomorrow.
We saw CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC, which was really adorable.  Gorgeous clothes, great cast, and a fun story.  I recommend it highly!

When we got home we relaxed and had tea.  Then, we got in our PJs and watched MONK.  Robin likes that show, too!

This has been such a fabulous week and I can’t believe tomorrow is Robin’s last day here.  She’s leaving very early on Sunday morning (7:30am), so we have to make tomorrow REALLY count!

We both were up unusually early this morning.  It wasn’t even 7:30am!  We decided to get an early start on our day, since we had a lot to do!  I called my valentine, to wish him a wonderful day, thank him again for the gorgeous flowers, and thank him for the beautiful card I got yesterday.  He’s really the sweetest husband in the world (at least I think so!).

Then, we got dressed and went to THE BIG KITCHEN for breakfast.  I had been wanting to take Robin all week to meet Judy, the beauty, on duty, and I’m SO glad we went today and she finally got to meet Judy in person!  Judy knows me by now, and always gives me a big hug when she sees me.  She's SO sweet!  I just love Judy, the beauty, on duty!

It was so much fun, as usual, and Robin loved it.  She had an omelette and I had the grilled cheese with tuna, which is my new favorite dish there.  We were totally stuffed when we left, and we headed the 12 miles to Ocean Beach.

When we got there we parked all the way down by the beach in a free parking lot and then proceeded to walk all the way down Newport Avenue going in and out of every boutique, antique shop, and antique mall.  We browsed, we tried on, we oogled, we drooled, we picked up, we put down, we bought, we resisted buying.

Four hours later we were finally totally exhausted and decided we were done.  We had done a LOT of damage.  I bought two vintage rhinestone pins, a cigar box purse with a great jeweled handle and to greeting cards (I am going to decoupage the box, because right now it’s just a plain cigar box, but the shape is really cute and it only cost $8)!

One of the pins is a three-petal flower of black metal completely covered with clear rhinestones.  The other is a crescent-shaped green rhinestone pin.  They’re both gorgeous and were both very reasonable.

We went to a Valentine’s Day Soiree at VIGNETTES, which is my favorite store in all of Ocean Beach – probably in all of San Diego!  Every display there is a feast for the eyes and the people who run the place are SO nice and helpful.  They had all kinds of chocolates, heart-shaped brownies, champagne and lots of gorgeous and festive Valentine’s Day decorations.

Robin bought some jewelry – a 10k gold ring with jade surrounded by pearls, a pair of sterling silver earrings, and a sterling and amber pendant.  As you can see, she likes the real stuff, while I’m only interested in the costume stuff.

I also bought a box of pierced earrings (about 100 pairs) for $11.40.  There are at least 30 pairs in there that I will definitely wear.  The rest are “maybes” or “definite nos”, and will be used for crafts.  I did REALLY good on that!

When we were done, we walked all the way down to the water, along the pier, and then got back in the car to go to Coronado Island.  We stopped at a cute Italian restaurant to eat, but they were fully booked (Valentine’s Day), so we sat at the bar.

I’ve sat at the bar at this great French Restaurant, La Rivage, in Manhattan and it’s really a fun experience.  You actually get better service sitting at the bar than you do at a table!

We each had an Appletini and lobster bisque and then Robin had heart-shaped lobster ravioli with sun-dried tomatoes and asparagus and I had four cheese risotto.  Both were exquisite!  Our meal was fantastic, the company was fun (we were talking with other people at the bar, and the bartender), and then we were stuffed and completely drained of energy.

I drove by the Hotel Del Coronado to show Robin, but we were both too tired to get out and go inside!  We drove home the 10 miles to the apartment and were inside by 7:00pm.  When we got inside Robin started packing and I looked through all my earrings.  Robin got involved and was helping me find the match to each pair.  It was really fun!

Then, we went online to print out her boarding pass, so she’d have one less thing to do tomorrow morning at the airport.

I can’t believe this week has flown by so quickly.  We had so many great adventures, and it was so much fun.  I’m sorry she’s leaving, but I guess all good things must come to an end.  At least I’ll be back in NY in about 8 weeks!

I just found out that my friend Artie will be in San Diego on business in two weeks, and we’ll be getting together on Monday, March 3rd.  It will be so good to see another old friend.  It’s just what I need to get me through these last 8 weeks before I come home!

Robin and I both didn’t sleep well last night, but we managed to get up and out at 5:45am.  I had managed to set my new cell phone alarm as a back-up to my regular alarm clock.  Both went off without a hitch!  Robin was already up, packing and having a fast breakfast, and I slept until about 5:40am, put on pants (keeping my pajama top on) and a jacket, and drove her to the airport.  I helped her get her stuff out of the car, we said our goodbyes, I got back in, drove home, and got back in bed.

I watched a little TV, thinking I wouldn’t be able to fall back to sleep so fast, but my eyes were closing, so I shut off the TV and slept.  The phone rang at 10:00am.  It was Eric, but I told him I had to keep sleeping.

The phone rang again at 1:50pm and it was my friend Diane calling from NY.  I can’t believe I slept ALL DAY!  I knew I was tired, and that we both hadn’t slept well, but I never expected to sleep another seven hours!

When I got off the phone with Diane I called Eric, but got his voicemail.  He had told me he was going to go out riding, so I figured he must still be out on his bicycle.

Then, I started up the computer and had a bowl of Special K.  I was starving and what I REALLY wanted was to have my leftover risotto and one of Robin’s heart-shaped lobster ravioli from last night, but I resisted!  At least I knew I’d have an easy and delicious dinner!

All I did ALL day was eat and watch TV!  I finally spoke to Eric.  He was out on his bicycle and had a great ride.  He’s off tomorrow for President’s Day, which makes me very happy.  A three-day weekend is always great, and then a four-day workweek makes it even better!

I watched CONFESSIONS OF A TEEN IDOL, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, THE GHOST WHISPERER, DR. PHIL, two episodes of HEROES and PSYCH.  I had a LOT of catching up to do, because Robin and I watched very little TV this past week and I had all my shows recorded!

I did end up eating my leftovers (and Robin's, too).  YUM!  I also finished off the rest of the gelato I brought home after yoga the other night.  I am quite sure I've gained at least a few pounds this past week, having so much fun with Robin, but I haven't had the guts to weigh myself!

Tomorrow I’m supposed to go bowling with Tifney and her son Josh in the afternoon.  I need to do a few loads of laundry, too, to get all the linens washed after my guest’s visit.  At least I don’t need to do a food shopping.  There’s still so much food left from our last shopping.  We bought so much food.  We really did eat home a lot, which was great, because it probably saved us a fortune.

I had such a great week with Robin.  She’s really good company, and is so funny and easy-going, too.  We have a lot of the same habits.  She loves to nap, and is perfectly happy to stay home and watch TV or read, if she’s tired or under the weather.

Even though she wasn’t feeling well all week, due to her sinuses, and I wasn’t feeling great, due to my allergies, we rallied and still had a great time and so many wonderful adventures.  It is a week I will never forget and I feel so lucky that she chose to come here to spend her vacation with me!

It was pouring out today.  I mean real, pouring rain!  This has been the WEIRDEST two weeks in San Diego.  Everybody says so.  Even native San Diegans!  It’s just that it so rarely rains THIS much for THIS many days – even though there’s sunshine on and off.  It’s also cooler than usual.

I had planned to go bowling with Tif and her son and his friends, but it was so rainy and yucky out and I didn’t feel great, and I just decided I didn’t want to go out at all.

I felt bad canceling on Tifney, because she said she needed “adult company” but I just hate running around in the rain, especially if I don’t need to, and I really just wanted to stay home, in my pajamas, and hang around the apartment.

I cleaned up a little, folded laundry, and gazed lovingly at my gorgeous roses which – almost a week later – are still looking SO beautiful!  I have so enjoyed having them here all week and Robin loved the two bouquets, too.  We would look at them and enjoy them and talk about how sweet and considerate Eric is.  My darling!

I was happy Eric was off today, even though all he did was go to BJs to stock up on some items he needed.  Even so, it’s nice not to have to get up so early and go to work, isn’t it?

So, here's something that was bothering me all day at home: my toilet keeps running!  I noticed it about a week before Robin came, and I decided I wasn't going to do anything about it, because I could just see them having to replace the toilet, or some big, dirty job like that, and I'm leaving in 8 weeks, so I figured I'd just let it go.

Unfortunately, it got worse and worse and now it's SO loud it sounds like a plane taking off!  It also starts and stops for no apparent reason.  It doesn't just run after you flush.  It runs ALL the time -- all day and all night.  So, this afternoon I finally called the building manager and left a message.  I didn't expect to hear back today, since it's a holiday, but we'll see what happens tomorrow.

Meanwhile, in addition to the annoying toilet running, my allergies have been so bad today.  My nose has been running all day and I’m planning to take two NYQUIL and go to sleep early.  I just want my nose to stop running!

My only plans for tomorrow are yoga tomorrow night, but I DO need to do laundry, so I hope at least it stops raining, so I can get that accomplished!

Here are some pictures I took in Ocean Beach that I didn't have a chance to put on the blog until today.  Enjoy!

