Peppy's Dream Moving Adventure Blog

I’m living in San Diego (at least for the next 40 days) and I’m STILL obsessing about the New York weather!  Artie called me this morning to let me know they were expecting 8-12 inches of snow in NY tonight and that there was a chance his flight might be delayed or cancelled.  We hung up and 10 minutes later my phone rang.  It hadn’t even started snowing yet and they already cancelled his flight tomorrow morning!  His travel agent (who is here in San Diego) was trying to get him on a later flight tomorrow afternoon, which would arrive at around 8:00pm, instead of at around 3:00pm.  So, it looks like we’re not having dinner tomorrow night.

I spoke to Eric a few times, as usual, and he hadn’t mentioned the snow at all.  I called him soon after I spoke to Artie and he was out on his bicycle.  I guess he figured he’d better ride while the riding was good!

I didn’t do much except clean more, dust more, and organize more.  I also watched RANDY JACKSON PRESENTS: AMERICA’S BEST DANCE CREW (ABDC).  It’s a fun show to watch, because it’s all groups of young kids (5 or more in a group – sometimes as many as 7 or 8).  They come from all over the U.S. and compete each week with a different theme.

In one episode they had to dance to a Britney Spears song.  In another they had to work a magic trick into their routine.  In yet another they had to bring 2009 hip-hop life to an old “wack” song – like the Macarena, Achy Breaky Heart, or the MC Hammer song “Too Legit to Quit.”  They’re all amazing dancers and athletes and some of the things they do seem impossible for the human body to accomplish, yet they do!

Some of them also have great back stories – growing up on the streets of Brooklyn, or cloggers coming from a small town in Arkansas.  In any event, it’s another talent contest that comes down to America’s vote, which means the more popular but less talented groups sometimes go through.  It’s heartbreaking, but that’s show business!

Rosemary picked me up at around 3:30pm.  Her sister was supposed to come with us, but she bailed, so it was just the two of us.  Rosemary brought me a dozen white file boxes, which have the lids attached.  She couldn’t find a spot, so I carried 4 up to the apartment and went back down to get in her car.

I already have 3 or 4 of them from our last move and they’re so great, not only because they have lids attached, but also because they have the cut out handles, so they’re so easy to carry.  I now have about 10 copy paper boxes with lids from the office and now a dozen file boxes with attached lids from Rosemary, so I can really make a headstart on packing.  These boxes are great for heavy stuff, since they have the handles and are small enough for anyone to carry (especially the strong moving men!).

We drove through Starbucks (of course) and then went to ACE HARDWARE in the Clairemont Town Square.  It was so much fun picking out paints with Rosemary.  She didn’t actually buy anything today, but made a definite choice on the yellow and brick red that she wants to use in her dining room.  The colors are gorgeous together.

She also picked out a tan/green for her living room, which will coordinate perfectly with her area rug and furniture, a grayish blue for her master bedroom and a sage green for her guest bedroom.

Then we drove to Convoy Street to go back to the Chinese Restaurant we had gone to before.  We got the same thing as last time – fried wontons to start, and then she got the Kung Pao Chicken and I had the Kung Pao Shrimp.  We both had a lot to take home, so I’ll have lunch or dinner tomorrow!

Next, we hit TARGET, because Rosemary wanted to pick up some stuff.  I got a birthday card and some GARNIER FRUCTISE hair gel.  I usually use FREDERIC FEKKAI hair products, but they are SO expensive, and I find I’m actually using MORE now that my hair is short, rather than less!  I may use less shampoo and less conditioner, but in order to get my hair to look the way I want, I have to put more cream or gel in, so I’m glad I found this stuff for $2.99.  If I use it for a few days and like it, I may go back and buy some more.  Where do you find hair products for $2.99?  I pay about $20 for a tube of my Frederic Fekkai stuff!

When I got home Rosemary helped me carry the rest of the boxes into the apartment and then she left and I got undressed and sat down at the computer.  I didn’t take a nap today (very unusual), which means I thought I should be able to fall asleep at a decent hour.  Unfortunately, as I was watching TV I fell asleep (at about 9:00pm) and woke up at 10:30pm.  That’s definitely not going to help my already messed up sleep cycle situation!

I hope Artie is able to fly out tomorrow afternoon and arrive here tomorrow night, because then I’ll probably get to see him Tuesday and Wednesday.  This snowstorm makes me neurotic—even though I’m not there.  I worry so much about Eric.  If he takes the express bus it means walking about half a mile and then waiting for the bus.  Then, when he gets into Manhattan he still has to jump on the train.  He told me if he did that he’d be late for work, so he may try to drive in, which makes me really nervous.  If he drives, he’ll have to worry about how well the roads are plowed and all the other crazy drivers on the road who don’t want to take mass transit!

I’m just a worrier.  I can’t help it.  I actually went online and looked at webcams near Whitestone, so I could see the weather.  It was hard to tell what was going on, but it definitely looked snowy at 2:00am Eastern time.

That’s why I wanted to leave New York and it’s things like this that make me so sad that I’m going to have to deal with it all over again.  I thought our life in the snow was over forever.  I must REALLY love Eric, because I can’t believe I’m going back to NY and all the winter hardships that go with it.  I know it’s only bad for a few months of the year, but it seems to be getting worse and worse every year.  It snowed SO many times this year.  What will next year be like?

I told Eric that I was curious about people who get over their fear of snakes, or heights by getting hypno-therapy or cognitive therapy or some sort of therapy and I’m wondering if I can get help so that I don’t hate the cold.  Do you think that’s possible?

When I talk to people and they tell me that they love the cold, and it’s so invigorating and it feels so good, I think they’re insane, but I also envy them.  If only I could feel that way, I’d be able to stay in NY longer.

I’d still never want to grow old in NY, because even if you like the cold you’re still limited in what you can do when there’s ice and snow on the ground and you end up being stuck in your house, because you’re afraid to fall and break a hip.  But, if I didn’t HATE the cold and DREAD the cold and FEAR the cold the way I do now, then maybe I could stay for 10 years, instead of just 4 or 5, the way we’re planning now.

Well, I guess all I can do right now is enjoy the next 40 days and pray that when I arrive in NY (around April 11th) spring will be in the air and winter will be just a memory--at least for another 7 months!

Waiting for Artie today was kind of like Waiting For Godot.  Would he ever arrive?  He was supposed to leave NY around 8:00am this morning and get here around 3:00pm, but his flight was cancelled yesterday.  When I spoke to him this morning he was going to leave around 3:00pm and get here around 8:00pm.  At 9:00pm I still had not heard from him.

I assumed, because I had not heard from him all day, that he DID get on a plane and WAS headed here – which was great!  I just had to hope that he would get here at a decent time so that I could see him tonight.  I told him that, since I’m not working and go to bed late all the time anyway, he should call me when he got to his hotel (where the events will take place tomorrow and Wednesday night) and maybe we’d still get together tonight.

I was assuming he would be exhausted, not only because it had been a long day and it is a long flight, but also because – for him – it’s 3 hours ahead.  I was right.  At 9:30pm he called.  He was still at the airport – waiting for the rental car – and he said he would see me tomorrow.  I’m going to go up to the hotel where he’s staying (in Del Mar) and hang out with him!

Anyway, let me go back to the beginning of my day.  I woke up at 9:00am and immediately called Eric (as usual).  I was anxious to hear how his commute to work went.  He told me he didn’t go in.  He said he wasn’t feeling great and it had snowed so much that he decided to stay home.

I was very relieved, but I was also in shock.  That is SO unlike Eric.  He usually doesn’t let anything stop him.  I was actually proud of him – and happy, too!

I think it’s crazy to commute on a day like this, when the roads are dangerous and most people don’t want to leave the house.  They always say on the news to stay home unless it’s an emergency.  I believe the only people who should be out on the roads on a day like that are the police, firefighters and other emergency workers.

So, I was able to relax, knowing he was safe and sound at home.  We talked on the phone for a long time, and it was so sweet.  I had told him that I will be coming back on April 10th, which is now just 39 days away, and he’s so excited.  I’m so happy, too, but – as I’ve said before – I wish I could just snap my fingers and be there, instead of having to go through all the hassle of packing, moving, shipping, etc.

I watched a little TV and had breakfast and then I went in the shower and did a load of laundry.  I went to the UPS store and faxed MAYFLOWER my contract, but I already got an email from the guy I’m working with, telling me there are some problems, so I have to fix it and fax it again.  I also received a form in the mail that he sent so that I can give him my credit card information to pay for the move, so I need to fax that, too.

Next, I went to the vet next door to KEIL’S.  The woman behind the counter explained that I need to get the health certificate within 10 days of leaving, so that will have to wait until the beginning of April.

She also told me that some airlines don’t allow pets at all, so I came back and while my stuff was in the dryer, I investigated.  Turns out JETBLUE doesn’t allow birds, unless it’s a “support animal” which means you need it in order to keep your composure or something.  It’s SUCH a coincidence, because last night I was turning channels and an old episode of BOSTON LEGAL was on and it was about a girl who was suing her landlord, because he wouldn’t let her keep her pet duck, which was her “comfort animal.”  I guess if I REALLY needed to I could get my therapist to say I need my parakeet with me at all times, but I just called DELTA instead and they said, “No problem!”

Unfortunately, they DO charge $150 for him to fly.  My ticket was only $179!!!!!!  I made my reservation and will be flying the red eye that night.  So far, so good!  The only thing I have left to do is plan to have the PT Cruiser shipped, which I will start working on tomorrow!

Meanwhile, I called my insurance company to let them know that a week has gone by and I haven’t heard anything from the insurance company of the girl who hit me (AAA).  I told her that I’m leaving San Diego in a month and want to get the car fixed here before I leave.

I didn’t know what she would tell me, but believe me I never expected her to say what she did.  She said, “Mrs. Greenberg, I’m going to waive your deductible and send you out a check today for the full amount for the damage to be repaired and we will recoup the money from AAA.”

WOW!  I am SO happy!  Now, I need to go to a Chrysler shop and tell them I need a new bumper.  I figure if they can let me know when it’s in, I can just bring the car in and wait (while I read WICKED) for the bumper to be replaced.  It’s not like they’re going to keep the car overnight for something like that, right?  They told me I could rent a car and charge AAA and they would reimburse me in full, but if I don’t need to, why bother?  So, I’m going to investigate that, too.

So, after I got all that accomplished it was time for some luxury and relaxation.  I drove through Starbucks and then went to HAPPY NAILS to get a mani/pedi from Tina.  I just love that.  Instead of my usual nude color on my fingers and red on my toes, I got a beautiful purple on both.  Something different!

When I was done I called Eric again, to let him know how well everything was going, and then I headed home.  I couldn't work on the computer, because my nails were still "smudgeable, " so I just read for a while, and then fell asleep.

When I woke up I watched TV until Artie called, and then I had a fast dinner of vegetable soup.

I have a lot of balls in the air right now, don’t I?  In the next 39 days I need to get packing, shipping, repairing, manage the logistics of traveling with my bird, etc.  A LOT to think about.  I’m just taking one thing at a time and I’m getting it all done.  Hooray for me!

I woke up a little early this morning, because I was so excited to see Artie today!  I called Eric and was happy to hear he made it safely to work this morning – he even rode his bicycle from Chinatown to the job on Wall Street.  He’s unbelievable!  He said it was cold, but he only had a mile to go.  That’s a mile more than I would have gone!

Artie called around 10:30am and we made plans for me to meet him at the hotel in Del Mar at noon.  I had never been to the Grand Del Mar, so I didn’t know what to expect, but I was flabbergasted.  This place is one of the fanciest hotels I have ever seen.  Now, granted, I haven’t traveled much and haven’t had the luxury of staying at a lot of fine hotels, but I’ve seen most of the “greats” in NY – the Plaza (my favorite), the Waldorf-Astoria, the Pierre, The Ritz-Carlton, and have been to the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, too.

This hotel is as fabulous as any of them.  The main difference is that it’s brand new – just 1-1/2 years old!  It opened in October of 2007, just before we got to San Diego.

It lies on a huge piece of property.  When I made a left onto Grand Del Mar Way I came to a guard house and told the man I was there to see a guest.  He told me to make the first right into the driveway.  He didn’t mention that the first right was about TWO MILES away!  I couldn’t believe how far I had to drive!  Then, I saw a huge building, but it wasn’t the main hotel (I still don’t know what it was – maybe the club house, because people actually LIVE in this complex, too).

I passed the golf club, and then finally found the hotel, which was simply magnificent.  I parked the car and had to walk down a long path to the hotel.  When I got inside I called Artie, but I got his voicemail, so I just started wandering.  The combination of woods, fabrics, marble, granite, mosaics, tiles, and stenciling was blowing my mind.

The architecture is Spanish style, and you can see that a lot of thought was put into every piece of furniture, every painting on the wall, every pattern on the floor, every gold leaf on the ceiling.  It was just magnificent.

I had to touch these flowers (and lemons) to believe they were all real.  The arrangement (which was right at the entrance to the hotel) was HUGE and fabulous!!!!

Artie called me back and said he had been called into an impromptu meeting, so I just wandered around for about 15 more minutes until he was finished.  Then, he took me to see his room.  My mind was blown again.  His room had the fanciest bathroom I have ever seen – fit for a king.  The room itself was very luxurious and he had his own private patio, and a gate that led to the pool, which was right beyond his patio.  The hotel only has 3 floors, and his floor is a lower level, because the hotel is actually built on a hill.

We sat outside on his patio and talked for a while and then we went to a lovely restaurant in the hotel called AMAYA (“The Grand Del Mar’s casual, all-day restaurant offering Mediterranean-inspired cuisine”) and sat outside on the “expansive outdoor terrace overlooking the beautiful fairways of the Grand Golf Club.”