This is for all the Betty Boop lovers out there.  Two new figurines I saw in an Antique Mall.  Betty Boop is EVERYWHERE!

Here's the $8 cigar purse I found, which I will decoupage eventually!

This is one half of a gate that closes off the pier when it's not open to the public.  I thought this shot came out great with the sun behind the cut-out letters!

This is a shot taken of the beach from the pier:

I had a pretty good day.  I woke up with the alarm at 9:00am, called Eric, then got up and worked on the computer for a while.  I had called the building manager about the toilet, which has been running non-stop for 2 weeks now and at times sounded like a plane taking off.  It would either sound like running water, or REALLY loud – out of nowhere, like the toilet had just been flushed, even though it hadn’t.

Anyway, the building manager’s wife called at 10:40am and told me that he would be coming between 11-2.  I jumped in the shower, got dressed and waited for him to arrive.

He came around noon.  It took literally 3 seconds (no exaggeration) to fix it.  You know when you take the lid off the back of the tank and look inside and there’s that black ball that floats?  Well, all he did was twist it a little and it stopped running immediately.  He said that vibration causes it to loosen and then it starts to run.  Now I know, if a toilet is ever running, that the first thing to do is tighten up that black rubber float!

Anyway, he was gone in 5 minutes, but not before something EXTREMELY embarrassing happened!  His hands got wet and a little dirty from handling the floater and the stem attached, so I went to get him a rag, but I heard him say, “Oh here’s… and then heard him say, “Oops!”  When I went back and gave him the rag he wiped his hands and then left soon after.

After he left I went back to look at the toilet again to make sure everything was put back right and I noticed something black on the floor between the cabinet in the bathroom and the toilet.  I reached down and realized it was my underwear!  I had left pajamas and underwear on the counter and when I picked up the pajamas, I obviously knocked the underwear down onto the floor, but didn’t notice.  Bret must have seen and picked it up, but then he dropped it again when he saw what it was.  Can you spell “embarrassed?”  I am not so embarrassed that he saw my underwear as I am by the fact that he must have been wondering what they were doing on the floor next to the toilet when I knew he was coming by!!!!!  Yikes!

Anyway, as soon as he left I went down to the laundry room and put in three loads of laundry with all the towels and linens from Robin’s stay, plus some clothes, too (including my black underwear!).  I was going to walk to STARBUCKS, but since I had three loads in and knew I wouldn’t be back for over an hour, I decided to drive, because I didn’t want anyone else to touch my clothes if they wanted to start a wash and all the machines were taken (there are only 4 and one was being used).

So, I drove to STARBUCKS, dropped off some letters in the mail box, and then came back to the apartment, put most everything in the dryer, and hung a few things on the line.  I was going to go food shopping, but I decided to do it tomorrow, after I have lunch with Tifney.  So, I just did stuff around the apartment, cleaning, working on the computer, etc.

I took a nap in the afternoon and then got up to go to yoga.  I left about 10 minutes earlier than usual, and instead of heading right to I-5 to go south to South Park to my yoga class, I decided to drive to STARBUCKS and get myself a decaf latte to drink on the way to class, since I was early.

All of a sudden I was hit from behind.  It was a real shocker!  The car went flying and I hit someone in front of me.  I was really in shock.  Although I wasn’t hurt, I had really been hit pretty hard from behind and my neck had snapped, so I was worried right away that I had whiplash, or at least had pulled some muscles.

All three cars stopped and pulled over and a cop came right away, but he told us he was not in his jurisdiction and that a local cop wouldn’t come if no one was hurt.  He advised us to just exchange information, which we did.

The girl who hit me was a young kid – just 20 years old, who recently moved to San Diego from northern California.  I could see she was very scared.  I assured her that everything would be okay and that we just needed to exchange information, but I was so dazed myself that I forgot to take their phone numbers and addresses.  I just had the addresses of the insured (both were insured by their parents) and I got the email address of the girl who hit me.

Otherwise, I got the name of the drivers, their driver’s license number, insurance company, policy number, vin number and make and model of the cars.  I went to STARBUCKS (at least I was going to have my coffee!) and then went to KEIL’S to get some sushi, because I didn’t have anything much in the house to eat and thought at least I’d have a nice dinner!

When I got home I immediately called my insurance company and gave them all the information.  Someone is supposed to call me tomorrow, and then they have to send someone to look at the damage, which isn’t much.  The light on the bottom next to the license plate is broken on the right side (I’ve had that light break TWICE on my PTs in the past – it must be very delicate!).  It's not the running lights or brake lights.  I think it's called the reverse lights, but I'm not sure.

Also, the license plate is pretty bashed up and the bumper is all scratched, but there’s no damage to the car itself, that I could see in the dark.  I’ll have to look again in the morning.

Meanwhile, the biggest pain in all this is not the accident, or the pulled muscles, or my aching back, but the fact that there’s so much red tape and paperwork with all this and I HATE IT.  I haven’t been in an accident in about 7 years, but Eric was involved in a very minor fender bender (much more minor than this) about 3 years ago and it was SUCH a pain.

So, I’m not looking forward to all that is to come.  I kept asking myself WHY as I drove home.  Why did this have to happen to me, when I have SO much going on right now and I’m so stressed and overwhelmed already?  Is this a wake-up call to realize that things can ALWAYS be worse?  Is this to make me appreciate what I have and not stress or worry so much?  I don’t know.

I ate my sushi, drank my STARBUCKS and watched THE BIGGEST LOSER.  I took two Advil and have been laying on a microwave heating pad all night – on my neck and back.  I can feel it in my neck and my lower back.  I just hope it’s nothing major and I  don’t need to go to a doctor, because I don’t even have a doctor here in San Diego!

Anyway, I don’t feel extreme pain – just like I strained the muscles a little.  I’m hoping that a good night’s sleep and more Advil will do the trick.  We’ll see tomorrow!

I woke up at 9:00am and called Eric.  I told him about the accident and was happy that he didn't get upset.  He was just glad that I was okay.  He felt really bad, and asked me several times if I was really okay.  I said I felt stiff, but not in pain.  After we hung up I got up and started my day.

I was relieved this morning to find that I was just a little stiff in the neck and lower back, but not in any real pain.  I only took 2 Advil at 7:30pm last night, so I knew I wasn’t masking any pain.  I heated up the pillow in the microwave and put it on my neck and lower back for a while, and then got up.  I feel it a little more in my lower back than anywhere else, but my neck feels stiff, too.  I spoke to the woman at the insurance company and stressed that I wasn't in a lot of pain, but did feel stiffness in my neck and back.  I also told her that I have been advised by several friends that it sometimes takes days or weeks for symptoms to appear, so I wanted it noted that I did get hit hard, my neck did snap back, and that I was feeling it today, but didn't need to go to a doctor.

I thought I was going to have lunch with Tifney, but around 10:00am I got a text from her saying she wasn’t feeling well and wanted to change our date to Friday, which was fine with me.  I kind of thought it best to stay close to home today.  I was still feeling a little shaky from the accident last night.

I jumped in the shower anyway, got dressed and went down to the car to photograph the damage.  I could see in the light of day that she really hit my car off center – on the right side of the bumper.  The reverse light on the right side is not only broken, but pushed in, and there are scratches on the bumper on the right side and the license plate is also pushed in and dented. 

The left side looks much better.  I tried the trunk and it opens fine, so there’s no damage to the body of the car, just the license plate, the bumper, and the right reverse light.

I drove to STARBUCKS and noted the exact place where the accident happened.  I had just driven past Ute street (prounced Yute), which is just one block from the STARBUCKS and Balboa Avenue.  The light was green, so I’m curious as to why the girl who hit me said she had her foot on the brake and it slid off and onto the gas, causing her to speed up and hit me.  Usually, when you are hit from behind, it is because you are stopped (at a light or stop sign) and someone is either going too fast to stop, or slides on ice or water.

Another scenario is that everybody stops, and she’s just going too fast or driving too close to stop in time.  That just wasn’t the case here.  The three cars involved were all moving in the same direction.  The light was green, and I don't think it was turning.  She was just going SO fast that she hit me, and caused me to move forward and hit the car in front of me.

When I got out of my car and went to her car she was just getting out and I could see a bunch of CDs on the floor by the brake and gas.  My theory is that she was putting a CD in and wasn't paying attention to how fast she was going or that I was in front of her and just hit me.  After all, she's only 20!

I think if I HAD been stopped I would have been hurt, because the force of the hit was pretty hard and I was already moving in the same direction.  I think I was lucky.

I forgot to mention that when I went to STARBUCKS last night, immediately after the accident, they didn’t have the syrup for my drink, so I got something else and they gave me a coupon for a free drink.  So, today when I drove there, I had a free drink, which made me very happy!

I came back and relaxed around the apartment until 3:00pm.  Then, I went back out and did a light food shopping.  I got a case of SNAPPLE, salad stuff, some ahi tuna, and a few other items and then came back up to the apartment.

I decided that it was a good day to go through papers, which I did while watching TV.  I went through one drawer in my two-drawer oak file cabinet, making a pile to shred (I’m going to bring it to the office when I meet Tifney for lunch), a pile to just recycle, and kept the important stuff.