Artie started with the Catalan Shrimp with a chili lime marinade and garden fresh herbs served with grilled baguettes.  I got the hearts of romaine salad with Caesar dressing, croutons and shaved parmesan.

For our main dishes, Artie got the Braised Short Rib Pappardelle, with oven-dried tomato, fine herbs and shaved truffles.  I got the Smoked Salmon Flat Bread, with domestic caviar, baby arugula, feta cheese, shaved asparagus and lemon crème fraiche.  WOW!  Both our dishes were lovely and we really enjoyed them.  I couldn’t finish my salmon on the flat bread, so I took it home, but by the time I left (at 5:00pm) I was hungry again, so I actually ate it on the ride home!!!

Artie treated for lunch, saying that he could just charge it to his room.  Now, that’s living!  After lunch we walked around a little and looked at the shops.  I treated to tiny cups of gelato in their gourmet store.  Artie had mango and I had Mocha with tiny nuts and coffee beans ground up in it, which gave it a little crunch.  Yummy!

At around 3:00pm Artie had to meet with the dancers and others involved in the party tonight, but he said if I didn’t mind just hanging around I could stay.  I told him I just had to be at yoga at 7:00pm, so I would definitely stay longer.

We went to look at the ballroom, which was lovely and very fancy, and then checked to see that the costumes and “give-aways” were deliverd to the dressing room.  Then, we met all the dancers, who had driven down from L.A.  Artie is friends with two of them, but there were four others (6 all together -- 3 boys and 3 girls).  There was also an MC, which Artie described as “the star of the show” who flew out with him.

The lighting guys were coming with the equipment from L.A.  Artie has to coordinate everything – the people who hired him with the people who are running the meeting with the staff at the hotel, the dancers, the lighting guys, and anyone else that will be involved in the event.  It was a corporate event, but it wasn’t the employees of the corporation that were attending, but rather lots of people in the same field (insurance) who were meeting for conferences, so the people at the meeting didn’t necessarily know one another.

That makes a big difference in a party, and Artie spent quite a bit of time sitting and talking with the 6 dancers, because they don’t just entertain.  They also mingle with the guests, and Artie was explaining the “personality” of the party – telling them that there might not be that much dancing, since there were only about 30-40 women out of 120 attendees at the conference, and most of them have only known each other for a few days.

I was so impressed with Artie.  I’ve seen him in action before (we've been friends for 33 years), because I actually did a party with him many years ago (I danced in a few dances and then wore a “French Maid” costume and tickled lots of men and boys at a Bar Mitzvah with my feather duster!  I also worked with Artie as a choreographer many times.

Anyway, Artie is so articulate, and was able to let them know exactly what he expected from them – and what they could expect from the guests.  He also coordinated all the activity, and was totally in control the entire time.  He HAS been doing this for over 20 years, so it’s no surprise that he’s such a professional.

The dancers got to work unpacking all the give-aways and setting them up so they were easy to grab as they went out to the ballroom.  They also went through all the costumes, figuring out who would wear what.  They were starting the party in a big garden with fabulous arches and the costumes were like Spanish Flamenco dancers, which were so fabulous.  I really wish I could have stayed to see it all, but yoga called!

After watching the dancers rehearse (they were gorgeous), meeting the MC, and watching them set up all the tables (from rolling them out, putting the legs down, standing them up, to putting all the linens on them) and watching the lights get set, I finally left a little after 5:00pm.  Artie invited me to the party, but he said he’d be very busy running around doing his job, and I had my yoga class, so I just said I’d see him tomorrow.  After taking a few pictures of the hotel, my camera died and I couldn't get any pictures of me and Artie, but I'm charging my battery tonight, so I promise pictures tomorrow!

We made plans for me to pick him up at noon at the hotel, bring him back to the apartment, and then go out to lunch before I drop him back in the afternoon for the next party tomorrow night (which will be much lower-key with just a buffet and a four-piece band – no DJ, no MC, no dancers).

I called Eric as I walked up to the car and then drove back to Clairemont.  I stopped at Starbucks, because I was dying of thirst after eating the rest of my salmon flat bread on the way home.  Then, I went to PETCO (where the pets go!), because I had gotten measurements from DELTA for a carry-on case for Conrad and I wanted to see what they had.  I was pleasantly surprised to find they had the PERFECT accommodations!  I purchased a small cage that is perfect for a parakeet and even has 2 perches!  I was so happy, because obviously birds are more comfortable on a perch than they are on a flat surface, so at least he’ll be able to stand comfortably.

I also purchased a food dish.  I already have one extra food dish, but I’ll need one for food and one for water, so I needed to buy the second one.  The food dishes that come with his regular cage are designed specifically for that cage and can’t be used in this carrier.

Next, I got a stiff fabric cover for the cage that unzips on either end.  If you had a tiny dog he could go right into this (or a bunny, hamster or guinea pig, etc.), but it’s perfect because Conrad will definitely be cozier if he’s covered up more.  He’d be too exposed in just the cage and would definitely be more nervous.  It has two pockets on one end, to hold small items (like the health certificate I’ll need to show) and fresh air vents in a star-shaped window covered with mesh on each side.  It’s plastic-lined, so if water spills it will be easy to wipe up (although I’ll only give him water on the plane).  The outside is a striped fabric in blues, black and yellow (very pretty!).  I'll have to photograph it and show you all!

Lastly, I purchased some seed, but I bought the smallest package they sold, because I figure I just need enough to last me the next 39 days and I’ll buy more when I get back to NY.  I was so relieved and excited to have found this cage and container, because now I am completely set to fly with Conrad.  It meets the airline’s specifications, it’s cute and it will be easy to carry.  Who could ask for anything more?

When I got back to the apartment I just had about a half hour to relax before changing into my yoga clothes and heading to South Park.  I remembered that my regular instructor is in India (where all the yogis go) so we had a substitute.  She was very young, and very sweet, but she made us work a lot harder, so it wasn’t as serene as usual, although I totally enjoyed it.

When I got home I watched THE BIGGEST LOSER and then AMERICAN IDOL.  I just can’t get enough of my reality TV!!!

I’m SO excited to show Artie the apartment tomorrow and then take him out to lunch.  I’m going to offer some of my favorite lunch spots and see where he’d like to go.  Depending on his schedule we can stay close in Clairemont, head north – since that’s the direction we need to go anyway or – if he has time – take him south to Hillcrest, Old Town, South Park, Little Italy, or Downtown.  It’s all up to Artie!

I have no excuse for not blogging last night or all day today.  I didn’t get home that late last night.  It was only about 11:00pm, but I was exhausted and just didn’t feel up to it.  I had pictures I wanted to download, and I knew it wouldn’t just be a fast “type and post” because when pictures are involved it can take hours!

I picked Artie up at the GRAND DEL MAR at noon and took him back to Clairemont to see the apartment.  He loved it!  I had told him that I have a view of a pool – just like he did on his patio at the hotel – and he was amazed at how beautiful, how tranquil, how picturesque and how lush the environment is.  There are beautiful flowers everywhere – birds of paradise, bougainvillea, hibiscus, roses, and other lovely flowers, bushes, palms, ferns, and succulents.  He loved the flower pots I have on the balcony, and agreed that the view through the open door is very inviting.

I gave him the “5 minute tour” of the apartment and then we left to go to lunch.  I was so glad that Artie got to see the apartment before I left San Diego, and he was happy, too.  It was such an unexpected surprise that he was visiting.  He only found out about this job a month ago!

I told Artie about THE BIG KITCHEN in South Park and explained that it was fabulous food, a fun and funky environment and that I brought ALL my visitors there.  Unfortunately, Judy the beauty was NOT on duty, but he thoroughly enjoyed it anyway!  I had my new “usual” – grilled cheese and tuna.  Artie had an omelet.  I took home half my sandwich (they’re huge), but Artie ate all his omelet and most of his potatoes (they’re magically good!) and enjoyed it all!  He loved the story about Whoopi having worked there years ago.  We sat in a booth on one side, but I showed him the kitchen (where Whoopi’s signature is on a wall) and the other room, too, because of all the posters and artwork on the walls.

After we left, I showed him a lot of the Mission Style houses in the neighborhood.  He really appreciates that stuff, too!  Then, we drove to HILLCREST, because Artie used to hang there when he had gigs in San Diego years ago and he wanted to see if he remembered anything.  The only thing he really remembered was the big HILLCREST sign on University, but he enjoyed the tour anyway.  I showed him where Stacie’s video was filmed, and my favorite shop – WEAR IT AGAIN SAM.

Then, we drove to LA JOLLA, and I took him down PROSPECT street, so he could see all the fancy stores and restaurants.  It was such a gorgeous day (he had perfect weather the whole time he was here) and we had a view of the cliffs and the beach as we were leaving.

Finally, we drove back to the GRAND DEL MAR and I dropped Artie off.  He had another party at 7:00pm and had things to see to.  I told him I would come back for the party and headed back to the apartment.  I spoke to Eric and told him I wasn’t feeling great.  I had a headache (very rare for me) and was feeling tired.  He told me to go home, take 2 Advil, relax for a while, maybe take a nap, and then get dressed and go.  He said “You HAVE to go to the party.  You have to hang with Artie!”  He knows how far back Artie and I go back, and what a special relationship we have.  It was so sweet how he was encouraging me to go – and he convinced me!

I came back to the apartment, took the 2 Advil and set the alarm for 6:00pm.  I did manage to nap, and when I woke up I showered, got dressed and went.  I wore my new purple satin platform shoes, which I just ADORE!!!  They’re very comfortable and I love wearing them.  I wore black Capri pants and a black t-shirt with a knee-length purple Chinese jacket over it.  It’s a vintage jacket with the typical mandarin collar, frog closures, slits on the sides, and thick cuffs on the sleeves.  I also wore a long silver necklace with crystal and pearls and a tassel at the end with matching crystal and pearl earrings.

When I got to the hotel, I asked the valet how much it was to have them take my car.  He told me it was “complimentary” and I was thrilled, because I didn’t have to walk down from the parking lot!  Why would anyone park their own car if it’s complimentary?

I found the party, and Artie, who looked so handsome dressed all in black.  He was giving final instructions to the four musicians who were hired for the entertainment that night.  The theme of the night was a “Buddha Bar,” which I never heard of before, but apparently is some kind of lounge scene with tranquil Indian music you might hear in a yoga class, played by beatnik musicians sitting on the floor.  It wasn’t really my style, but the lead singer, named Spring, is a really good friend of Artie’s, and she has an amazing voice.

She had traveled from Los Angeles that day with two other musicians and they were joined by a fourth who lives here in Ocean Beach.  They did a great job and everyone really seemed to enjoy their sound.

At one point this woman, Matilde, who hired Artie, came over and told me someone wanted to take my picture.  The man, who looked to be in his late 50s, introduced himself as Skeeter.  I told him I was “nobody,” and couldn’t understand why he wanted to take my picture, but apparently he’s an “artiste” and wanted to get a specific picture.  He asked me and Matilde (who is as little as me) to stand on either side of a candle sconce and look seriously up at the light.  We did so, and he showed us the picture.  It was our profiles in shadow with the candles burning bright in-between.  Very nice!  Then, he took some pictures of us standing forward and just smiling.  Don’t ask me why!  It was fun, anyway!

There was a lovely buffet, but Artie and I only snacked a little and then we and the musicians all ordered from room service and it was delivered at 10:00pm, when the party was over, to a small room they used as a dressing room the night before and we used as a “hang out” room that night.  It was really fancy, with padded damask walls, lots of fancy gold moldings and elegant sconces.  I guess it is usually used as a small meeting room.

Here's one picture I took of the wall in the small meeting room where we occasionally hung out and then had dinner after the party was over:

It was not the best thing in the world for me to have mushroom fettuccini with sundried tomatoes, asparagus, and shaved parmesan at 10:00pm, with a dessert plate afterwards that was TO DIE FOR (Artie had the same thing).  I’ve gained about 6 pounds since I came back to San Diego after Thanksgiving.  I’ve just been eating whatever I want and eating out a LOT.  I hope my NY friends are prepared for my chubbiness when I get back to NY!!!!!

After we ate, I went back to Artie’s room, so he could get the checks for the musicians, and I took some photos of his accommodations, which were SO luxurious and beautiful.

Beyond these curtains was the little patio.

This mirrored vanity area was next to the bed.  Beyond the mirrored doors is the bathroom!

After everyone had packed everything up, I took another picture of the room.  You can see how beautiful it was!

The company that supplied the tables and chairs was called PACIFIC EVENT PRODUCTIONS and had their initials on a dolly.  I couldn't resist!

I left soon after.  When I got home, as I said, I was too tired to blog, so I just got undressed and watched AMERICAN IDOL.  Then, I started watching DIVINE DESIGN, but I shut it off before it was done, because my eyes were closing.

It was a great night with Artie and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day – and the great event I was lucky enough to attend.

I got up at 8:00am, left the house a little before 9:00am, stopped at STARBUCKS and then headed north to the GRAND DEL MAR for the last time to pick Artie up at 9:30am and take him to the airport.

I dropped him off a few minutes before 10:00am and went to get gas at COSTCO.  My gas light had come on while I was driving home, and I figured now was as good a time as any!

After that, I came back to the apartment and didn’t do much of anything all afternoon except relax and watch TV.  I watched one of my new favorite shows – LIE TO ME, which was on last night.  It’s REALLY good and I HIGHLY recommend it – if you’re looking for an interesting new drama!

I left the apartment again after 4:30pm and headed to La Jolla for my regular Thursday appointment.  I got there a few minutes early (as usual) and sat down.  Next to my chair was a bunch of HIGHLIGHT magazines, which I see every week.  I’m sure most or all of you remember HIGHLIGHT magazine.  I used to LOVE HIGHLIGHT magazine when I was a kid.  The puzzle where you had to find the objects hidden in a tree, or a building, the short stories, the jokes, and my absolute favorite was GOOFUS AND GALLANT.  Do you remember them?

If not, let me explain.  It was drawn like a comic strip, but it was always a lesson in manners.  Goofus would always do the wrong thing and his brother Gallant was always polite and well-mannered.  I looked through an issue today and I didn’t them, but I read online that they do still have them in the magazine, which – by the way – was first published in 1948!

Click here to see if you're GOOFUS or GALLANT!

http://www.iwasahighlightskid.com/2008/10/goofus-or-galla.html

One example of GOOFUS AND GALLANT would be that they would be on line for ice cream or something at a party.  It would say, “Goofus pushed to the front of the line, but Gallant stood at the end and let a young lady go ahead of him.”  The picture would show Goofus, with a mean face and his eyebrows drawn up in an expression of evil gluttony.  Gallant, on the other hand, would have a beatific smile on his face.  I always loved Goofus and Gallant!  Anyway, it brought back a LOT of memories!

After my session I came right home and made a big salad.  Before I ate, I started blogging, because I hadn’t posted yesterday’s blog yet.  I had lots of pictures of the party, Artie’s room, etc., so I did that, then I ate while I watched AMERICAN IDOL and then I watched HELL’S KITCHEN and then UGLY BETTY!  What a great night of TV!

Tomorrow I’m getting my color touched up at 10:45am and then heading to Temecula to a winery for a wine tasting with my cousin Audrey, who is visiting from Las Vegas, and her friend, Bonnie, who also lives in San Diego.  Since I don’t drink wine, I offered to be the designated driver.  Audrey and I went alone last time she was here and we had a lot of fun, so it should be a fun afternoon!

My phone rang at 8:30am this morning, which is VERY unusual.  It was John, my colorist, asking if I could come in a little earlier.  I told him I could and jumped up to go into the shower.  I had a fast breakfast of cereal and chocolate soy milk and then called Eric before I left the house.  I stopped at STARBUCKS and headed to PORTFOLIO, which is where John now works.  He left HAIRSPRAY, where he used to work, and is still on University in Hillcrest, but just about two miles down.

It’s a very nice, clean, open salon with a parking lot in the back, so it’s very convenient.
He colored my hair and I told him I was driving to Temecula to go to a few wineries with my cousin Audrey, who is visiting from Las Vegas, and her best friend, Bonnie, who lives in San Marcos.  My hair is getting a little unruly, but I didn’t cut it today.  I told John when I come in next (my last touch-up in San Diego!) I will see if I want to trim it, or cut it really short again.  John takes such a long time that even though I got in early, I left just a little before noon.

I stopped at home to change quickly (John ALWAYS gets my shirt wet when he washes my hair), picked up my camera, and headed back out to pick up Audrey and Bonnie at Bonnie’s house.  I got there a little before 1:00pm and we headed north to Temecula.  I had a coupon for a free wine tasting at one of six wineries on De Portola Road.

It was a gorgeous day for a drive – a bit chilly, but the sun was shining and there were lots of fluffy white clouds in a perfect blue sky.  We never stopped talking for a second the whole trip.  I could see that the three of us could be locked in a room for a month and never run out of conversation.  Audrey is fabulous, because she loves to laugh and when she laughs it makes you laugh, too.  Bonnie is really funny and has so many great stories.  I was just trying to concentrate on driving without missing a thing going on!

That's Bonnie, Audrey and me -- when we were just gettin' started!

We used Betty to help us get in the general area, but Bonnie knew her way around and we found the first winery very easily.  It was called KEYWAYS WINERY.  we had a coupon for buy one, get one free, so it was only $5 each for the three of us to have 6 tastings.  There were a few that were so delicious, sweet and fruity, but I’m really not a wine drinker, so I only tasted four and gave 2 of my tickets to Bonnie and Audrey, so they could drink more.  After all, I was the designated driver!

After KEYWAYS we headed to OAK MOUNTAIN WINERY.  This place was very unusual, because most of the wineries I have seen look like a bar, with lots of bottles (and ribbons from awards they have won) behind the bar.  This place had big wooden barrels of wine behind the counter.  It was very striking looking!

I decided not to participate in this tasting, because although I had less than one glass of wine at the first place, my stomach was pretty empty and I already felt it a little.  I just kept the girls company (and Audrey gave me a few sips of hers, too!).  We were starting to get hungry (it was after 3:30pm), so we decided to get lunch before heading to the third winery.

Oak Mountain Winery had some items for sale made with corks by very clever crafters.  If you drink a lot of wine and have some corks laying around, here are some great ideas!!

My friend, John (my colorist) had recommended a place, but he couldn’t remember the name, so he called a friend.  It was very loud in the salon, so I guess he couldn’t hear very well, but he said it was on Faulkner and was called “Tynical.”  I thought that sounded VERY strange, but he wrote it down, so I took the piece of paper with me.  He said it was a FABULOUS place that was round on one side with a wall of windows and was high on a hill that overlooked several wineries.  You could see for miles!  He said the food was fabulous, and it wasn’t expensive.

We asked the woman at the second winery to recommend a place to eat and she said PINNACLE on Faulkner.  I said, “Pinnacle!!!!!! Not Tynical!!!!”  I thought that was such a coincidence that she named the same place, so we decided to go there.

Unfortunately, when we found it we saw that it had already closed.  Believe it or not, most of the restaurants there close at 2:30pm and the wineries all close by 4:00pm or 5:00pm.  Nothing in that area is open at night.  I thought that was crazy, and didn’t really understand, but that’s the way it is!  Anyway, we were now STARVING and I was getting crabby.  It’s amazing how that happens to me.  My mother is the same way.  She always says she has to eat every few hours and I’m the same way.  It has happened to me numerous times, and it’s embarrassing, because I’m practically growling!

The next place we found was CAROL’S, where Audrey and I had eaten a lovely lunch a year ago when we visited the wineries.  Unfortunately, that place was closed, too!  At last we found a place called MERITAGE at Callaway.  I was so crabby I wouldn’t even get out of the car.  Bonnie offered to go and see if the place was opened and then did a “happy dance” in the parking lot when she saw that it was.  We were euphoric!

We decided to get a bunch of their tapas-style appetizers – fried crab wontons, margarita pizza, seared ahi tuna, steamed muscles in a delicious broth, steamed clams in a delicious broth, and shrimp cocktail.  It was really good and we thoroughly enjoyed it all!

Audrey treated us, which was so nice and after being so hungry we were so happy to have such a delicious meal, which really hit the spot.  This restaurant also was up on a hill overlooking all the grape fields, but they’re just sticks right now – nothing’s growing yet, so it was kind of barren, but still beautiful.  We were outdoors, and it was pretty chilly today, but they had those great heat lamps that keep you nice and toasty.  Audrey was cold, because she’s used to the Las Vegas heat, but she was happy under the warmth of the heat lamps!

After our lovely late lunch we headed to a third winery, which was one that Audrey and I had been to last time.  It’s called LA CEREZA and we remembered that they had great wine, beautiful artwork, and lovely wine and other merchandise to make entertaining in your home more fun and festive.  LA CEREZA is the place where I first saw Anton Arkipov’s art work (they have for sale a few of his smaller originals, which cost over a thousand dollars, and also have some of his artwork on labels on the wine bottles!).  It is where I first fell in love with his art and I have now become one of his biggest fans!

Once again, I let Audrey and Bonnie do all the drinking and I just enjoyed their company.  I knew we would be heading home after this tasting and I wanted to have my wits about me!

It was after 5:00pm by the time we headed back to San Marcos.  We had had a lot of laughs.  There were a few moments there when Audrey was laughing so hard that Bonnie and I were afraid she might have an accident!  At one point, when we couldn’t find an open restaurant, Audrey pulled out a small bag of oyster crackers, which they give you at the wineries.  I thought they give it to you to kind of coat your stomach, since you’re drinking a lot, but apparently it’s to cleanse your palate!  Shows how much I know about wine drinking!

Anyway, I told Audrey, “Don’t open them!  If we can’t find an open restaurant we may be sitting in the car dividing those up!”  We were all laughing, but Audrey was doubled over and could hardly walk.  I’m actually laughing now, just thinking about it.

It was just getting dark when I dropped the girls back home at Bonnie’s.  Audrey is leaving tomorrow afternoon, so I’m really glad I had a chance to see her and Bonnie while she was here.  I don’t know when I’ll get to see either of them again, so I’m really glad we were able to do this today.  It was fun and they are both really great company.

After I dropped them off I came back to the apartment and relaxed for a while.  Then I had some salad, which I had made last night.  I really wasn’t that hungry, so I didn’t eat until 9:00pm.  I watched AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, which I had DVR’d the other night.  It is the first episode in Cycle 12.  As always, there is one girl you immediately hate.  All I do is wait for her to get eliminated.  She was in the bottom 2 in the first episode, but managed to survive.

Tyra always has a few that have special needs – one cycle had a girl who was legally blind; another was autistic, still another had Lupus.  This year there are two special girls.  One is badly scarred from an accident when she was a baby.  The scars are mostly on her stomach and legs, and she is so brave, because she wants to show that you don't have to hide your true self.  This is who she is -- and she's really beautiful.

The other girl has Epilepsy.  Unfortunately, the girl with Epilepsy was the first to be eliminated, but it is so encouraging to girls all over the world to see that you can overcome any kind of physical or mental disability you might have and achieve anything you want.  All of these girls are beautiful, but there has to be something that makes them stand out – something special they bring besides their physical beauty, that makes them a Top Model.  This is one of my favorite reality shows, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the season!

I don’t have any plans for the weekend, which is fine with me since I had a pretty busy week.  I’m looking forward to relaxing, doing laundry, food shopping, and starting to pack.  I have to start sometime, don’t I?

I have a sad story to relate.  My roommate – Mr. Spider (or Spidey, as I lovingly called him) is no more.  He had to die.  We had a deal!

I forgot to mention it yesterday, but at about 11:00pm on Thursday night I went into the bathroom and, instead of being in his little corner, where he had remained for the past 2 weeks, he was on the wall, outside the shower, right near the toilet.  It freaked me out.  Now, looking back, I realize that there must have been a way for me to get him into a cup or something and put him outside, but all I could think of was that he wasn’t sticking to the deal and I had to get rid of him!

I went and got the vacuum and vacuumed him up and then vacuumed the web that was in the corner of the shower.  I felt bad, because I was actually getting used to him—but I was used to him being in the same exact spot, day after day, whenever I went into the bathroom.  I was NOT used to him being on the wall by the toilet.  That was too close for comfort.  I realized I couldn’t just let him crawl around, because then he could be anywhere and that was too much for me.

I almost cried – literally – when I did it, because I felt so mean and cruel, after befriending him and talking to him during my showers for so long, but he had to go!  If only Eric was here, none of this would have happened, because he would have relocated him to a safe spot outside.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t up to the task, so I’m afraid he’s gone forever.  Poor Mr. Spider.  I had such high hopes for our friendship!

Anyway, on to today!  I took care of a lot of moving-related stuff .  I investigated getting a Post Office Box in Whitestone, which you can do right online.  I didn’t order it yet, because I need to find out a little bit more information, but I decided that’s the best course of action for me and Eric.  When I move back to NY, if I change my address to his current address I’ll have to change it AGAIN when we move.  If I get us a PO box, then we can keep that when we move, and at least my mail won’t be getting forwarded from San Diego to Whitestone to wherever we end up.

I scheduled the end date for my cable service.  Believe it or not, Time Warner is just about 2 blocks from my apartment, so I can bring the equipment there and save $30, rather than having someone pick it up.  I figure I’ll either do it on the 9th or 10th, so I can have TV until the very end.  After all, you KNOW how I love my TV!

I also scheduled the end date for my electric and gas, which will be the Monday after I leave.  I gave Time Warner and SDG&E my forwarding address for the last payments.

Next, I confirmed with Mayflower that my move is completely set.  I don’t need to do a thing – except pack!

I filled out a form for the Initial Inspection of Rental Unit form, but I still have to give it to the building manager, saying that I want to be present for the inspection, which will determine how much of my deposit I get back.  The only thing for which I can see him deducting anything would be all the big holes in the wall from the 4 shelves in the dining area and the 10 shelves in the bedroom.  I hope not, but it may happen.

I also paid a couple of bills and made a few phone calls, so I was busy on the phone and computer all morning long.

In the afternoon I drove thru STARBUCKS and then went to BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY in the Clairemont Town Square so I could buy a big suitcase on wheels.  I had borrowed one from Rosemary when I went to NY, but I can’t borrow it again, since I’m not coming back!  I thought about just traveling with my carry-on and perhaps shipping a box to Eric, but I decided that the easiest thing to do is just to get another suitcase on wheels, since it would probably cost the same as shipping a big box and I don’t have to worry about where to ship it and how I’m going to get it once it gets to NY!

I looked around BCF and they had a lot of suitcases to choose from.  I finally found one that’s browns and beiges and is called  “water cube” design on polyester.  It kind of looks like brown stones.  It’s very cute and won’t show dirt like a solid would.  It will also stand out, because it’s nothing I’ve ever seen before, so it will be easy to find on the carousel at the airport!

The funny thing is it’s made in China, and there are several mistakes on the label.  There are eight bullet points, such as: “Constructed of supreme fashionable ‘water cube’ printed polyester,” and “All uprights are expandable for additional packing capacity.”  Another says, “Recessed coner (I think it’s supposed to be “corner”) skate wheels provide a smooth and quite roll (I think it’s supposed to be “quiet”).  Pretty funny, eh?  Where’s their proof reader?

Anyway, between my little pink one and my big brown one, I should be able to pack everything I’ll need for a week until my stuff arrives from San Diego.