I also went through some of the drawers behind my desk, which hold all sorts of junk.  I have to start cleaning things up, sorting things out, and disposing of unnecessary stuff, in order to start the packing process, which I hope to start very soon.

I watched last week’s episode of TOP CHEF, and then tonight’s episode, too.  I also watched AMERICAN IDOL.  I was pretty happy with the three who made it to the TOP TWELVE.  I was ecstatic that Tatiana was eliminated.  She was completely annoying.  If you are watching the show, you know exactly what I mean.  If you weren’t, trust me.  She would have driven you CRAZY!

I also watched my favorite new drama – LIE TO ME – which is SO interesting.  Check it out next Wednesday!

My Valentine’s Day roses are finally starting to droop, but the purple and pink bouquet Eric sent for Robin is going strong!  I am thrilled that the roses lasted more than a week, and I enjoyed them so much.  I know they were quality roses, because I've had roses that drooped after 3 or 4 days!  I keep telling Eric how much I am enjoying them, and will show him pictures when I get back to NY, so he can see how beautiful they were.

Tomorrow morning at 10:30am a man from the insurance company is coming to look at the damage.  They said that if the girl’s insurance company agrees that it was her fault (I find it hard to believe they won’t), they will waive my $500 deductible, which means I can get it fixed free.  That will be nice, because otherwise the only thing I’ll fix is the light, which I already know costs almost $200, because I’ve had that light broken TWICE already (on my other PT Cruiser).

I seem to get hit from behind a lot!  This is actually the fourth time -- and it was NEVER my fault!  It's funny, because after the third time in New York I told Eric I have "rear end paranoia" and tend to look in my rear view a lot, because I'm always afraid someone is going to hit me.  He said that's dangerous and I should just be looking ahead and not behind, but if I WAS looking behind last night, I might have anticipated what happened.  Okay, maybe not, but you have to admit, I DO have reason to be paranoid!

So, the insurance guy came this morning at 10:15am.  He was actually 15 minutes early!  I met him in the parking lot.  What a cutie!  He looked about 25, with curly, shoulder-length blonde hair that he kept tucking behind his ears.

He was very sweet and helpful and showed me all the damage.  There was absolutely no damage to the front, but I told him that I barely tapped the girl I hit.  He could see how hard the girl hit me from behind, because her license plate was imprinted in my bumper!  I told him we were all moving at the time and he said that was VERY unusual.  You’re telling ME!

He said that he was going to recommend that I have the entire bumper replaced, because it was cracked and dented in several places.  After he wrote up his report and photographed the car, he left and I came back up to the apartment.  I did some stuff around the apartment, watched some TV and then went to the post office to mail some packages.

When I was done I felt like staying outside, but I knew if I went shopping I’d just spend money, or frustrate myself by NOT spending money, and I didn’t feel like taking a walk or bicycle ride, so I just came back home.  It was really gorgeous out today.  The weather has finally gotten back to normal for this time of year.  It was 65 degrees today.  I had the front door open and the bedroom window open and there was the sweetest breeze coming through.

I just relaxed and didn’t do much.  I am still feeling twinges in my neck and back, but everyone’s been informed and I haven’t signed off on anything, so don’t anybody worry about me.  There’s absolutely no reason to go to the doctor.  They’re not going to take x-rays or send me for an MRI when I’m not even in pain.  I just still feel pretty stiff.  I thank everyone for their concern, and appreciate the emails and calls I’ve received!

I spoke to Eric a few times.  He has been riding his bicycle a lot because apparently the weather in NY has been great!  I’m so happy to hear that!

I just hung around the apartment until it was time to go to my Thursday appointment.  I stopped at STARBUCKS, had my appointment and came home again.  In all, a pretty uneventful day.  I’m kind of getting used to this easy-going lifestyle.  Don’t know how I’ll handle “big city” life when I get back to New York!  I’m getting to be quite the laid-back San Diegan – at least for the next eight weeks!

When I woke up this morning, it was because the phone was ringing.  It was Mike, a friend of Kaja’s, whom I had spoken to on the phone a few weeks ago.  The last time I spoke to Kaja she told me about a friend of hers who lives in San Diego and said I had to meet him.  Why she only told me about him now, after I’ve been here over a year, I have no idea, but – hey – she IS 95!!!

Anyway, I had called Mike to introduce myself and he was very sick with the flu.  He promised to call back when he was feeling better and we would get together for lunch – and today was the day!

I was so happy that Tifney had canceled for today and made it next week, so I was available.  We made plans for him to pick me up at noon.  I decided to get “all dolled up.”  I thought he would be coming with his partner, Frank, but it turned out to be just him.  I wore a floral vintage-looking dress with a cream crocheted cardigan over it, a cream vintage purse, and my new purple satin Chinese Laundry shoes, which I bought for myself a few weeks ago and which were a kind of a present from Eric for Valentine’s Day.

When I got in the car, I told him that I had gotten dressed up because “I don’t get out much!” and I was happy to have an excuse.  He laughed and said I looked great.  He did, too.  He's very handsome, probably in his mid-50s, and has the tan good looks of a San Diegan, even though he's originally from Florida and lived in Chicago for many years!  He's only been here for about 10 years.

The day was magnificent – about 67 degrees, sunny, and breezy.  He took me to Balboa Park, one of my favorite locations in San Diego, and we parked very close to where I was just 2 weeks ago when I spent the afternoon there walking around by myself taking pictures.

We went to THE PRADO AT BALBOA PARK, “set in the rich landscape and finely manicured gardens located at the historic House of Hospitality in the center of San Diego’s famous Balboa Park.”  It was so beautiful.  Mike told me that it had been completely renovated recently.  It looked very authentic – a mix of Spanish style and Mission style, but also had great modern touches, which made it fun.

THE PRADO is a COHN restaurant – a family that has many of the best restaurants in San Diego.  I’ve been to CORVETTE (one of Eric’s favorites – we went there several times), and KEMO SABE, which is right next door to CORVETTE (I took Jessica and April to Kemo Sabe when they visited in January 2008), but there are at least 10 more restaurants all over town!

We sat at a lovely table against a wall, but right in the middle of the room.  There were many booths around us and there was an old lady sitting across from me wearing a fabulous wide-brimmed pink hat and on the lapel of her black jacket was a HUGE red and clear rhinestone brooch.  As she left I had to comment on it, but she acted like she thought I was going to steal it and hightailed it out of there!  Not very friendly and not the response I usually get when I compliment someone.  Mike and I laughed about that, and he was frustrated, because he never even got a look at the pin!

We started with Cosmopolitans, which is one of my favorite mixed drinks.  I had one with Robin last week in Little Italy and it was SO strong I could hardly drink it (she drank most of mine and all of hers!).  This one was absolutely perfect and I finished it (and felt it, too!).  I don’t drink much and about all I can handle is one.  The conversation was easy and fun and there was never a lull – how could there be with me there?  I even asked him if I was babbling, because I could feel the drink and I was having such a wonderful time.  He said I wasn’t at all and he was thoroughly enjoying himself, but I think maybe he was just being nice!

Anyway, we started with panko crusted jumbo lump crabcakes with diced jicama-lime slaw, avocado-serrano chili puree, and chipotle aioli.  Wow!  They were so good.  I told him that I don’t eat meat or chicken, but DO eat fish and that crabcakes are one of my favorite things!

After that we each had Prado’s pressed salad.  I didn’t even know what that was, but I decided their salads sounded fabulous and when Mike recommended that one, I decided to get it, and he did, too.  It had organic baby arugula, shaved asiago cheese, strawberries, candied walnuts and figs dressed in sherry shallot vinaigrette and then it’s all pressed into a mold and turned upside down on the plate.  I never knew you could “press” a salad, but it’s a great idea, because all the tastes kind of combined and I really enjoyed it.  I also like when the leaves of a salad are a little wilted, rather than super crisp, and I guess the pressing does that, too.

Mike said the desserts were fabulous and insisted that we indulge, so we each got a different one and split them up, so we could each have half.  Mike got Tres Leches – vanilla and chocolate “three milk” cakes served with roasted caramel bananas and dulce de leche ice cream.  I got the Belgian Chocolate “Othello” – layers of hazelnut-infused milk chocolate and semi-sweet dark chocolate mousse, brandied cherry center, vanilla cream and raspberry coulis.  OMG!  It was so fantastic.  Mike and I both liked mine better and he said next time he’s getting the Othello!

I told him that I’m a chocoholic (and a Starbucks-aholic) and that when Eric and I puruse a dessert menu, he knows that if it includes chocolate – I’m in!  I have to admit the Tres Leches was absolutely delicious and there was something crunchy in the dulce de leche ice cream that melted in your mouth.  I don’t know what it was, but boy, it was good!

We also had coffee (mine was decaf), which was absolutely delicious.  I very often don’t like the coffee in restaurants, because my taste buds are so trained for STARBUCKS, but this coffee was really good.

Mike decided we should walk off our desserts (although we didn’t have to feel too guilty about our salads!) by taking in the art gallery in the TIMKEN MUSEUM OF ART.