I have to admit that I DID buy something else in BCF.  Something I didn’t necessarily need, but REALLY wanted.  I have a new obsession --- Damask!  It’s very hot right now and I decided that I’m going to decorate the bedroom in our next apartment with damask.  It’s very beautiful, and a little feminine, without being florally.  Our master bedroom in NY was totally floral and I think Eric’s had enough of that (even though he never complained).  I went with an Asian theme here, but although I love that, I am going with damask in our next apartment.

Since I purchased a chocolate brown headboard last year, and I’m bringing that to NY, I want to do the master bedroom in browns, creams, and turquoise – kind of a Tiffany blue.  I saw these gorgeous fabric-covered storage boxes in BCF that were those EXACT colors and I just had to buy them!  They’re chocolate brown with a light turquoise damask design.  There is a large size, two medium size and two smaller size and I also bought a box of matching drawer liners, but I probably won’t use them to line drawers!  I’ll probably use them for a decoupage project somewhere in the room.  I’m so excited about my new color scheme!

After I left BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY, I decided to check out TJ MAXX and ODD LOTS just to make sure they didn’t have any nicer suitcases at a better price.  I’m happy to report that they didn’t!

Then I came back to the apartment.  I had MACARONI AND CHEESE for dinner and watched THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE.  It was really good.  On the first episode Andrew Dice Clay got fired.  He’s an idiot.  Joan Rivers was the project manager for the women’s team and I have to say she did a great job.  She seemed like a real mensch!  Her daughter, Melissa, did a good job, too.  I was pleasantly surprised!

This afternoon I got an email about an estate sale being held in a booth at KOBEY’S FLEA MARKET tomorrow.  I just may go over there just to see what’s being sold.  I’m not in the market for anything, but you know that doesn’t mean I won’t find something to buy!

So, as you know, yesterday I purchased a suitcase (necessary) and some storage boxes and shelf paper (unnecessary).  Today, I spent more money I shouldn’t be spending.

Here are the storage boxes I bought -- you can only see the largest -- the other ones fit inside each other.

I watched SNL last night (Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) is very funny, so I knew it would be a good show – and it was).  I knew the sale at Kobey’s Flea Market started at 7:00am.  I also knew there was no way in hell I would be there that early, but I did plan to go.  I went to sleep a little after 1:00am.

The phone rang this morning and it was Eric.  He asked me if I was still sleeping and I told him I was.  It was 10:00am, but my body still thought it was 9:00am.  He was about to go out for a ride, which was why he called me.  Instead of going back to sleep after we hung up, I decided to get up and get out.  I had a fast breakfast of cereal and soy milk, showered, dressed, and was out the door a little after 11:00am.

I drove through STARBUCKS.  They all know me by now (big surprise) and this one kid calls me "New York."  Every time I drive through and place my order, if he's working he'll say, "Is this New York?"  He's about 18 and he's SO cute!  If it's one of the girls and I don't get my usual, they'll say, "I didn't know if that was you or not.  I recognized the accent, but not the drink!"  I love them!

Anyway, I got to the flea market and paid my $1 entry fee.  I was looking for booth G55, which is where the woman who sent me the email said she’d be selling.  I walked around, looking this way and that, noticing all the stuff they have for sale.  A lot of it is the same all the time, but there are always new booths and new and different merchandise for sale.

Something caught my eye.  It was a big fan.  It looked like metal (old brass or iron), but when I went to touch it I saw it was plastic.  I had tons of that kind of stuff in my shop over the years.  Sconces, shelves, mirrors, framed art – all of which looked like metal or wood, but was really made of plastic.  Most of it was manufactured in the 1950s. 

Most people would stick their noses up at it, but I always loved the stuff, because it was kind if kitschy and really could pass for the real thing in a lot of cases.  There were always girls who loved the stuff, because it was ornate and a little funky.  I thought this looked great just the way it was, but I immediately thought of how fabulous it would look painted all one color – white on a dark wall, or black on a light wall.  I LOVE fans – always have – and it was so ornate I just fell right in love with it.  I asked the woman how much and she said, “Five bucks!”  I couldn’t argue with that, so I handed it over.

As I was paying her, I said, “I must be nuts!”  She asked me why and I told her that I was moving to New York in a month and now had something ELSE to ship!  She laughed, but agreed that it was light enough and for $5 it was certainly worth it!

Now, I was walking around carrying this light but cumbersome fan!  I finally found the booth with the costume jewelry.  The woman was nice enough to take the fan and put it in her van while I shopped, so I didn’t have to worry about leaning it against a table or anything.  She had lots of really beautiful pieces – pins, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings.  All costume.  All vintage.  Most of it really nice.  I looked at a few pins, but they didn’t thrill me.  There was a really elaborate rhinestone and crystal necklace in the middle of a tray and it was marked $65.  I thought that was ridiculously cheap, so I asked to see it.

She showed it to me and explained that it wasn’t signed (I couldn’t care less) and that it had one tiny stone missing (easily replaceable).  These are all prong set stones – not glued -- and the combination of stones and crystals made it really glitzy.  There were big brown rhinestones, smaller amber rhinestones and lots of crystals – clear and aurora borealis – all set in gold metal.  It was gorgeous.  I tried it on and it looked beautiful around my neck.  It was something that I would have sold for about $150 in my shop – and my prices were ALWAYS very cheap, so I knew this was a good price.

I looked in my wallet and saw that I had exactly $49 left.  I had left the house with $55, but paid $5 for the fan and $1 to get into the flea market.  I told her that I didn’t want to have to use an ATM and pay $1.50 or $2.00 to get more money, so I asked if she would take the $49.  Since I was one of her “customers” (because I received her email) and because she saw I wasn’t lying and that my wallet was now empty, she gave it to me for $49.

I was SO happy.  I really love the necklace and really big, elaborate costume jewelry is SO big for this season.  2009 is all about vintage, costume, and “statement” pieces, and this is definitely all three!

I paid her, picked up my fan, and started to walk up and down the aisles, because I wanted to find the “bird man” so I could thank him again for my darling Conrad and tell him I wouldn’t be seeing him again, since I will be leaving SD in a month.  I finally found him.  He had the cutest birds for sale.  I had my camera, and I should have taken pictures, but I kind of had my hands full with the fan, so I didn’t.  There was a pair in one cage.  They were some kind of exotic parakeets and they were pink, brown, and blue.  They had very strange beaks that were so flat against their faces that they looked “beakless.”  I LOVED them.  I think if I were staying I might have had to buy one, so it’s a good thing I’m leaving!

Here's a picture I took today of my darling, Conrad.  Isn't he the cutest?

Here's a picture of Conrad's travel accommodations.  As you can see, they're quite lovely! 

It’s also a good thing my wallet was empty, because I would have stopped to look at the sunglasses (I just broke one of the pairs I purchased in Florida in December, but I still have one pair left) and I might have gone for an airbrushed tattoo – which lasts for 2 weeks.  Fortunately, I made it back to my car without hitting the ATM and came right back to the apartment.

As I was getting out of my car I saw a neighbor with a stroller.  I didn’t know she had a baby, so I was a little puzzled.  As she got closer I saw that she had two Persian cats in the stroller.  They were separated by a piece of cardboard, which she explained she had to use so they wouldn’t kill each other.  Apparently, they don’t get along!

This one was shaved!

She told me that she rescues Persians, which seems inexplicable to me, because who would ever want to abandon a Persian, but she said it’s very common in California!  Apparently they breed them too much and when they can’t sell them they just let them go.  So sad!

This was isn't shaved!

She told me she was taking them to the vet.  The next thing I knew, she had put one in her little Volkswagen and the other ran into the bushes.  Not too big a deal, except there’s a HUGE canyon right beyond our complex and the parking lot is right at the edge.  If the cat would have gone down into the canyon, it would be absolutely impossible for anyone but a professional rescue team to get it, since it’s so steep that no one could get down there.

Fortunately, I watched the one cat in the car while she chased and captured the other one.  She said the cat was freaked out because she had shaved her that day, and then putting her in the stroller had really put her over the edge.  She looked SO funny, because the only thing that had fur was her head and her feet and the end of her tail.  The rest of her was BALD.  It was kind of like a French poodle style.  SO funny!

After that great adventure I came back up to the apartment and looked at my purchases.  I really love them both!  I called Eric and told him I was a bad, bad girl, but – as always – he was happy I had bought something for myself.  He’s so generous that way.  He doesn’t often buy me presents, but he loves when I buy them for myself!

I’ve always thought I was lucky, because I get to pick out all my gifts and it’s always exactly what I want.  He’s never begrudged me anything – ever – which is very rare in a husband!  One thing Eric and I have never fought about is money.  We are both very practical and never lived beyond our means.  He trusts me and knows I wouldn’t spend any money if I couldn’t afford to spend it.

Anyway, I just relaxed and watched AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL.  Today’s marathon was a cycle I had never seen before, so it was really great.  A lot of times I’ve seen them, but it was years ago, so I watch it again.  When it’s a cycle I missed and now I get to “catch up” it is really fun.  I made a piece of salmon and a salad for dinner and worked on the computer for a while.

Tomorrow I have to drive to the Chrysler dealership and see about getting the rear bumper fixed.  I’ve got the check deposited and just have to find out the logistics of dropping off the car and how long it will take.

I have to make the appointment with the building manager for the final inspection of the apartment.  I also have to ask the building manager if he would be willing to take responsibility for the shippers picking up the car, if they do pick it up after I leave.  Rosemary offered to do it, but it would be very complicated if she needed to leave work in order to go home to wait for them and it would be so easy for my building manager.  I just don’t know if he’d be willing to do it.  I’m betting he’s not, because he’s kind of a “stick to the rules” kind of guy and there are probably liability issues.  Anyway, it can’t hurt to ask!

I have to make an appointment with the vet for a week before I fly, so Conrad can get his “health certificate.”

I have to pick up wardrobe boxes from one of the girls in HR.  She moved recently and told me she has some wardrobe boxes.  It would not only save me about $50, but then I can pack them before the day I move.  Any boxes I need from the shipping company will come the day I leave, and they’ll be packing me up that day.  Obviously, the more I can get done by myself the cheaper and the easier it will be that day.  The only stuff I’m leaving for them is the artwork and the breakables, because they take more responsibility for breakage if THEY packed it.  Otherwise, they can say, “Well, we don’t know how well you packed it…” and it makes it harder to collect on the insurance.

So much to do!  Thank goodness I have the time to do it!

My big goal today was to arrange for the car to be fixed.  I thought I’d go over there, tell them what needed to be done and make an appointment to go back.  Not what happened.

When I left the apartment, I first stopped at the building manager's apartment and asked him and his wife if they would be willing to let the auto shipper pick up the car from them, instead of from me, so I could keep it as long as possible.  They said that would be fine, so I have to call the shipper tomorrow and set it all up.

Then, I went to the vet and made an appointment for Conrad.  I wanted to go the Monday before I left (4/6), but it turned out the only time I could get an appointment is the Thursday before (4/2), which should be okay.  The certificate just has to be dated within 10 days of flying.

Then, I drove the 4 miles to the Chrysler dealership on Balboa.  I pulled in, waited a few minutes, and then they told me that they didn’t do body work and sent me next door to “Jimmy Johnson’s KEARNY MESA CHEVROLET.”  I was instructed to ask for “Stan.”

When I got there, I parked and went into an office.  They told me I had to go to a different section, so I had to get back in the car a third time and drive to a particular building, which I did.  I went inside and asked for Stan.  A few minutes later he arrived.  He was adorable – little and cute.  I don’t know why I pictured Stan being in his 50s with gray hair and a pot belly, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

He went outside, looked at the damage, and told me it would be about $1,000 and would take about 5 business days.  Yowzer!  I told him I only received a little over $600.  He asked me what insurance I had.  I told him GMAC.  He said he deals with them all the time, and even knows Bill, the guy who did my appraisal.  He said I have to leave the car with them, get the appraiser to come and approve the additional funds, and then he’d have it fixed – getting the additional money directly from GMAC.

In the meantime, he called across the street to ENTERPRISE (where Eric and I had originally rented a PT when we first got to San Diego and where we purchased the one we now own).  A few minutes later, Jason from ENTERPRISE came and picked me up (that’s what Enterprise does, as you know!) and brought me across the street.  Five minutes later I drove out of there with a silver 2008 PT and went back across the street to transfer Betty, my yoga mat, my CDs and my box of tissues from my PT to the rental.

Then, I had to drive back to the apartment, because the body shop needed a copy of my appraisal from GMAC.  I came back to the apartment, picked it up, went back to the dealership, gave them a copy, signed all the paperwork, and was on my way.

ENTERPRISE is only charging me $15 a day, which I will get back from AAA, the insurance company of the car that hit me.  So, it’s all good.  The funny thing is that the cars are so exactly the same that I don’t even feel like I’m in a rental, which is really great.

Jason asked me if I wanted to rent something different, but I told him I’m a “creature of habit” and that I liked getting a PT, because I didn’t have to think about anything.

After all that, I finally hit STARBUCKS, and then headed back to the apartment.  I did a little work on the computer, paying bills, making more moving arrangements, and coordinating all my paperwork, and then I took a nap.

When I woke up, I made some tuna and a macaroni and cheese for dinner.  I’m using up all the food in the apartment and am putting off going food shopping for as long as possible.  I ran out of SNAPPLES the other day, but I have instant powered iced tea (which isn’t that good – but, hey, it’s a drink) and lots of tea bags, so I figure I should be able to avoid buying SNAPPLE until I move back to NY.  That should save me $12 a week!

Monday nights is a great night on TV for me – HEROES, MEDIUM and now the new season of DANCING WITH THE STARS.  I watched most of DWTS and really enjoyed it.  I didn’t get to see all the dancers, because I switched to MEDIUM at 10:15pm, but I really enjoyed the guy from the SEX AND THE CITY movie and STEVE-O, from JACKASS.  I never watched that show in my entire life, but he had a great personality and was surprisingly sweet and not cocky and crazy like I thought he would be.

There are a lot of interesting personalities on this season.  Steve-O is a recovering drug addict; Lil’ Kim is an ex-con rapper; there’s a rodeo cowboy, and a computer genius (Steve Wozniak), along with a Playboy Bunny, an Olympic gold medalist, a football star, a comedian, and some actresses and singers.  A very interesting group, indeed!

Perhaps the most notorious is the recently-dumped Melissa Rycroft who “won” on THE BACHELOR only to be replaced by the runner up!  I don’t watch that show, so I missed all the drama, but I’m glad to see she’s already on to bigger and better things.

Anyway, I have a lot going on this week.  Wednesday night I’m taking Elsa out to dinner for her birthday at Haiku in Pacific Beach.  Thursday night I’m having dinner with Rosemary at BJ’s, the pizza place we like.  Friday, I’m going to go karaoking with Marti, the girl I met through Jimmy, and who lives right down Clairemont Drive.  I had my fender bender about 100 feet from her front door!

Saturday morning Joe and Miguel are driving down from Los Angeles to spend the weekend with me.  I’m SO excited!  They’re going to stay a a hotel Saturday night, but we’ll get to spend Saturday and Sunday together.  I’m going to be in Los Angeles for a weekend before I go back to NY, so I’ll get to see them then, but I thought it was SO wonderful that they wanted to take the time to come down and see me here before I leave San Diego.

So, I have a lot of fun ahead of me.  I’m really looking forward to it!

I had a pretty easy day.  I arranged for shipment of the car this morning (all via internet) and did a load of laundry.  Other than that, I ran a few errands, went to STARBUCKS and worked around the apartment.

At around 4:30pm I decided to watch the last two episodes of HEROES.  After the second one was finished, it was a little after 6:00pm.  I was feeling tired, but didn’t plan on taking a nap, because I usually leave around 6:40pm for my class and there really wasn’t time.  I was just lying in bed and the next thing I knew I opened my eyes and looked at the clock.  It was 6:59!  DANG!  I really did plan all day to go to my yoga class, even though it is “that time of the month” and I really wasn’t feeling that great.

My teacher was in India and I’m pretty sure she is now back and I was looking forward to hearing of her adventures, and now I missed it.  I couldn’t believe I fell asleep.  I really felt like I just closed my eyes for a minute, and then almost an hour passed!

I was disappointed, but there was nothing I could do about it, so I made some phone calls, wrote some emails, and did some paperwork until my shows came on.  I was excited about THE BIGGEST LOSER and AMERICAN IDOL.

First, I watched AMERICAN IDOL.  The theme for the night was Michael Jackson songs.  As soon as I heard that, I cringed, because MJ is SO talented and is such an original, that singing a lot of his songs is impossible.  You just can’t measure up.  For the most part, I was right, but there were a few stand-outs.

Next, I watched THE BIGGEST LOSER.  That show keeps me on the edge of my seat.  There’s so much strategizing going on.  The game changes every week and they’re always throwing in some new twist.

While watching both shows, on every commercial, I started emptying my closet.  First, I went through all my shoes.  I picked about 6 pairs to either sell at the garage sale or donate.  Then, I started putting shoes that I won’t be wearing for the next few weeks away in the empty shoe boxes I had stored on the other side of the closet.

Next, I started taking purses down from the shelves around the bedroom.  I vacuumed them off, since they get dusty up there, and then started packing them away.  Since I’ll be getting the wardrobe boxes from one of the girls in HR on Thursday, I can start packing up my clothes.  I will fill the bottom of the wardrobe boxes with shoe boxes and wrapped purses, and then put the clothes on the hangers on the pole on top.

I have so many purses and shoes, most of which I don’t wear, so I can pack most away and only keep what I’ll need for the next month, and what I’ll pack in my suitcase to take to NY.  I will be packing away all my winter coats except one (I still have four!), hoping that by the time I arrive in NY I won’t even need that one.  I haven’t worn a winter coat since the winter of 2006/2007, except for the week I was in New York at Thanksgiving.  Well, it was nice while it lasted!

I feel like I got a good start on packing tonight.  I know I can pack my entire bedroom in one day, and there’s more stuff in there than in any other room.  I just don’t want to pack too soon, because I don’t want to be walking around amongst boxes.  So, I’ll do it a little at a time.  I won’t be having any more guests to the apartment, so I no longer care what it looks like, but I AM having my final inspection by the building manager in 2 weeks, and I just have to make sure he can see everything he needs to see!

I can’t believe it’s just a little over a month until I return to NY.  I know how fast it will fly and soon there will be many happy reunions – the happiest of which will be when I am in the arms of my darling Eric once again!

Don’t know why, but I woke up at 7:00am.  I never know why I wake up, because I’m such a light sleeper that it could be someone slamming the outer gate closed on their door, or a siren, a bird chirping, or just the guy downstairs hacking (yes, he still does that).  Maybe I had a dream and it was finished and I just woke up.  I never know.  I turned over and tried to go back to sleep, but I really had to go to the bathroom, so I got up and figured I’d go back to sleep right away.

Of course, that didn’t happen.  I made some calls and watched TV until it was 9:00am and time to call Eric.  After I hung up with Eric I watched TV a little longer and then DID go back to sleep.

When I woke up, it was almost noon!  I haven’t done that in a long time, but it felt really good.  I worked on the computer and then spoke to Jimmy.  He told me to watch “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” which Artie had also talked about.  I had started recording them, but only saw one episode, which I really liked.  I made my breakfast (cardboard cereal with chocolate soy milk) and watched two episodes in a row while packing during every commercial.

One challenge was creating a MAC VIVA GLAM commercial.  I love MAC cosmetics and the VIVA GLAM advertisements are always fierce.  Great divas such as Pamela Anderson, Fergie, Christina Aguilera and Blondie have done the ads.  Each girl had 10 minutes to film her ad.

The next episode had the girls divided into two groups.  They each had to lip sync to a DESTINY’S CHILD song.  It’s very entertaining – and you know how I love my reality!

I got a lot of organizing done in the bedroom.  I’m going through a lot of clothing, deciding what to take back and what to sell at the garage sale.  As I go through drawers I find things I haven’t worn the entire time I’m here in San Diego, so why should I bother bringing them back to NY with me?  Really?  You know what they always say about cleaning out your closets – if you haven’t worn it in a year – dump it!

This will definitely pare down my closet and make it easier for me to set up when I get back to NY.  I’ll have more to sell (or donate) at the garage sale, too.

I worked at a steady pace all day, only stopping for lunch (tuna and mac & cheese) and to occasionally check in on the computer.  I knew Elsa was picking me up at around 6:00pm to go to HAIKU for sushi (yum!) and I was really looking forward to it!

I spoke to Eric a few times.  I asked him if he wanted me to keep the cookie jars we have – Superman, Gossamer and Bugs Bunny – and he said definitely.  I also have a few Boop cookie jars, but I'll never give them up!  Eric plans to put shelves up in the kitchen or dining area of our new apartment (wherever that may be!) so we can display all our favorite collectibles.  He’s SO excited about it, which makes ME even MORE excited than I already am!!!

I finally got dressed for dinner with Elsa at 5:00pm and she picked me up at 6:00pm.  We went to Pacific Beach to HAIKU, my favorite Sushi place in San Diego.  We stuffed ourselves and both took home food.  We definitely ordered too much, and then because I mentioned it was Elsa’s birthday, they brought us TWO free desserts – a fried green tea ice cream with whipped cream and chocolate sauce (which Eric always loved) and fresh fruit in a martini glass.  They’re SO sweet there!  I wanted to say goodbye, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.  I have to go back again before I leave S.D.

We started with a spicy crunchy shrimp roll and a COMA, which is a deep-fried jalapeno with cream cheese and spicy tuna.  Then we had a lobster roll with crab meat and a spicy salmon roll, so we had shrimp, tuna, lobster, salmon and crab.  All so good!

We did a lot of catching up, since I haven’t seen Elsa in a few weeks.  She said things at work are SO slow.  She’s in HR and they’re not hiring at ALL, so her work is very slow.  She told me of the changes they’re making at the firm, trying to save money, but they haven’t started to lay anyone off yet – and they hope they never will.  It’s a great firm, which used to have tons of perks, but now they’re taking away some of the perks.  It’s not surprising, because they’re doing everything they can to cut corners without eliminating staff.

She also told me about the changes she and her husband Stephen are making to their backyard.  They’ve been working on it for months and I can’t wait to see the final result, because it sounds absolutely fabulous.  The great thing about having a house in San Diego is that you get to use your backyard 12 months of the year.  There’s really no time that it’s too cold to sit out during the day, and at night if you have a fire pit (which they do) and a heated Jacuzzi (which they do) you can enjoy it at night, too.  They’re so lucky!

When I got home I watched LIE TO ME – my favorite new drama – followed by AMERICAN IDOL.  I was happy that Jasmine went home.  She’s VERY young and really has a great voice, but she’s too green.  I felt bad when Jorge went home, because I thought he was so sweet – and very talented – but he was a little too corny and old-fashioned for the American crowd.  The good news is, I’m sure he’ll go back to Puerto Rico and be a big star there now.  He’s adorable.

Finally, I watched AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL.  Cycle 12 is proving to be VERY interesting.  In tonight’s episode, the girls got their makeovers, which always produces tears from at least one or two.  I’ve never understood why women (and I guess some men) get so freaked out about haircuts.  Don’t they know it ALWAYS grows back?  A haircut is one of the LEAST permanent changes you can make to yourself!

Did you know that they’re already casting for Cycle 13 and they’re looking for girls 5’-7” and UNDER?  The other day, when I was at KOBEY’S, I was looking at belts and there was this little teenaged girl there.  I mean she was little.  She looked about the same height as me, but she must have weighed 90 pounds – and you could tell it was natural.  Her measurements looked like they were 30-20-30.  I mean tiny!  I told her that ANTM is looking for little girls for cycle 13 and she got SO excited.  If I see her on the show next season I’ll scream!

Tomorrow I have a few more details to work out regarding my move, and then in the afternoon I’m driving to the office in Del Ray to pick up wardrobe boxes from one of the girls in HR.  I’ll probably get to see all the HR girls, which will be fun.  Then, I’m off to my regular Thursday appointment, after which I’ll be meeting Rosemary around the corner at BJ’s for dinner.  Rosemary is a good friend and I enjoy her company.

I have been thinking a lot about leaving San Diego.  I have made some good friends – Elsa, Rosemary, Tifney, and some friends – Marti (whom I met through Jimmy) and Stacie and the other girls from HR and around the firm, but there’s no one who I have bonded with like my girls in NY.  The only girl I’m really sorry to leave is my cousin, Ilene, who has been so good to me while I’ve been on the West Coast.  We have so much in common, and have so much fun together.  I really wish I could have made more trips to L.A., but it’s always hard to get away.

I’ve thought a lot about how much I love the weather here – and that I do.  I was so lucky to get to spend this winter here in San Diego.  This really is paradise and I still would recommend it to anyone who hates the cold.  San Diego is a great city with so much to offer.  I was able to find a great crafting community (the CRAFT MAFIA), fabulous antiquing (OCEAN BEACH), wonderful restaurants (too many to name), great theatre (LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE and SAN DIEGO MUSICAL THEATRE, amongst others), great concerts (COX ARENA, HUMPHREYS and PETCO PARK), fun neighborhoods (SOUTH PARK, PACIFIC BEACH and HILLCREST are three of my favorites) and amazing sightseeing (the zoo, the aquarium, and Coronado Island, just to name a few).

I will come back to San Diego as often as I can, but also look forward to visiting San Francisco (to see our Jimmy) and Los Angeles, to see our cousins and Joe and Miguel.  I’m not through with California, by any means, I’m just going back to where my heart really lies – I’m going to Eric.

I know for a fact that if I told Eric I couldn’t come back to New York he would come back here.  But I CAN go back to New York, and I think I’ll have a much easier time making it there than he would have making it here.  That’s what love and commitment is all about – it’s about doing what’s best for BOTH of you, compromising to stay together, clinging to each other through everything.  It has to be mutual.  You have to feel that your efforts are being met by the other person -- that they're trying as hard as you.

Eric is really working hard in New York and he’s doing great.  I can’t believe that in just four weeks I will be joining him and starting our new life together.  I know it won’t be perfect, and that there will be a lot of work ahead of us, and adjusting to all the change won’t be easy, but we will do it – together.

Tissues, chapstick and reading glasses.  Those are the three things I can’t live without.  I was thinking this morning that I have boxes of tissues all over the apartment.  I also have reading glasses all over the apartment.  Then, I realized the other thing I have a lot of is chapstick.  There’s one on my night table, one on my desk, and I ALWAYS have one in my purse.  I used to have one in the car, too, but I don’t anymore – its just always in whatever purse I’m carrying.

I ALWAYS need tissues, because of my allergies, and that’s why I need the chapstick, too.  Because I breathe through my mouth a lot, when my nose is stuffed, my lips are always dry.  I absolutely cannot sleep without putting on a nice coat of chapstick before I shut my eyes for the night.

As for reading glasses, I need them to read the dosage on a prescription bottle, to read directions on the back of a frozen entrée, and of course to read any mail, a book or magazine, or work on the computer.  There are many things I could easily live without, but tissues, chapstick and reading glasses are a MUST.  What can’t YOU live without?

Here’s something else I realized this morning, which I thought was kind of freaky.  I was thinking about the fact that I’ve been out of work for four months and that I’ll be arriving in NY on the 11th.