Mike recommended it highly.  It is a free museum, so anyone can go anytime.  They have classes there, where you can learn about each painting, and they also have earphones, so you can walk around and listen as someone describes each painting.

If you click on the link above, you can read all about it, and see every painting I viewed today, but here’s what it says on the website about the museum:

“Located in San Diego's beautiful Balboa Park, the Timken Museum of Art houses the world-class Putnam Foundation Collection of European old masters American art, and Russian icons.

Artworks in the collection range from 13th-century altarpieces through 18th-century portraits to 19th-century still lifes. Represented are the works of Dutch, Flemish, French, and Italian painters, including Rembrandt, Rubens, Petrus Christus, Fragonard, Jacques-Louis David, and Veronese, as well as American artists such as John Singleton Copley and Eastman Johnson.”

My favorite was by the French artist, Francois Boucher.  “Lovers In A Park” done in 1758.  It was HUGE – 91 inches tall x 76 inches wide – not including the ornate frame.  YOU do the math!  I told Mike that I LOVE that kind of romantic, frilly, feminine artwork and would love to see that on my bedroom wall.  We both laughed, but I wasn't kidding (yes, I was.  No, I really wasn't).

Another favorite was “The Magnolia Blossom,” painted in 1888 by an American Artist – Martin Johnson Heade.  You could practically touch the velvet the beautiful blossom was laying on.  That painting was very small – only 15 x 24.

There were also a lot of Russian Icons, which were so interesting and beautiful.  It was also a big thrill to see a Rembrandt (St. Bartholomew, painted in 1657), because I don’t go to art galleries very often, and have never traveled, so to see something like that, in my own backyard was pretty thrilling.  You have to remember that in NY you can see some fabulous works of art every day, but you’d probably have to travel to at least Manhattan, unless there was some special showing in your neck of the woods.  This is on display all year and it’s only about 5 miles from my apartment!  THAT’S what I love about San Diego.

I talked to Mike quite a bit about leaving San Diego.  It was especially poignant on a day like this, when it was so gorgeous outside, and we were having such a lovely time, but I told him that I will always carry these memories with me.  I will forever know what it feels like to be warm in the middle of winter, and know how it feels to be surrounded by palm trees, bays, and live 5 minutes from the ocean.

I will also have many great adventures with Eric, and friends and family, when I return to NY.  New York was very good to me for the first 50 years of my life and I still think it’s the greatest city in the world.  I just wish it never got cold!

After the museum we went over to the Botanical Building.  “The view of the Botanical Building with the Lily Pond in the foreground is one of the most photographed scenes in Balboa Park and a "must-see" destination in San Diego. Built for the 1915-16 Exposition, along with the adjacent Lily Pond, the historic building is one of the largest lath structures in the world. The Botanical Building plantings include more than 2,100 permanent plants, featuring fascinating collections of cycads, ferns, orchids, other tropical plants, and palms. The Botanical Building also presents some of the Park's vibrant seasonal flower displays.”

It was so lush and beautiful, partly shaded by the lath overhead, yet with the sun shining through up above and spilling onto some of the plants and flowers.  I thought of our friends, Geri and Larry, not only because today is Geri’s birthday (Happy Birthday, Geri!!!!), but also because they had loads of gorgeous orchids (which they love and grow at home), and also staghorn ferns that Larry loves, and which he also grows very successfully in their home.  I knew they’d really enjoy this garden!  If I hadn't already spoken to Geri, to wish her a happy birthday, I probably would have called her to tell her all about the orchids and staghorn ferns, but I know they'll be reading this!

After the gardens, we just walked around a little and saw some turtles climbing out of the Lily Pond.  They were SO cute!  Then, we walked back to the car and he dropped me back off at the apartment.  It was 4:00pm.  The afternoon had just flown by.  I had so much fun on my “date.”  I immediately called Eric to tell him all about it, and then I called Kaja.  I knew she’d be happy to hear her two San Diego friends had finally met.  I told her all about our wonderful afternoon, but she was disappointed that Mike hadn’t taken me to see his house.  She says she’s only seen pictures, but it’s absolutely fabulous.  I have to hope for an invitation before I go back to NY!  After I hung up with Kaja, I took a nap.

When I woke up I spoke to Jimmy for a while and then worked on the computer (paying bills – SO much fun).  Then, I made myself some MORNINGSTAR FARMS vegetarian buffalo wings (they’re very yummy!) and a salad and watched some TV.

GHOST WHISPERER was a repeat, but MONK and PSYCH were new – in fact they were both the season finales, so that will be it for a few months.  Boo hoo!  The good thing about MONK is that they have marathons all the time, so I can always record the ones I really like.  I look forward to watching them all with Eric when I get back to NY, because he hasn’t watched any of them.  He said he’d rather wait until I’m there with him, to watch them together.  That’s my sweet hubby!

I have to get to bed early tonight, because my alarm is set for 7:00am tomorrow!  I’m going with Rosemary to San Juan Capistrano to see a psychic.  We made the appointments a couple of weeks ago and we’re both SO excited.  It should be a gorgeous day for the 60-mile drive.   Rosemary will actually be driving.  I’ll go to STARBUCKS, get us both coffee, drive to her house (which is north of here) and get in her car.  Then, we just have to drive further north.  We have our appointments at 10:30am and 11:45am, so we’ll be out of there by 1:00pm and then we’ll have lunch before heading back to San Diego.  It should be an exciting day.  I’ll let you know how it goes!

I had set the alarm for 7:00am, which is very early for me these days, but to add insult to injury, I didn’t sleep well at ALL last night.  First, I couldn’t fall asleep.  Then, I finally fell asleep and woke up, because my nose was running!  It’s SO annoying.  I’ve been on so much medication lately.  When I get back to NY I’m definitely going back to the allergy doctor to try to figure this thing out.

Anyway, I got up, had a fast breakfast, showered, dressed, stopped at STARBUCKS for two Espresso Truffles (they’re HEAVENLY – Rosemary’s favorite, but mine was decaf) and got on the road to Rosemary’s house.  She’s just 13 miles from me and I was there in no time.  I parked the car, called Eric and spoke to him for a few minutes, and then rang Rosemary’s bell.

She was busy eating her breakfast, so I looked at the dining room set which we had purchased together.  It had to be assembled and she and her sister had put it all together.  It looked SO beautiful.  It’s a very dark wood, but it’s distressed, and has the look of an old farm table.  The chairs, the pedestal under the table, and the buffet all have an X design on them, which is really nice.  I thought it fit perfectly in the room and has a hidden leaf that would expand it out into the foyer, which is perfect if she has more guests.

The dining room is not big, and the front door opens right into a wide open floor plan.  The dining room is on the right.  Straight ahead is a doorway to the garage and bathroom.  To the sharp left is the kitchen, but you have to walk through a doorway, so it’s not open like the rest of the rooms.  To the left of the hallway is the staircase leading to the second floor.  And to the left of that is the living room, which has a fireplace and very high ceilings that reach to the second floor.

I just hung around while she finished her breakfast and then brushed her teeth and then we got into her car.  I brought Betty, but Rosemary doesn’t have much faith in GPS systems (she had been misled several times), so she had printed out directions and it was pretty easy.  We just took I-5 North (what else?) and when we got off we didn’t have to go far.

The psychic actually has a beautiful office in a small plaza with many other businesses.  It’s like some other San Diego businesses I have seen.  Every office opens to a balcony (like my apartment), so you are outside until you actually enter the office.  The rest rooms are used by all and are accessed with a key.

When we got there, they hadn’t arrived yet (we were early), so we just stood on the balcony with our coffees, overlooking the parking lot, and saw them arrive.  She is a beautiful young blonde and her assistant was tall dark and handsome.  I later learned they are a couple, and a striking and beautiful couple they do make!

The door opens to a beautiful, calm and zen-like reception area, and there are two offices off of that.  One is her office; the other is the consultation room.  She sits in a comfy overstuffed wing chair and the client (or clients) sit on a cushy couch with beautiful pillows.

After hitting the rest rooms, Rosemary got cozy in the reception area with her coffee and book and I went in first.  Right away she asked me if I had questions.  I told her that I like to connect with people on the other side, and that I just wanted to hear whatever she had to say.  Well, it turned out to be much more like a therapy session, with her delving into so many different issues, and bringing up things I had never even thought about.

I’m not going to go into too much detail here, because it’s much too personal, but she was amazing.  There were things she said that were so completely and absolutely “hitting the nail on the head.”   I’ve been to many, many psychics, and this was not the most fabulous reading I’ve ever had (meaning that some psychics came out with names and facts that just blew my mind), but it was definitely the most enlightening and in-depth reading I’ve ever had.  She made me think about things in my life, relationships, my own attitudes and personality traits, in a way I’ve never thought of them before.  It’s like she knew me better than I knew myself!

The good news is that she records the session, because I’m having a hard time remembering a lot of it already!  I was in with her for almost an hour and a half.  When I got out, Rosemary and I changed places.  I immediately went outside to call Eric and tell him about it.  She had said some very important things about us, and knew so much about what we were going through.  I wanted to be sure to tell him before I forgot, and we had a really great talk.