Then, I realized that when I was selling the house, I was out of work for four months and then we left on the 11th.  WEIRD!  My first blog entry was August 11th, 2007.  After giving it a lot of thought, I have decided to stop blogging on an every day basis when I move back to NY, because it really takes a lot of time out of my night (especially when there are photos involved).  I know I could just blog the next morning, while Eric’s at work, but I feel a change is necessary and I have made my decision.  I will only blog if something very important happens, or on a weekly basis with no exact schedule.  I will continue to write every day in WORD (which is how these blog entries start), but will not go through the process of uploading it to the internet every single night.  I have grown to love journaling, not only because it helps me keep track of my life, but because it’s nice to actually write about something when you think of it – something as silly as the three things I can’t live without!

Several people have told me I should write a book, and maybe there’s a book in here somewhere, but I am going to have so much to do when I get back to NY and I want to focus on what’s really important – Eric.  There were many nights in the RV when Eric went to sleep and I stayed up for 2 or 3 hours after that – writing my blog and uploading photos.  It really took a lot of time and effort, and I’m just not willing to give that on a day-to-day basis anymore.  I know my readership is small—mostly friends and family—and I know it is such a small thing, but I did want to explain myself, so that when the entries stop you are not surprised or alarmed.  All is well.  Better than ever, in fact.  I just think it’s time for a change, and I hope you all understand and agree!

So, now that I’ve rambled on and on, let me tell you a bit about my day.  I watched two more episodes of RuPAUL’S DRAG RACE this morning (at Jimmy’s insistence).  They were both really fun.  There are only two episodes left until the winner is announced and I’m completely hooked!

I left the house in the afternoon and drove through STARBUCKS and then went to ACE HARDWARE.  I needed LIQUID NAILS Mirror Adhesive, because I have two pieces of mirror that need to be re-glued to the frame around my grandmother’s mirror.  They fell off when being shipped to San Diego and we’re very lucky that they didn’t break.  They’ve been standing in a corner of the living room in the apartment here since we moved in and I thought it best to reglue them before I ship the mirror back.

After that, I went to TJ MAXX, but I didn’t buy anything.  Next, I drove to the office in Del Mar and the girls in HR helped me put 5 flattened wardrobe boxes in the rental PT.  I was so lucky my friend Karen had them, because she recently moved.  The moving company charges $12 for each one, so it saved me $60!  The girls each carried one and helped me to the car.  They are so sweet!

Next, I left the office and went to a shopping center near the office where I have my Thursday appointment.  I went into MARSHALL’S and WORLD MARKET, but – again – didn’t buy anything.  I just like looking!

I had my appointment and then drove 2 blocks to BJs to meet Rosemary for dinner.  As usual, we shared a salad and a deep dish pizza.  There was a lot left over, but Rosemary treated and I insisted she take it home so she could have lunch at work tomorrow.  We had a great time.  Rosemary and I haven’t known each other long, but we get along so well, and have really great conversations.  She’s so smart and I can learn a lot from her, but she makes me laugh, too.  It’s the best of both worlds!

When I got home I immediately set up one of the wardrobe boxes and started to pack.  Three of the boxes are tall – for coats, dresses, and other longer clothes, and two are shorter, for blouses, pants and short jackets.  I watched UGLY BETTY and pulled things from my closets and filled one short wardrobe box.  I’m trying to fill two boxes to go to the apartment and three to go into storage, hoping that I’ll be able to hold out with a limited wardrobe until we move into another apartment.

After UGLY BETTY (which was very entertaining) I watched HELL’S KITCHEN, which is always a lot of fun.  I love Gordon Ramsey!

I can’t believe tomorrow is Friday already.  I invited all the girls to go to THE CARRIAGE HOUSE LOUNGE in Clairemont with me and Marti to have some Karaoke Fun tomorrow night.  Marti had originally invited me, and I asked the HR girls and a few others at the firm, thinking the more the merrier, and that it would be great to have a “girls’ night out!”  I haven’t done karaoke in a LONG time (years, I think), so I have no idea what I’ll sing, but I’m excited!

I had a bad morning – allergies, headache, generally not feeling good.  I didn’t do much but lay in bed and doze until the afternoon.

I did have one great thing happen this morning: Joe called and said that not only were he and Miguel driving down from L.A. to be with me this weekend, but they wanted me to stay over in the hotel with them, so they got a room with a suite, so they can sleep in the bedroom and I can sleep on a pull-out couch in the living room.  I’m SO excited!  They’re so sweet!  He said Miguel wanted to have another sleep-over, since we had so much fun the last time I stayed over (when I went to my cousin Evan’s Bar Mitzvah!).

The other fabulous thing is that we’re staying downtown, which is someplace I really never go.  I’ve been to Little Italy a lot, and went to eat downtown and saw SPRING AWAKENING with Ilene when she was here, but other than that, I’ve very rarely been in the city.

We’re staying at the SHERATON SUITES AT SYMPHONY HALL!  I’m so excited.  They’re going to pick me up tomorrow afternoon, so I have to pack.  They’re going to laugh at me when I go out to the car with my little pink suitcase on wheels, but if I’m packing my pjs, toiletries, my pillow, and an outfit to change into for the evening, I’m going to need to bring that!

Anyway, at about 1:30pm I finally felt well enough to get out of bed and I decided to call the garage to see if the PT was ready.  They said it would be ready at 5:00pm and they would call me.
I then called Enterprise to say I would be returning the car this afternoon and they told me they close at 6:00pm.

I ran some errands, drove through Starbucks, did two loads of laundry, brought the rest of the wardrobe boxes up from the car, and packed a little bit more, waiting for my 5:00pm call.  It never came.  At 5:09pm I called them.  The girl who answered told me that they “couldn’t find the clips” for the car and to call back in 15 minutes.  I have NO idea what the clips are, but I was assuming it had something to do with attaching the bumper.

I called back in EXACTLY 15 minutes and she said the car was ready and I could pick it up.  It was now 5:25pm.  I told her that I was on my way, but that I had to return my rental first, which is right across the street.  At this point, she tells me that they’re only open until 6:00pm.

I explained to her that THEY told me the car would be ready at 5:00pm.  I was ready at 5:00pm.  It was THEIR fault it wasn’t ready at 5:00pm, and now she’s telling me there won’t be anyone there after 6:00pm?  I asked her if someone could wait until I got there.  She put me on hold, came back on and said “the supervisor” would wait 10 minutes.

By now, I’m in the car and leaving the parking lot of my apartment.  I was totally ready, and started walking while I was still on the phone with her, as soon as she said it was ready.  I didn’t want to get into an accident with the rental, but I was totally stressed, because I knew I had to go back to Enterprise, sign the car back in, and then get a ride across the street and do all the paperwork to pick up my car.  You might ask, "Why do you need a ride across the street?"  It's because it's Balboa Avenue and it's 3 lanes each way with no center divider, so it's REALLY tricky to cross.

Now I live just 10 minutes away, but it WAS rush hour, so there was a lot of traffic on Balboa.  By the time I got there, it was 5:45pm.  I decided to go into the office of the garage first, and tell them that someone BETTER be there when I get back.  I told them that if I returned the rental and came across the street and they had left I would have no way to get home (I could have called several people, but they didn’t know that).

I then drove across the street and returned the car and they brought me back over.  I was back before 6:00pm.  Stan was there to greet me.  I don’t know if he’s “the supervisor” the girl spoke of on the phone, but I told him that I was freaking out because I was afraid they’d close and I wouldn’t be able to get my car.  He told me I shouldn’t have worried, and that he would have waited, and I told him that the girl I spoke to said he would wait 10 minutes – and was very rude about it.  He could see I was “in a tizzy” and told me it was okay and he wanted to show me the car.  He said he would talk to the girl and I said, “Tell her instead of freaking the customers out, she should calm them down and assure them that everything would be okay.”  He agreed.

I explained to him that I have a LOT going on (which he already knew, because I told him I needed to get the car fixed before I move back to NY).  He showed me my beautiful new bumper and then I paid for my portion (I had already received the check from GMAC, so I owed the garage that amount).  It ended up costing over $1,200 and they paid me just over $600, so GMAC picked up the rest directly.  Very cool!

I also had to pay $75 for the rental for the week, which I will get back from AAA the insurance company of the car that hit me.  So, the whole thing ended up costing me $6 – for 3 gallons of gas to fill the car back up.  I only did 50 miles the whole week!

I’m so glad that’s over and I have one less thing to think about!  Now I just have to follow up with AAA to get my $75.

When I got back to the apartment I just had a few minutes to get myself together and then I went to pick up Marti, who lives just down Clairemont Drive (right near Starbucks – who could be so lucky?).  We went to Filippi’s on Clairemont Mesa for a great Italian dinner (it’s one of three family-owned restaurants and now I’ve been to all three.  There’s one in Pacific Beach, the original (in Little Italy), and this one).  I had angel hair pasta with shrimp and mushrooms and Marti had lasagna.

Then, at 9:00pm we went over to THE CARRIAGE HOUSE LOUNGE on Balboa and hung out there until about 12:30am.  I knew the Karaoke hostess (known as a KJ) from a focus group I did months ago, and she was working tonight!  I couldn't believe she remembered me, and she was really sweet.

There were a LOT of people there, and a LOT of singers, but Marti sang three songs and I got to sing two.  Marti has a fabulous voice.  Powerful, yet sweet and clear.  You know she’s got chops because she sang EVERGREEN, a Barbara Streisand song.  If you can Karaoke a Barbara Streisand song, you know you’ve “got it.”

I sang TO SIR WITH LOVE and then, a few hours later, I wanted to sing WIDE OPEN SPACES by the DIXIE CHICKS, but when the song started, I couldn’t remember how it went!  It was embarrassing!  Just because they give you the lyrics doesn’t mean you’re automatically going to know how the song goes!  I used to sing that song years ago, but I haven't sung it in a long time and I couldn't, for the life of me, remember the beginning!

Anyway, the KJ immediately put on my third choice was AT LAST by Etta James, which I’ve sung so many times I definitely can’t forget it.  By the time I sang this it was after 11:00pm.  Although there’s no smoking in the bar, the patio where there IS smoking is about 10 feet from where I was sitting and I was breathing in cigarette smoke all night, and talking above the loud music, so by the time I sang my second song my voice was cracking and didn’t sound too good.  Oh, well, at least I tried!

Everyone there was SO friendly, which is very unusual.  Usually Karaoke Bars are filled with "regulars" who are very click-y, but we made some friends, and we promised to go back in two Wednesdays (Marti will be out of town next Wednesday – in San Francisco).  Nicole, the KJ, told us that Wednesdays are very quiet and we can sing a lot more.  We were there for three hours and I only got called up twice.  That’s how busy it was!

Marti is a great girl and she's really fun to be with.  I feel bad that we didn't get to go out a lot more before I left, but we're going to make the best of the next four weeks!

When I got home I blogged and I’m going to bed soon, because I have a big weekend ahead of me.  I am SO excited to spend the weekend with Joe and Miguel.  We’re going to have so much fun!

I want to start this blog by wishing my Mom a happy birthday, since today is her 79th!  I don’t know how happy she would be if she knew I was telling her age, but if you saw her you’d know she’s FABULOUS at 79!

I spoke to Eric and he was excited that I was going to spend two days with our friends from Los Angeles. Eric loves Joe and Miguel and he told me to tell them he misses them.

Here's our darling Joe.

I spoke to my Mom, wishing her a wonderful birthday and a great weekend, and then got packing!  I just wore jeans and a t-shirt with a little jacket, but I brought along a casual knit dress that I thought I’d change into for dinner.  I also packed my leopard velour pants and a black t-shirt for Sunday.  I packed pajamas (leopard!!) and my pillow, and my toiletries and I was ready to go.

And here's our sweet Miguel!

I felt bad leaving Conrad for the night.  I always cover him at night, so he doesn’t feel a draft (drafts are bad for birds), but I didn’t want to leave him covered all day, so I just put the thermostat lower, so the heat wouldn’t come on as often and left him uncovered, so he could enjoy the sunshine during the day.

The boys called at around 1:30pm to say they had just gotten off I-5 and were driving up Clairemont Drive.  I left the apartment and crossed the street, so they wouldn’t have to make a U-turn.  We drove down Clairemont and got back on I-5 South on Balboa.  The hotel was just 7.36 miles from my apartment and we were there in a jiffy.  It’s actually above Symphony Hall (duh!  I guess that’s why it’s called the Sheraton Suites at Symphony Hall!).  You actually go to the 12th floor for registration and check-in, and then take different elevator banks to the rooms.  We were on the 17th floor.

Joe asked at check-in if we were in a suite (which was what he requested).  The girl said, “They’re ALL suites!” – hence the name (Sheraton Suites).  We got a lot of laughs out of that one.  We didn’t realize that the Baseball World Classic was in SD this weekend, so there were a lot of sportscasters, reporters, and baseball fans staying at the hotel.

The room was beautiful, but not really very fancy.  I can only say that because I was recently at the Grand Del Mar.  Believe me, it was a lot nicer than a lot of places I’ve stayed in my life, but when you have the Grand Del Mar in the back of your mind, it’s hard for ANY hotel to seem fancy!

Anyway, there was a blue velvet couch (that folded out to a queen bed), a comfy chair, a flat-screen TV, and a desk with a big window in MY room, and then – behind frosted glass French doors – there was a king-size bed with night tables, a dresser and another TV with another huge window.  Our view was of the Coronado bridge, which was really nice –especially at night.

There was a sink with a triple mirror and a closet and then a pocket door that led to the toilet, tub and shower.  There was a door from the bedroom and from the living room, so we could each access the bathroom without seeing each other.  It was really very nicely done.

We just put our stuff down, and then went back out to go to lunch.  Miguel had heard about a great place in Hillcrest which is really a wine bar, but they also serve food.  It’s called WINE STEALS ("relax, explore, enjoy").  It’s kind of set up like CENTRAL PERK on the sitcom FRIENDS, except instead of coffee there were wine bottles everywhere, but they had lots of couches, comfy chairs, regular tables and chairs, etc.  We sat in nice chairs around a big wooden wine cask with a glass top on it.  Joe and Miguel ordered a nice merlot, but I had a guava mimosa, which was fruity and delicious!

We also ordered an Artisan Cheese plate, which was a large platter of cold cuts, fruit, cheese and toasted bread, and some olives.  It was the perfect lunch.  We caught up on what’s going on with each of us, enjoyed the ambiance, our drinks, and our light lunch.

After lunch, we decided to go to the movies, in FASHION VALLEY MALL.  It was a short drive, but I got us lost!  I guess even after 1-1/2 years here I still don’t know my way around that well!

We managed to get in just as the movie was starting (I hate to miss the previews, but it was MY fault!).  We saw GRAN TORINO, which is another pretty depressing movie.  I usually never see anything but comedies, adventures and musicals, because usually I go to the movies so infrequently, but in the past month I saw THE READER, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD and now GRAN TORINO, which are all depressing.

Clint Eastwood is really great (as usual), but it’s kind of violent and stressful.  There WERE a lot of laughs in it, I guess because it’s such a tense situation and they have to have some stress release, so I did enjoy the comic relief – and really needed it!

After the movie, we drove back to Hillcrest, because the boys wanted Thai food and I told them that Eric and I had found a great place the first day we were in San Diego called TASTE OF THAI.  We had taken Ilene there when she was in town and she loved it!

Joe suggested that we open a Thai restaurant/bar and call it “THAI ONE ON.”  Get it?  I thought that was SO funny, but I am a huge fan of a play on words!

We started with an appetizer sampler, so we could try everything.  That included chicken and beef satae served with peanut sauce, goyoza, shrimp sa-rong (marinated shrimps wrapped with egg noodles, golden fried, served with palm sauce), and vegetarian spring rolls.

As an entree, I had the scallops in peanut sauce (I love that sauce).  Joe had steak in peanut sauce (he loves it, too!) and Miguel had chicken with broccoli in some sauce (I forget which!).

We were too stuffed for any dessert, so we walked around Hillcrest making our way back to the car.  We drove around a little, but we were all tired (Joe and Miguel had been up early and driven all the way from Los Angeles).  We headed back to the hotel and decided to go into the lounge to have dessert and coffee there.

We soon realized that there had been a symphony that night and we first saw lots of people all dressed up (the guys were mostly wearing tuxedos!) and then saw the actual musicians with their instruments!  I guess they either stop by for a drink, or they actually are staying at the hotel.  Anyway, it was pretty exciting!

Up until then, most of the other guests we had seen were obvious sports enthusiasts and they had either attended the game that day, or were attending the next day.  It was Cuba vs. Japan on Saturday.

Joe and I had decaf coffee.  Miguel had a beer and he and I shared a piece of my absolute favorite cake – red velvet.  It was SO good!  Then, we went upstairs and got ready for bed.  The boys opened the couch for me.  It was very cozy and I had my pillow, which is all I need for a good night’s sleep!  We were all fading fast, so they retired to their room and I watched some of SNL with Tracy Morgan hosting.

Unfortunately, there were a bunch of young people making a LOT of noise in the hallways.  They must have had 2 or 3 rooms and they kept going from room to room and were not only very loud in the hallways, but the doors would slam SO loudly.  I had to get up and call the front desk TWICE!  Miguel and Joe didn’t even know.  They were fast asleep.  I finally fell asleep around 1:00pm and slept pretty soundly.  It was a really fun day and I was looking forward to Sunday with the boys!

I always think I’m such a light sleeper, but both boys were showered and dressed when I finally woke up this morning!  I couldn’t believe I could sleep through that.

I got showered and dressed, too, and we went downstairs to check out.  We were going to try to find someplace to have breakfast, but I told them I didn’t know anyplace in the area.  I thought about asking at the front desk.

I told Joe to complain about the noise, because it was really ridiculous and I thought maybe they’d discount the room.  They did even better than that.  They discounted the $28 parking fee for the car (Miguel had searched for 10 minutes for a spot and finally gave up) and they gave us free vouchers for the breakfast buffet, which was really fantastic!

There was a wide selection of fresh fruit, French toast, waffles, scrambled eggs, potatoes, croissants, muffins, toast, and there was even poached salmon and lox!  Lox!  I was in heaven!  I had a croissant stuffed with lox, some scrambled eggs, a half piece of French toast, and some fruit.  I also had a big glass of orange juice and some coffee.

Joe and Miguel also thoroughly enjoyed the buffet.  They treated us like royalty and were so nice.  Joe left a big tip, and we were completely happy.  I thought it was very nice of them to give us the free buffet (which would have cost over $70 for the three of us) and to give us the free parking, too.  It worked out great!

Joe and Miguel had been telling me at breakfast that they were looking for fabric to make pillows, because the pillows they had on their couch were too small and weren’t working for them.  Miguel had spoken to a tailor who said he would make a pillow for $20 if Miguel supplied the fabric, but Miguel said the fabrics he saw were about $30 a yard – and they’d still have to buy the pillow forms, which are very expensive.

I told them about a place I love, HOME FABRICS, which is right in Clairemont Town Square, and we decided to drive over there to see what they could find.  They are having a BIG sale with up to 80% off and the fabrics are very reasonably priced.  They also sell ready-made pillows and pillow forms, so they could see what they had.

It worked out so great!  The boys found giant pillows (I think they’re 26x30) and the forms to go with them.  They were all buy one, get one for $1!  They have an espresso brown leather couch and chair and we found the ready-made pillow covers with a zipper and they were only $9.99 each!  There were different colors and patterns and they found four they really liked, but ended up buying six pillows and four forms, so they could change them if they wanted, for a little variety.

It ended up costing them a little over $80 for everything – and it would definitely have cost hundreds if they bought them at regular price, or purchased the fabric and then had someone make up the pillows.  They were so pleased!  There was a girl there who helped us out a lot and we had so much fun with her.  She was adorable.

Luckily, Starbucks was right next door, and the boys wanted to treat me to a nice iced mocha!  Every time I see Joe and Miguel they give me STARBUCKS cards, because they know that’s my passion.  This time was no different, but they wouldn’t let me use my card.  Joe had one and insisted on using his own.  We each got a coffee and sat outside in the sunshine in some comfy chairs around a table.

I love these guys so much.  They are so much fun to be with and such good company.  They also take such good care of me, which is so sweet.  They’re like the brothers I never had.  It’s the same when I’m with Jimmy, or Artie, and I feel so lucky to have these wonderful friends.  They’re all so special.

Joe and I have been friends since the '70s – we both went to Queens College, but Joe actually started right as I was leaving, so we weren’t really there at the same time.  We did do summer stock together at Queens College.  We both performed in THE RAINMAKER.  I played Lizzie, and he played my father.  It was a wonderful experience.  After that, we did LITTLE MARY SUNSHINE, a really fun musical, along with Artie and a bunch of other friends.  That was in a wonderful theatre – that’s still in existence – in Brooklyn Heights, called THE HEIGHTS PLAYERS.  They do great shows there and I was thrilled to be a part of LITTLE MARY SUNSHINE.

I also saw Joe perform in so many plays and musicals.  He has an amazing voice and my all-time favorite role of his was when he played Nicely-Nicely in GUYS & DOLLS.  That’s the character who sings “SIT DOWN YOU’RE ROCKIN’ THE BOAT” which is one of the biggest numbers in the show.  I've actually seen him in two different productions of GUYS & DOLLS.  Joe is an amazing talent and has gone very far since we performed together in college.

Since moving to Los Angeles 20 years ago, he has not only made appearances in practically every show on TV, but he has also been in movies and plays.  He also wrote an amazing play called BIG HAPPY FAMILY, which he directed both in Los Angeles and in New York.  I’m so proud of him, and I have so much respect for his talent and what he has accomplished.

I would have been SO sad to say goodbye to Joe and Miguel, except for the fact that I’ll be in Los Angeles for the weekend in 3 weeks!  I’m going to see my cousins, and Ilene and I are having a garage sale, but I’ll also be seeing Joe and Miguel again, which will be great!

When I got home I immediately got undressed, unpacked, called Eric to tell him what a great weekend I had, and then spent some quality time with Conrad.  He was absolutely fine, but I still felt guilty for leaving him alone overnight.  I worry about leaving him for 3 days when I go to L.A. in a few weeks, but I know he’ll be fine.

I watched TV for a while and ended up falling asleep and woke up again at 6:00pm.  I made myself something to eat (veggie burger and mac & cheese) and watched TV.  Eric had called me again while I was napping, and I don’t even really remember what I said to him, but I knew he was definitely asleep by 6:00pm (9:00pm his time), so I guess I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to talk to him again.

I watched EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, and a few episodes of this week’s marathon of ANTM.  It’s a cycle I haven’t seen, so I’m very excited!

I have absolutely NO plans for the entire week, and I plan to get a ton of packing done.  I’m going to set up all the wardrobe boxes in the living room, against one wall, and then start putting all the clothes in there except what I think I’ll need for the next 4 weeks.  I pretty much wear the same stuff over and over, so 90% of my closet can be packed up.  I just have to separate the stuff to go into storage from the stuff I want to bring to the apartment, so I have to pack each wardrobe carefully.

The apartment is really starting to look a little disheveled – like someone who is moving!  Only 26 more days!

I woke up this morning and opened one eye to look at the clock.  It was 8:55am, which made me laugh, because the alarm was going to go off in exactly 5 minutes so I could call Eric.  I held the phone in my hand until 9:00am, turned off the alarm, and called him.  We had a nice talk and then I started my day.

I had a packet of instant oatmeal for breakfast (which I still had from Robin’s visit last month).  I had recorded another marathon of ANTM which I had never seen, so I started watching it as I packed.  I ended up packing for about 5 hours and finally showered, dressed, and left the apartment at around 3:30pm.  I wanted to go to COSTCO because I was low on gas and wanted to pick up a few things, too.

I filled up my tank (11.036 gallons at $2.059 per gallon = $22.72) and then parked and went inside.  I got a double box of CHEERIOS, which is just $1 more than a single box of my SPECIAL K CHOCOLATELY DELIGHT at KEIL’S.  I like the Special K better, but I figure the double box will last me the month and with my chocolate soy milk (of which I still have a lot) it will taste great anyway.  I also bought a package of sushi, which I love because I got 2 surimi rolls for just $5.69.  Since it was so late, there was nobody giving free samples, but I had just eaten lunch before I left anyway, so it was no big deal.

I bought a big box of MINUTE RICE.  That used to be a staple for me when I was a “starving actress” back in the 70s/80s.  I would mix it with tomato sauce and called it “Spanish Rice,” but it was really just like pasta, but rice instead.  It’s so easy and fast to make and so cheap.  It’s as cheap and economical as the MAC & CHEESE.  I also bought three bottles (it came in a three-pack) of pasta sauce, so I’d be able to have my old stand-by – rice and sauce!

I bought two boxes of SHRIMP WONTON SOUP, for which I had a "$2.25 off each" coupon.  They were originally $9.99, so I spent $15.50 for 12 servings of soup!  As you can see, I’m really trying to be economical.

I have so little food left in the apartment, but I don’t really want to start stocking up again.  I’m actually trying to eat every last thing in the apartment, so I’m just buying what I know I can finish in the next month.  Right now, the only food left in the entire apartment (other than what I purchased today) is a few packets of MAC & CHEESE, some frozen veggie burgers, one can of tuna, and some condiments!

When I got to the register at COSTCO, the guy told me that my card had expired and he couldn’t ring me up without paying the $50 to renew my membership for another year.  I quickly realized that it was ridiculous to pay $50 when I’m leaving in a month, so I asked if I could just renew it next time I came.  I didn’t explain my reason, but I figured it would be no big deal.

He told me he had to ask a manager and called this guy over.  The guy said he couldn’t do it.  Instead of telling the truth, because I was afraid he wouldn’t care that I was moving, I just said that I didn’t have enough money in my bank account for the extra $50 (I have to use a debit card at COSTCO, because they only take AMERICAN EXPRESS and I don’t use that card).

He was REALLY nasty and said I couldn’t buy anything without paying the $50.  I told him that I really needed this food and he smirked at me and said, “Sorry, it’s not happening unless you renew.”  He said that I couldn’t purchase the food “unless I was a member.”  I said, “I AM a member!”  He said, “Your membership expired on February 28th.”  So, I said, “So, for TWO WEEKS you’re not going to let me buy a few items and then I’ll pay the $50 when I come back next time?”  He said “no” and he was smirking so meanly that I said, “I’d like to slap that smile right off your face.  I want to see your supervisor right now, so why don’t you go and get him – or her – right now."

He said he would and walked away.  Meanwhile, the whole time this was happening, the guy who worked the register was just standing there, a line was forming behind me, and his “assistant” (a young girl who stacks the groceries in the cart) was just standing there, too.  The guy who worked the register started telling the people behind me to go to another register.  A few minutes later a woman came out.  I couldn’t believe his supervisor WAS a woman!  She came over to me and I decided I was going to “lay it on thick” and get this guy in trouble.

I started to tell her that it was humiliating enough to not be able to afford to pay the $50 renewal fee, but he was so mean to me and seemed to get great pleasure in refusing to let me buy the few simple groceries I needed to “feed my family.”  She could see I was buying Cheerios, Minute Rice, tomato sauce, soup, and sushi, and had only spent about $40.  I told her I just didn’t have the $50 in my bank account for the renewal.  I started to cry – not because I’m really in that dire a situation, but because I COULD cry (hey, I'm an actress!) and I wanted her to feel bad for me and let me buy the groceries -- and I also wanted that guy to get in trouble.