Then, I came back inside and sat peacefully reading WICKED, which I have not touched since the day I flew to New York (November 22nd)!  It was great to get further into the book and now I’m hooked!

After Rosemary’s reading we said our goodbyes (she hugged us both, but I wasn’t surprised, because it felt like we were old friends).  The young man had recommended a great place to eat, which was just down the road, called CEDAR CREEK INN.

We sat outside in the garden patio and had a beautiful lunch, both talking about our experience with the psychic and how much she had helped us both.  We went back and forth remembering things she had said, talking about how it had affected us, and thinking about the meaning of certain things she had said.

The food was as good as he said it would be!  First we ordered an appetizer sampler, with crab-scallop cakes with jalapeno tartar sauce, deep-fried artichoke hearts with a dill mayonnaise, deep-friend sesame calamari with cocktail and jalapeno tartar sauces, and smoked turkey zuni rolls (which Rosemary ate) with raspberry chipotle sauce.  We were getting so stuffed from just the sampler that we had the waiter take it away and box it to take home, because we both ordered pasta!

Rosemary had the jalapeno-jack pasta, which was penne pasta with corn, peas, red and yellow peppers and sliced, grilled chicken in a spicy jalapeno-jack cheese sauce.

I had the seafood spinach linguini in a cream sauce, with shrimp and scallops.  They were both rich, decadent meals, and we thoroughly enjoyed them!  We finished by sharing a toll house pie, but we were so stuffed we couldn’t even finish it!  We both also took home more than half of our pasta, but I was happy, because I knew I'd have a great dinner tomorrow night!

Then, we got back in the car for the 65 mile drive back down I-5 to Rosemary’s house.  As soon as we got inside we started talking about decorating her dining room.  We spent the next few hours looking at paint online, picking out colors, then looking at candle sconces, mirrors, and prints she had found that she liked.  I really think her dining room will be fabulous when it’s done.  She likes the Italian Tuscan style, and we will be working around her fabulous new dining room set and an area rug she already has.  I can’t wait to go pick out the actual paints with her.  First we’ll buy samples, so she can try it on the wall and see how she likes it.  Then, I will help her with a treatment on two of the walls, which creates that old-world Tuscan charm!  I just hope we can get it all together before I leave!

I was feeling really exhausted when I left a little before 7:00pm.  I actually found the reading very exhausting, because although she was doing all the talking and I was mostly listening, I was concentrating so hard on everything she was saying, trying to remember (without taking notes, because she doesn’t recommend that), and trying to make sense of it all.

I knew when I got back to the apartment I wouldn’t be long for this world.  I started to blog, but didn’t finish before I got into bed.  I ended up falling asleep around 9:45pm.  The next thing I knew it was 3:00am and I was wide awake – and my nose was running!  My sleep cycle has gotten so completely messed up, but I thought that having not slept well the night before, and having had such a long day, that I would have no problem sleeping through the night.  Didn’t happen!  So, I decided to take two NYQUILS, so I could go back to sleep AND stop the stuffed, runny nose.  And that’s why I’m finishing this blog on Sunday morning!

So, you know I had a crazy night’s sleep last night – to bed at 10pm, up at 3am, back to sleep until 9am.  I didn’t do much today, except talk on the phone.  Now, here’s the funny thing – I hate to talk on the phone!  As much as I love to talk – and I do – I don’t enjoy telephone talking.  The only person I ever usually talk to for more than 5 minutes is my mother.  We can stay on the phone for a half hour!  Eric and I usually talk for about 5 minutes.  We just fill each other in on what we’re up to, check in, and say goodbye until the next call.  We talk to each other 3-4 times a day, so there’s usually no need for a long, drawn out conversation.

So, why don’t I like the phone?  It’s mostly because it’s uncomfortable.  Years ago, you were tethered with the cord.  Now, you can walk around freely, but I don’t have a hands-free, so I still have to hold it, and my ear starts to hurt and sometimes my hand even gets numb!  I also feel like a lot of times people call when I just don’t feel like talking.  At least with emails you can read it when you want and respond when you want, and you don’t have to worry about catching someone at the wrong time, or leaving a voicemail and then them having to call you back, and playing phone tag.

Anyway, my friend Gloria called.  We’ve been communicating a lot on FACEBOOK, which is so great because on a day-to-day basis I know what she’s up to and how she’s doing.  She heard about my fender bender, so she called to see how I was.  We talked for over an hour.

I just just hung up with her when my phone rang again.  This time it was my friend, Susan in NY.  Susan was also calling to see how I was doing.  We haven’t spoken in weeks, so we ended up talking for over an hour, too!

Then, my sister, Audrey, returned my call.  She had called yesterday, when I couldn’t talk, and I told her I’d call her today, but she wasn’t in so I left a message and she called me back (see what I mean about phones?).   Anyway, I was totally talked out, but she and I still talked for a little while.

Then, my mother called.  I only spent a few minutes on the phone with her and explained that I had been on the phone ALL morning and couldn’t talk anymore.  It was also after noon and I hadn't eaten anything yet, so I was getting very crabby.  She didn’t really have anything important to talk about and was just checking in, so she didn’t mind at all.

Then, I just relaxed, reading WICKED and watching a little TV until it was time to go pick up Robin’s shoes at the Elks Lodge.  She had accidentally left her dance shoes under the table and they found them and were holding them, but they’re only there on Sundays, so I went to Starbucks, drove to El Cajon, picked them up, and drove home.

I’m still such a New Yorker that I forgot the Academy Awards would be on much earlier here, so I missed the first hour.  I was home by 5:30pm, when they started, but I didn’t start watching until 6:30pm.  I hate that I missed the opening number, because they usually do something very clever.  I’ll have to see it on YOU TUBE!

So, I did watch the rest, but wasn’t very impressed.  One thing I really liked was that they had five previous award winners hand out the prize to the new winner in the case of best supporting actor, actress, and best actor and actress.

Slumdog Millionaire, which I haven’t yet seen, seemed to sweep the awards, and from what I have heard it did deserve it.  I have had years in which I didn’t see one nominated film, but I did see THE READER, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, and TROPIC THUNDER, all of which were nominated in different categories.

I was happy Kate Winslet won, although I haven’t seen any of the other nominees.  I also thought it was weird that she was nominated as best SUPPORTING actress for THE READER for the Golden Globes, and BEST ACTRESS for the Oscars.  It is obvious SHE was the only actress in the film and wasn’t supporting ANYONE.  I know they do that sometimes, in order to make sure someone can get nominated and/or win, but I find it annoying that they can bend the rules like that.

I was NOT impressed by Baz Luhrman’s choreographed number with Beyonce, Hugh and the kids from HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL and MAMA MIA.  I always love a musical number, but this was just okay.

On a whole, not the most enjoyable Academy Awards I’ve ever watched.  The part I actually liked best was the scene with James Franco and Seth Rogan where they recreated their PINEAPPLE EXPRESS characters.  Eric and I really loved that movie.  At the end, when they invited Janusz Kaminsky to sit on the couch with them, I thought it was hysterical.  He happens to be Holly Hunter’s ex-husband, who won an academy award for his work on SCHINDLER’S LIST and also worked on SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (he’s a big Spielberg collaborator).

After the Academy Awards I was going to watch some of the follow-up Oscar shows, including Barbara Walters’ show, which appears after, instead of before, as in New York, but I decided to record them instead and watch them tomorrow.  I did look online to see the gowns a lot of the women were wearing, but saw more disappointments than fabulousness.  I thought the Golden Globes had better dresses, although I have to admit I didn’t see everyone because I missed the first hour!

So, I know you’re dying to know about my new roommate.  Well, here’s the story.  Today, when I was taking my shower, I saw a spider in the corner of the shower up high on the wall.  The tile only goes up about 6 feet and then there’s just wall up to the ceiling.  The spider was sitting in the corner on the top of the tile, just about a foot over my head.

I instantly freaked, because I do NOT like spiders, but I did have the guts to continue showering.  I kept my eye on him, but at one point he disappeared and I was sure he was in my hair.  Turns out, he had just retreated behind the tile.

When I got out of the shower I closed the lid on the toilet, stood on it, and looked at it from a better angle.  There is an extensive web from the window to the corner and covering the corner.  My first instinct was to get the vacuum and just get rid of the whole thing, but I thought of Eric.  He hates to kill spiders, and always manages to capture them and “release them into the wild” outside our door. 

I know I’m not going to do that, but I thought, “If he stays there and doesn’t bother me, maybe we can live together in peace.”  I told Eric and he said not to feel bad if I have to vacuum him.  I figure I will only kill him if he moves from his corner.  As long as he stays there, he’s okay.

I don’t have any plans for tomorrow during the day, but tomorrow night I am going out to dinner with Michelle and Rosemary, so we can discuss our psychic adventure.  Michelle went two weeks ago with two other girls, so the three of us are going to share our experience.  We’re having sushi, so I’m very happy about that and looking forward to a great Monday night out!

I had a very pleasant Monday.  I took care of business in the morning, speaking with both my insurance company and the insurance company of the girl who hit me from behind.  All seems to be going well in that regard.

I also spoke to our accountant in New York who is working on our tax return.  Then, I started a load of laundry and walked to and from Starbucks, picking up a venti mocha-light frappucino for the walk back.

When I left it was 67 degrees, breezy and overcast—perfect for a long walk.  After about 5 blocks, the sun came out and it seemed like it was 90 degrees.  I was sweating SO much I couldn’t believe it.  When I got back, I put a blanket in the dryer and brought everything else up to hang on the line.

I had already spoken to Eric twice today when he called to let me know when he got home he finally gotten the Valentine’s present I sent him.   I had gotten him a radio for the shower, that’s shaped like a bug.  I also enclosed the AAA batteries he’d need, so he’d be all set.  It had taken so long to get there that I was worried it was lost and I was so upset.  I think he loved the gift and told me he was going to set it up and use it right away, but I think he was MORE happy that it finally arrived, because I had been upset about it.

After we hung up, I worked on the computer until it was time to pick up the blanket and then I jumped in the shower (again) to get dressed to go to the office to meet the girls for dinner.
I had collected a lot of papers to be shredded and had a 2-page fax for my accountant, which I brought up to the office with me.

When I got to the reception area, one of the two receptionists (both of whom I am friendly with) asked me how I was feeling after my fender bender.  At first I was puzzled as to how she knew, but then I remembered that we’re friends on FACEBOOK.  Ahhh, the beauty of FACEBOOK.  You can just write a few words about what’s happening in your life and all your friends can keep in touch.  It’s wonderful!

After seeing all the HR girls and doing my faxing and shredding, Rosemary and I left.  We were also meeting Michelle, who works in HR, but she had gone home earlier to pick up her 6-year-old daughter, Cora, who was going out to eat with us.

We went to a fabulous sushi restaurant that Rosemary and I have been to before.  I had miso soup, shrimp shumai and Rosemary and I shared spicy tun and spicy shrimp rolls.  Rosemary also ordered edamame, so I had some of that, too.  Michelle and Cora shared a dinner special that included miso soup, a California roll and chicken teriyaki, but all Cora ate was a few pieces of vegetable and a few pieces of chicken.  Kids, you can really waste a lot of money on them if you order their own dish, because they hardly eat anything!

We talked a lot about our experience with the psychic, since Michelle had gone there the week before me and Rosemary.  We all had a wonderful experience and learned a lot.

After dinner, Michelle and Cora got in their car and Rosemary drove me back to the office to pick up my car.

I stopped at STARBUCKS again for a tall espresso truffle (my new addiction), and headed home.  I have great TV on Monday nights – HEROES, MEDIUM, TRUE BEAUTY, and TRUST ME.  Of course I won’t get to watch it all tonight, but HEROES AND MEDIUM are two of my favorite dramas!

Tomorrow I’m back at the office to pick up Stacie, Elsa, Kristin and Mary Kate for lunch.  It’s really fun to see the girls from the office and I enjoy their company.  It’s also great because it keeps me busy and gives me something to do.  The closer and closer I get to going home, the more and more I can’t wait.  I’m really longing to be with Eric again.  I miss him terribly, and want to start our new life together in New York.  I just have to be patient, because I know how fast time flies – whether you’re having fun or not!

HAPPY FAT TUESDAY and MARDI GRAS to all my friends -- especially to our friends, the Rodriguez Family, in New Orleans!!!!!

I woke up at 7:30am this morning.  I relaxed and watched TV until 9:00am and then called Eric. It’s so funny, because I’ve gotten into this total routine of calling Eric every single day at 9:00am, while he’s at lunch in NY. 

Today, out of the blue, he said, “You don’t have to wake up just to call me, you know.”  I told him I was actually up at 7:30am today, and most days I do wake up before 9:00am.  I also told him that 9:00am is plenty late to sleep and I SHOULD be up by then, and it’s a perfect way to start my day--talking to him.  It makes me happy for the rest of the morning.

I was having lunch with some of my HR girls in Del Mar, so I didn’t have much time to hang around.  I did talk to the “moving guy” at Mayflower and he sent me the contracts via email.  I discussed some logistics with him.  I can’t believe I’ll actually be moving in 7 weeks!

I drove to Del Mar and picked up Kristen, Elsa and Stacie.  We went to RED ROBIN, which is my new favorite place!  Today I had a salmon burger, which was really good.  I’m ashamed to admit it comes with yummy fries with a ranch dressing to dip into, and I had WAY too many of those!

We talked about Kristen’s wedding dress, since she just ordered it.  Later she emailed me a picture and I saw it online.  It’s SO beautiful, elegant and simple.  I love it.

We talked about AMERICAN IDOL and THE BIGGEST LOSER.  We had a lot of laughs and then it was time to bring them back to work.  They all said they didn’t want to go back, so I told them I could kidnap them and take them wherever they wanted to go.  Unfortunately, they felt the need to go back to work, so I dropped them off and came back to Clairemont.

I had to go to the post office to mail Robin’s dance shoes back to her.  She had left them at the West Coast Swing dance and I picked them up on Sunday.  After that, I stopped at STARBUCKS and went to the 99 cent store up the block from my apartment to get a loose leaf binder to decoupage for Stacie.  She got so many positive emails of love and support when she was involved in the MY GRAMMY MOMENT contest, and she wanted to save them all.  I decided that making her a binder with pictures of her, Katy Perry, leopard, and hearts would be a fun project to hold all her memorabilia.  It was $1.99, not $.99, but it is really nice – archival quality!

Then, I came back to the apartment, worked on the computer, and relaxed until it was time for my yoga class.  It was so great tonight.  I was trying to really stretch my back and neck, since I still feel some stiffness from last week’s fender bender.  I SO enjoy this class and will really miss it when I go back to NY.

I am happy to report that my “roommate” (the spider) is still keeping his end of the deal—he stays on his web in his corner of the shower and doesn’t move from there.  I told Eric that as long as he keeps his end of the deal he gets to live, but if I find him elsewhere, he’s a goner.  That really made Eric laugh.  He said, “You know if I was there I’d put him outside.”  I know he would, because that’s what he always does.  He hates to kill spiders, because he says they eat the bad bugs, but they’re usually too scary to deal with.  Because this one stays far enough away I’m able to put up with him.

I was SO disappointed tonight when I got back from yoga, because I was ready for THE BIGGEST LOSER, but when I went to watch my recording, it was THE OFFICE.  I already knew AMERICAN IDOL wasn’t going to be on (it’s on tomorrow and Thursday instead), but it SAID The Biggest Loser would be on, but it wasn’t recording THE BIGGEST LOSER, it was recording THE OFFICE.  I hate that!

Instead I just watched some AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL and then WHAT WOULD YOU DO – a Prime Time exclusive.  I love that show!

Tomorrow I have to go to COSTCO and get gas (my gas light came on while I was driving to yoga, so I REALLY need it).  I’ll also go inside and pick up a few things.  I have no other plans for the day, but I really want to get started on Stacie’s project, so that’s probably what I’ll do.

I also have to start cleaning (AGAIN), because my friend Artie is coming to visit on Monday (for business) and he’s going to see the apartment.  Oy!  I thought I was finished with all that, but here I go again!

I didn’t accomplish much today.  My girlfriend in NY accidentally called me at 7:30am her time, so it was only 4:30am my time.  I did manage to fall back to sleep and when the alarm went off at 9:00am I wondered if I had dreamt it.  I left her a voicemail, saying, “Did you call me at 4:30am telling me you had a plumbing problem?”  She called back and said she could have gotten over on me by saying, “What the hell are you talking about?  You were dreaming!"

Anyway, I just relaxed around the apartment, working on the computer and finalizing the contract with Mayflower Movers, which I have to fax tomorrow.  I’m kind of freaking out about it, because it means I have to set a date.  I don’t actually have to set the EXACT date tomorrow, I just have to fax the signed contract and then let them know.

I also found out about shipping the car, which is a little complicated.  It’s $1,050 to ship from here to NY, but the Mayflower guy recommended them, because having Mayflower do it is over $1,500.  The thing is, on their website they say, “Let us know the earliest we can pick up the car and then we’ll pick it up that day, or within a few days.”  So, I have to find out if I can leave the keys with someone else and just have them pick it up from the parking lot, or if I have to be there, in which case that means I may be without a car for the last few days, which would stink.

Also, once they ship my stuff I won’t have a bed, or much of anything else, so I guess I’ll be flying out as soon as they pick-up everything and then wait for it in NY.  Some of it has to go into storage, so it will give me time to rent room in a storage facility nearby.  SO much to think about and it just makes me want to take a nap!

So, I finally got out of the house and drove to COSTCO to get gas at around 3:00pm.  I decided to pick up a few other items, so after filling up ($28.19 @ $2.09 per gallon – I was REALLY on “E”), I went inside for my “free lunch.”  Hey, I’m definitely not the only person who does it, and besides – I’m unemployed and everyone in this country is pinching pennies, tightening their belts, and trying to save however they can.  If walking around COSTCO with my cart three times in order to have enough lox on toasted bagels with cream cheese, salad with low-fat ranch dressing, Ramen noodles, low-sodium vegetable soup, “drinkable” yogurt, and grilled Atlantic salmon makes me cheap – so be it!  It was delicious and I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!!

I also bought a 12-pack of spicy tuna sushi (which is the same price as a 6-pack in KEIL’S!), and an 18-serving EASY MAC Macaroni & Cheese for only $6.50.  I told Eric that I feel guilty, because I know it’s not dietetic and it’s not the healthiest thing in the world, but I figure at about 35 cents a serving, and with me trying to save money, it won’t kill me.

I used to have this discussion with Eric all the time – it’s impossible to be rich, healthy, and thin.  If you concentrate on really being healthy, it costs a fortune.  If you concentrate on really saving money (so you can be rich), you eat cheaply and get fat and unhealthy (like stuffing your face at TACO BELL for $4 – which, by the way, I haven’t done for about 10 years!).  If you want to be thin, you have to also spend a lot of money, because fresh produce, fish and meat is definitely more expensive that spaghetti, mac & cheese, pizza, or Mexican food, or starve yourself, which means you’re also not very healthy.  See what I mean?

That's why you sometimes see very poor people and they're so fat, and you say to yourself, "Why don't they eat less?  They'll lose weight and save money."  The fact is, they're eating what they can afford, which is unhealthy, fattening, and CHEAP!

So, generally, I’m usually more concerned about being thin and healthy than rich, but right now, I’m concentrating on NOT BEING POOR!  I don’t want to spend more than I’m bringing in on unemployment, and I DO eat out once or twice a week (although I was treated on Monday night and Tuesday afternoon!), so I’d rather spend my money on restaurant fare than groceries.

I only have about seven weeks left here, and I’m trying my best to get everything done and keep to a budget until I leave.  My daily STARBUCKS runs (you know I went today after COSTCO!) costs me about $4 a day, but I figure I don’t drink or smoke, and this is my only vice!

When I got back from COSTCO I went through more papers and got another bunch of shredding together (which I will bring to the office tomorrow, because I’m taking Tifney out to lunch for her birthday).

I started watching DR. PHIL and fell asleep.  When I woke up it was dark outside.  I made myself a salad and had six pieces of my spicy tuna for dinner.  I didn’t use any wasabi, because the sushi itself was SO spicy.  I don’t know what they have in there, but it’s definitely got a kick to it – and I like it!

Then, I got everything set up to do a decoupage project.  That means putting a drop cloth on the floor in the dining area, and putting two layers of drop cloths down on my little folding card table.  I also fold up three of the four chairs, so there’s no chance I’ll get glue on them.

Then, I lay out all my materials.  I am working on a looseleaf binder for Stacie who, as you know, got into the TOP 10 in the MY GRAMMY MOMENT contest.  I wanted to do something for her to commemorate this wonderful achievement.  Then, she told me that she got SO many wonderful, supportive and encouraging emails when people found out about the contest.  They wrote to tell her they were voting for her, to say how fabulous she looked, and what a wonderful job she did.  I told her she should print them all out and put them in a binder.

She thought that was a great idea, and that’s when I got the idea to decoupage the binder.  I’ve never done that before, but I’ve done a LOT of projects recently that I never did before – like the shoe box-style memory box I did for Kristen, or the collage I made for Elsa and Stephen.   It was a little difficult working with the binder, which is just black plastic on top of thick cardboard, but so far – so good!

I stopped at around 11:15pm and decided I’d better blog and watch AMERICAN IDOL and then get to sleep!  I already watched THE BIGGEST LOSER, but it was the second half of a 2-hour episode.  Last night it must have been on in some areas, but it wasn’t on in San Diego and I was SO mad.  The good news is I’ll be able to watch it online, because that’s one thing that is NEVER repeated – reality shows.  Once they’re on, they’re gone, unless they get picked up in syndication on another channel.

Tomorrow will be a full day, because I’m meeting Tif for lunch at 11:30am, then I’ll come back with her and visit in the office for a while and shred my papers and send my fax.  Then, I’ll come back to the apartment until it’s time to leave for my 5:15pm appointment.

I’m really looking forward to lunch tomorrow, because I haven’t seen Tifney in a few weeks and she’s so much fun!

I woke up at a little before 9:00am and just relaxed in bed until the alarm went off and it was time to call Eric.  As I lay there, I thought about how cozy it was – how much I love my pillow, my blankets, and my bed.  I love being in bed.  I am not the type to hang out on the couch, or at a table, or on the floor.  I love to be in bed!  My father always used to say the only thing you should do in bed is sleep and make love, but I have to admit I do everything in bed -- and always have!

I love to read in bed – even my mail or magazines.  I eat in bed ALL the time, because that’s the only place where there’s a TV in the apartment and I love to watch TV while I eat.  Eric and I both have lovely vintage breakfast trays, so it’s comfy and convenient.

Another thing that makes me love my bed is the fact that I have Conrad right next to me.  He’s always there, keeping me company.  He is SUCH a good friend and I am so in love with him.  He’s the perfect companion and pet.

I also love to take naps, as I’ve mentioned so many times before.  I recently read that people who take naps regularly are 30% less likely to have a heart attack.  That’s enough to convince me!

I don’t know about everyone else, but when I take a nap in the afternoon, or turn off the lights and TV at night and get cozy, I am SO happy and so content.  I have told many people that “sleeping is an art – and I’ve got it down to a science!”  I just love to sleep!  Maybe that’s why I have so much energy – because I’m always recharging my battery!

My sleep cycle has been completely thrown off for months, but I am hoping that when I move back to NY and have Eric next to me again I will get back into a regular routine and sleep more normal hours.

Anyway, after I spoke to Eric I got out of bed and started my day.  I was taking Tifney out to lunch for her birthday (which is tomorrow) and I decided to get dressed up.  I wore my new turquoise and white vintage dress (which I got at the Del Mar antique show) with a black cardigan, black purse and black shoes.  It was a magnificent day – sunny and breezy.

I picked Tifney up at the office at 11:30am and told her we could go wherever she liked.  She chose a place called SPICES, which has delicious Thai food.  It’s in a shopping center about a mile from the office.

We each had a lunch special.  Mine was vegetarian Pad Thai noodles with tofu.  Tifney had pork with a Thai curry sauce.  Both came with small bowl of soup, 2 small spring rolls, 2 small fried wontons, and a small salad.  There was SO much food.  The soup was my favorite part.  If I ever go back there I’m just going to see if I can get a big bowl of that soup!  I never had it before and don’t know what it was called, but it was VERY lemony – a yellow broth with vegetables in it.  It was SO good.

We enjoyed our lunch, talking nonstop, and filling each other in on what has been going on in our lives.  I told Tifney what her friendship has meant to me while I have been here in San Diego.  I told her I think she has a heart of gold and that she is a good friend and that I think we will be friends forever.  She said she thought so, too, and thought I was a good friend also.

When we were done I came back to the office with her.  I wanted to shred more papers, but I ended up just dropping it into a locked “SHRED” bin that the company has.  Everyone assured me that it is perfectly safe and they always drop their stuff in there.  The only place in the office that actually has a shredder instead of just a bin is HR, I guess because their stuff is so confidential. 

Anyway, I got to see a lot of friends around the office, including the man I first worked for when I started there last January.  Everyone was asking about Eric and when I'll be leaving.  They were sad to hear I'll be gone in 7 weeks, but are excited for me.  After a while I said my goodbyes and left to go back to Clairemont, stopping at STARBUCKS on the way home.

When I got back to the apartment I wanted to do some decoupage, but instead I just worked on the computer for a while.  I was going to fax the contract to Mayflower, but I spoke to the moving guy for a while this morning and he said I don’t have to lock in the date for a few weeks.  I wanted to try to find out exactly when kids will be on Spring Break.  I didn’t want to fly out on a flight that’s filled with kids going to NY for the week, or BACK to NY after being on vacation for a week. 

My friends told me that some schools have off the week before Easter and some have off the week after Easter.  They also assured me that it shouldn’t be a problem, as most people are headed to warmer climates (like Florida or Mexico) on Spring Break.  It turns out that I’ll probably be moved and fly back on April 10th.  That’s Good Friday, so if anyone knows of a reason why that’s not a good idea, please let me know.  I figure if they pick up all my stuff on that Friday, I can get the red eye again (which leaves at 9:00pm and arrives in NY at 5:30am).  That way, Eric can pick me up on Saturday morning and we’ll have the whole weekend together before he needs to go back to work.

I also investigated about the car, and it seems like I may have to be without a car for a few days (unless I rent one), because they won’t tell you exactly when they’re coming to pick it up.  You have to tell them the EARLIEST date, and it may be a few days after that.  You have to be there when they pick up the car, so if I’m leaving on Friday, I’d probably have to tell them they can pick it up as early as Tuesday, so that I can be sure it’s gone by Friday.  Obviously, the ideal situation would be for them to pick up the car,  ship my stuff and then I fly out all on the same day, but that’s probably NOT going to happen.

In the late afternoon I went to La Jolla.  I left a little early and wandered around DSW, but didn’t buy any shoes.  I also wandered around STAPLES, but didn’t buy anything there either.  I was just killing time before heading to my appointment.

I called Eric (for the third time) right before I went inside for my session.  Then, I came home right afterwards and had a salad and the other 6 pieces of sushi for dinner.  Just as yummy tonight!

I am VERY excited to watch AMERICAN IDOL tonight, because I can’t wait to see which three will make it into the TOP 12.  I was very happy with the results last week (2 of the 3 I wanted got in), so we’ll see what happens tonight.  Believe it or not, I can’t vote, because my phone number is a NY number, so if I try to vote after watching the show, the recording tells me my time to vote has ended.  Doesn’t that stink?  It goes by area code, instead of where you are.  SO stupid!

I have no plans for Friday or Saturday, so I know I will eventually finish my decoupaged binder.  I am hanging out with Rosemary on Sunday.  We are going to pick out paint for her dining room and then have dinner together.

Monday my friend Artie is flying in from NY for business.  I will get to see him for dinner on Monday night, which is so exciting.  I will be cleaning a lot over the weekend, so that everything looks nice for him on Monday night.  I’m not going to go as crazy as I did for Robin, because he’ll just be looking at everything quickly and not staying here.  Thank goodness.  I’m to lazy to do another complete overhaul of this place so soon!

That’s a take-off on Katy Perry’s hit song, “I KISSED A GIRL (and I liked it).  Today I finished decoupaging a loose-leaf binder for Stacie to hold all the memorabilia from her entry in the MY GRAMMY MOMENT contest, especially all the positive emails she received.  It came out SO great!  I will be varnishing tomorrow, so I’ll photograph and post pictures very soon!

It was really a challenging project, because I had never done any kind of book before, and this was a cheaper binder, so it was just a layer of thin plastic on top of thick cardboard, rather than a solid plastic.  That made it harder, because the thin plastic would move away from the cardboard and was almost like working on fabric.  Difficult, but not impossible!  I like working on new surfaces, because every time I’m able to accomplish something new I add more versatility and variety to my repertoire!

When I woke up this morning, my nose was completely clear.  It was such a strange feeling.  I have been spraying my Rhinocort Aqua more than usual, because I was hoping it would help me breath better and blow my nose less.  So, I was ecstatic when I awoke and didn’t have to blow my nose immediately.

The ecstacy only lasted about 10 minutes.  After being up for a few minutes, while I was talking on the phone to Eric, I started to sneeze.  I sneezed about 6 times in a row and the sneezes were so intense that my throat hurt afterwards!  I actually hurt myself sneezing!  Then, my nose started running.  It was such short-lived relief and then it was the same old story.

The good news today was that it subsided relatively quickly and I haven’t taken any DAYQUIL or NYQUIL in a few days.  I’ll never know what sets my allergies off, what makes them worse, and what more I can possibly do to make it stop, but everyone I talk to says their allergies are bad, too, so I know I’m not the only one, and you know what they – misery loves company!

I never left the apartment today.  I had planned to finish my project and then take a shower and go out, but after I finished my project (and spoke to Eric) I took a nap.  BIG SURPRISE!  When I woke up I thought maybe NOW I should take a shower and go out, but instead I made myself a fast dinner of cottage cheese on WASA crisps (which are thick rectangular crackers that taste like cardboard unless you have something good on them – like cottage cheese or hummus.

I also intended to go food shopping today, but I never did that either.  I definitely have to do that tomorrow, because the cupboards are bare (and so is the fridge!).

I will be doing the majority of cleaning and organizing tomorrow for Artie’s visit on Monday night, because I have plans to be with Rosemary for most of the afternoon on Sunday.

I don’t have much to do – just the usual dusting and vacuuming, cleaning Conrad’s cage (my sweet darling – I do adore him), and cleaning my desk, which always manages to get filled with papers.

I did go out for a few seconds (literally), because I wanted to pick up my mail.  I just put my fluffy bathrobe over my pajamas and walked 100 feet to the mail boxes.  It was dark and I didn’t see anyone (although I really wouldn’t have cared if I did).  I did have plenty of mail, so I was glad I walked out there!

My niece Jessica – the newlywed – called me tonight.  She’s so sweet.  She just wanted to see how I’m doing and to tell me that she’s anxious for me to come back.  I’ve always been so close to “my girls” as I call them.  They’re really my nieces through marriage, as they are all the daughters of Eric’s sisters, but I have known them since they were babies, and I adore them all (as well as my nephews!).

All my nieces and nephews, including the ones on "my side" of the family, have brought me such joy and I have always told all my nieces and nephews that they are the only children we will ever have, so that makes them extra special to us.  I know all aunts love their nieces and nephews, but those aunts that don’t have their own children are extra special aunts.

I know my Aunt Evelyn, my mother’s sister, was like a second mother to me and my sisters, even though we sometimes resented it.  She was always there—our whole lives, until she died in 1987.  She always lived within a few miles of us, and was there for every special occasion, and was a major part of our lives.  Because she never had children of her own, she was completely devoted to me and my two sisters.

I always feel a connection to my Aunt Evelyn, although I never got a chance to tell her, because I now know how much we meant to her, because that is what “my kids” mean to me.  They may not be my own, but I love them and care about them with an intensity that goes beyond the normal aunt and I know they all feel that.

Well, as I sit here blogging, Conrad is singing his, “please come back in the bedroom” song.  You may not believe it, but he is SO loud when I am hanging with him and then go out of the room.  I call out to him “I’ll be there in a minute,” and then he’ll quiet down for about 20 seconds.  If I don’t go in by then, he starts up again.  It’s hysterical.

I am so nervous about the flight home, because he’s so delicate and skittish and I have a feeling he’ll be traumatized by the flight for months when we get to NY.  I SO want Eric to see how he’s grown and all the wonderful things he does, but it took him almost 2 months after I went to NY to get back to his “old self” so I’ll be very surprised if the same thing doesn’t happen again.

That’s something I really do have to investigate, because I’m still not sure exactly what I need to do to bring Conrad to NY with me.  I know I have to get some kind of clearance from a vet, and then have a special travel cage that will fit under the seat in front of me.  Can you imagine the stress of not only packing, shipping, having my car picked up and leaving San Diego permanently, but I also have to worry about my darling Conrad?  Oy!  The stress!

I woke up at around 9:00am, spoke to Eric, and then went back to sleep.  I didn’t go to bed until after 2:30am last night.  I started watching TITANIC, which was on from 12-4am.  I watched up until the bad stuff started happening.  I knew I wasn’t staying up for the end, and wasn’t even interested in all the dying and drowning, but I DO love Leo and Kate!  What a pair!

I woke up for the second time at 11:00am.  That felt good!  I got up, put a coat of varnish on the binder, showered, got dressed and headed out to run some errands.  First, I put in a load of laundry and drove to STARBUCKS.  Then, I came back, put the stuff in the dryer for a few minutes and hung it all up on the line.

Next, I went out again and drove down the block to get the oil changed on the car.  Eric had the oil changed right before he left in September, so I was overdue.  I brought WICKED with me, so I’d have something to read while I waited, but they were done in about 15 minutes, so I didn’t get much reading done!

I put another coat of varnish on the binder and I went food shopping at KEIL’S.  I wanted to check out the vet, which is next door, but they close at 2:00pm on Saturdays and by the time I got all this done it was just 2:00pm.  They were still inside, but the door was locked.  I guess I’ll go back on Monday.

After putting everything away, I put the last coat on the binder (two coats each on the inside and outside) and started cleaning.  I cleaned Conrad’s cage, vacuumed the entire bedroom, dusted my vanity, the two night tables and all the other surfaces, and then proceeded to dust and vacuum all the other rooms.

I cleaned the kitchen and then I cleaned my desk (which is always a challenge) and worked on the computer for a while.

The only thing I’ve left for Monday is the bathroom, which I like to do the “day of.”  I watched some TV – some design shows and some shows I had recorded and hadn’t yet had a chance to watch.

So, the apartment looks great, and I’m excited for Artie to see it.  I counted today and I only have 41 days left here (if I do, indeed, move and fly back on April 10th which – as of now – is the plan).  I told Eric and that made him VERY happy.  We all know how fast time flies (whether you’re having fun or not) and 41 days will go by zippity-do-dah fast!

Tomorrow I’m getting picked up by Rosemary and her sister, Lisa at around 3:00pm.  We will go to the Clairemont Town Square’s ACE HARDWARE so she can pick out Benjamin Moore paint for her dining room.  Lisa also wants to pick out colors for her living room and I’m going to help her with that, too.  Then, we’ll go to Convoy Street and have a late lunch/early dinner at a great Chinese restaurant that Rosemary took me to previously.

I’m looking forward to seeing them both.  Rosemary is a good friend and is so much fun to be with.  I’ve spent some time with her sister, too, and she’s a great girl.  So, it should be a wonderful afternoon.  I don’t know if it will be as hot tomorrow as it was today (83 degrees!), but I’m going to enjoy it – no matter what!  I feel bad that it was so cool when Robin was here (55-65) and now it’s in the 80s, but I think she enjoyed herself even though the weather wasn’t “San Diego Perfect.”  In fact, I prefer 65 to 83, but I’d much rather have 83 than 38!!