She explained to me that I must have received the renewal form 2 months ago, and that they’re really not allowed to let me purchase things without renewing, but she felt so bad about the way I was treated by this idiot that she pulled some strings (I don’t know what she told the guy behind the register, but he was able to put the sale through without my card).  I thanked her profusely, wiped away my tears and paid for my groceries.  I didn’t feel guilty about “laying it on so thick” because there are a lot of people who COULD be in my situation and that guy should be reprimanded and taught that he can’t treat people like that.

I explained to her that if he had felt bad about it – if he had said something like, “I’d really like to help you, and I understand your situation, but I simply can’t do anything about it,” I probably wouldn’t have said anything, but it was how condescending he was, how much pleasure he was getting from saying no to me, and how he was smirking.  I just couldn’t stand the way he was smirking!

So, I got my way, and got my groceries without renewing, and if that episode was filmed I'd probably get some kind of an award, too! 

I’m never going back, not because I’m so mad or anything, but because I definitely won’t be able to get away with that again!  I’m leaving in 26 days anyway, so I’ll just have to purchase the rest of my groceries at KEIL’S.

After that I drove through STARBUCKS and used the card Miguel and Joe gave me.  My darling friends!  Joe and Miguel also gave me two free passes for the movies.  They had passes for GRAN TORINO, too.  I don’t know where they got them from, but they were so sweet to give me two to use with a friend here, or go twice by myself!

When I got back to the apartment, I put everything away, picked up my mail, and then started packing again!  I got three wardrobe boxes packed for storage.  Tomorrow I will pack the other two wardrobe boxes with clothes I’ll bring to the apartment.  It’s going very well and my closet and the shelves in the bedroom are looking VERY empty!

I finished the ANTM Marathon, then watched MEDIUM.  Tomorrow I’ll watch DANCING WITH THE STARS and HEROES, which I recorded tonight, and do some more packing.  I feel like I’m accomplishing a lot!

Top ‘o the mornin’ to ya!  Hope you all had a fun and festive St. Patrick’s Day!  I completely forgot it even WAS St. Patrick’s Day until I was driving to yoga at 6:30pm!

I spent the entire day in the apartment – packing, packing, packing.  I now have most of my clothes, shoes and purses packed and the only stuff left is what I wear all the time and will be packing in the suitcases to take back with me.

Here's a picture of my new suitcase.  Interesting pattern, eh?  I figure it will be easy to spot on the carousel at JFK!

I woke up right before the alarm again – 8:58am this time.  I actually went to bed a little earlier last night, too (midnight), so I got around 9 hours of sleep.  That’s a lot!

I haven’t been weighing myself every day for a while – especially since the numbers kept going up and up, but I weighed myself this morning and I actually lost a pound!  I guess it’s because I’ve been doing a lot around the apartment.  I’m looking forward to more of THAT!  I hope to lose a few pounds before I go back to NY, because right now I’m what I like to call a “fattie boombalattie,” which means that a lot of my clothes don’t fit and I hate looking at myself naked in the mirror!

I took a nap in the afternoon, but didn’t sleep much because The Little Drummer Boy was playing outside and he’s SO loud.  It was still nice to relax and feel the breeze blow through the window.
When I got to yoga I found out that my instructor had just gotten back from India, but still wasn’t teaching, so I didn’t miss her last week!  This week there was a lovely young man teaching and I had to sit next to him, because there were over 20 people in the class and it was SO crowded.  I was late (which is very unusual for me – I’m usually one of the first), so he made room next to him.  It was such a great class and I felt sooooooooooooo serene when I got home from Serenity Yoga!

I made a bowl of my shrimp wonton soup, which is SO easy and delicious!  It comes in a black bowl with a lid.  You just add water and microwave for 4 minutes!  SO yummy – and economical, too!

I watched THE BIGGEST LOSER.  I can only DVR 2 shows at a time, and you can’t watch a third, so I couldn’t record AMERICAN IDOL.  The truth is, they show a clip from tonight’s performance tomorrow night, at the elimination, and I’m not that into country and tonight was country music, so I figured I’d watch TBL and DWTS instead.  Why do they put THREE of my shows on at the same time on the same night?  Why, oh why?

Tomorrow, I will pack my last wardrobe (I have 5 all together) and then I’ll start on my regular boxes.  I have about 10 copy paper boxes, with lids that sit on top.  I also have about a dozen file boxes with the lids that flip open.  Those are great for packing up my desk, the unbreakables in the kitchen, the bathroom, and miscellaneous stuff.  I still need to get a few big boxes for larger-sized items, like my life-size dress form (it’s not a mannequin), and our two wooden breakfast trays (we like to eat in bed a lot!).

I think I’ll go to KEIL’S tomorrow and ask around for some big over-sized boxes.  Maybe I can try RITE-AID, too!  I gotta tell you, I’m really enjoying the packing.  It feels good to get things done, and see progress and I’ve always been organized, so it’s going pretty smoothly.  So far, so good!  Just 24 days left!

I’ve watched Eric spackle a hundred times – really, no exaggeration – but I never tried it myself – until today, that is!

I went to bed late last night – almost 3:00am, and woke up due to noise downstairs at just 7:30am.  I worked on the computer and did stuff around the apartment until 9:00am.  I spoke to Eric, then started packing.

I finished up the 5th of the wardrobe boxes which I had gotten from my friend, Karen, in HR.  There were 3 tall ones and 2 short ones.  The two short and one tall are filled with clothes to go into storage.  The other two tall will go to the apartment and have my spring/summer clothes, purses and shoes.

Once that was done, I got dressed and ran some errands.  I had to send a fax at the UPS store.  I needed to send proof of my $75 ENTERPRISE bill to AAA, so they can reimburse me.  Then I had to go to Starbucks and the post office.  Okay, I didn’t HAVE to go to Starbucks – I just wanted to!

When I got back, I borrowed a Philips head screw driver from the building manager and started taking the shelves down in the master bedroom.  There are 7.  Each one is held up by two brackets and each bracket has two screws into the wall and one into the shelf.  I took down three shelves.  It’s not that hard, because the screws aren’t too tight, but they left BIG holes in the wall.  Fortunately, Eric left me some spackle and a spackle knife and I started filling in the holes.  I had watched Eric do it so many times I knew exactly what to do.  It was pretty easy, too!

Then, I started taking all the pictures off the walls.  There are still four shelves hanging and they all have tins on them (I removed the empty shelves – which had my purses on them).  I will try to take down all the tins, pack them, and then take down the rest of the shelves tomorrow.

Lastly, I took down the three pin boards I had and removed all the pins, packing them away.  I still don’t know the best way to get them to NY.  Is it safest to ship them via UPS, Fed Ex or post office?  If I do, then I need to insure the items, and I don’t have receipts for all the jewelry, so what good is it if they lose it?  Don’t you need proof of purchase?

Should I carry them onto the plane with me in my little pink suitcase?  I worry about them being metal and maybe having to take them out at the security gate.  What will they think?  Will they think I’m a jewelry smuggler and interrogate me?  I’ve never been strip-searched and I don’t want to start now!

Or, should I just put them in a box and ship them with the rest of my stuff?  It’s really the easiest way to go, and I’d just have to keep my fingers crossed that they don’t lose any of my boxes and, if they do, that it’s not THAT box.  It’s SO hard to know the right course of action.  Any suggestions?

Anyway, now the walls of my bedroom are pretty empty.  I’ve taken down my three pin boards, all the artwork, and three of the seven shelves.  It’s weird to lie in bed and look around at the emptiness, when I’m used to having so much to look at.  I know it’s just for three more weeks, and I guess the entire apartment is going to look emptier and emptier as the days go by.

Tonight I watched LIE TO ME, then the AMERICAN IDOL results show (I was happy with who went home), then CSI: NY, because Pete Wentz and Ashley Simpson-Wentz were guest stars, but they had really tiny parts.  Then, I watched AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL (the new cycle that’s on now).   Good TV on Wednesday nights!

Tomorrow I will just continue to pack.  I was thinking today as I was driving back from the post office that, even though I'm here for three more weeks, in my head and in my heart I'm already gone.  I thought it sounded familiar as I was saying it to myself.  Maybe it's a line from a book, a movie, a TV show or a play.  I don't know, but it sounded familiar!

I just feel like I’ve already separated myself from the people here, and my day-to-day existence now is just working towards getting back to NY.  Maybe I’m doing it to protect myself, because I know I’m going, so I’m kind of shutting myself off.  I don’t know.  I just know I feel kind of numb to everything here and I can’t wait to get home and start living again!

I woke up at the alarm this morning and called Eric.  It’s a good thing, too, because he didn’t even know it was lunch and he would have worked right through it!  After we hung up I just relaxed in bed and watched some TV.  I know I’ve mentioned this show – Peter Perfect – a reality show starring Beverly Hills hair dresser and fabulous diva Peter Ishkhans.

I've got a BIG crush on this guy -- Peter Ishkhans:

I am so in love with him that if I wasn’t happily married and he wasn’t a gay flame, I might just have to drive to Beverly Hills and propose!  He is the sweetest, cutest, funniest, most full-of-energy, inspirational person I have ever seen on TV!  And you all know how much TV I watch!
 
There must have been a marathon of PETER PERFECT on the STYLE network and I recorded about 5 episodes I had never seen.  As I’ve mentioned before, he goes around (mostly California) helping out businesses that are failing for one reason or another.  He’s done make-overs on hair salons, coffee houses, bridal boutiques, candy shops, and clothing stores, amongst many others.

He’s so sweet.  Every single person he helps falls madly in love with him.  You’ve never seen so much hugging going on by any host.  And you can see he means it.  He’s got this fabulous English accent, so when he complains about the mess, he calls it “clu-a” (that’s “clutter” for the rest of us!).  He’s like a cross between Peter Pan and Prince.

I wish I knew he was in his shop every day, because I would go there in a few weeks when I visit L.A. and meet him, but I’m sure he’s not working day-to-day in the salon anymore, since he’s such a big TV star!

Anyway, back to reality -- I mean REAL reality, not reality TV!  I didn’t do any packing today, but I took all the tins off all the high shelves in the bedroom, vacuumed and wiped them down and stacked them for packing in the dining area.  I then took more shelves down, but there are four I can’t manage, so I’m going to have to get help.

At this point, the living room and dining room is so packed with stuff that needs to be packed.  It’s a disaster, but I’ve got a path to the kitchen and to the computer and that’s really all I need!

I was freaking Conrad out so much that I had to move him to the living room for a while, because he doesn’t like it when I go on the step stool.  Go figure!

In the afternoon I went out and went to different stores, trying to get big boxes.  I have plenty of small boxes, but I do have a lot of over-sized items.  I tried KEIL’S, but they just gave me two small boxes and I didn’t want to complain, so I took them.  I tried RITE-AID, but they told me they break them down immediately.   Next, I went into STARBUCKS, instead of driving through.

They were all in a tizzy, because they’re not used to seeing my whole body .  They usually just see me from the waist up in the car!  They didn’t have any big boxes, but promised to save some for me and I have to go tomorrow morning to pick them up.

Next, I drove to the shopping center near my 5:15pm appointment in La Jolla.  I needed to go to STAPLES to get more packing tape, and I was also able to get two big boxes.  Woo hoo!  The woman who works there is SO nice.  They had two big boxes in the front of the store and I asked her if she had more like that.  She said no, but then asked one of the workers to empty the boxes (there was 8 plastic storage crates in each one, so it was very fast).  I bought the packing tape and took the two big boxes and was on my way.

After my appointment I headed home and brought the four boxes I got (two big and two small) up to the apartment.   I worked on the computer, watched more PETER PERFECT and DIVINE DESIGN and had dinner (MAC & CHEESE).  I have to go to KEIL’S tomorrow and buy some salad stuff, because I’ve been living on carbs for the past week and although it tastes great, it’s NOT good for “my figgur” (as Peter would say!).

I was about to watch UGLY BETTY at 9:00pm, but my eyes were closing, so I decided to go to sleep.  I knew when I turned out the light that it wasn’t for the night.  I just can’t go to sleep early and sleep through the night.  It’s impossible.  Just as I thought, I woke up at 11:08pm.  I turned over and tried to go back to sleep, but my body is very used to 2-hour naps, so it wasn’t happening.

I hadn’t yet blogged, so I got up, worked on the computer, blogged, and now I’ll go back into bed and watch TV until 2:00am – as I usually do.  I thought maybe – just maybe – because I’ve been working so hard all day – packing, spackling, unscrewing shelves, up and down the step stool, arranging, organizing, etc., that I would be tired enough to sleep through the night, but it just isn’t the way my body works!

I hope I can fall back to sleep at a decent time tonight, because I’m having lunch with Tifney tomorrow and I have to pick her up at 11:30am!

I woke up at 9:00am, called Eric, and then got right into the shower, because I had to run a few errands before I picked up Tifney for lunch at 11:30am.  I went to Starbucks, because one of the guys there had told me that they would save me some big boxes, but when I went in there today, they told me they didn’t have any.

I decided to head to Del Mar and go to one of the shopping centers right by the office.  I went into VONS, which is a big supermarket chain.  Unfortunately, they didn’t have any big boxes, but they did give me two big “TROUT Washington Apples from Lake Chelan.”  Can someone PLEASE explain to me why apples would be called TROUT?  And the logo is a big fish!  Weird!

Anyway, after that I went to pick up Tifney and she treated me to lunch at Soup Plantation.  We each had a salad from the salad bar, and then a cup of soup (I had tomato; she had chicken noodle).  I also had a little four cheese pasta and some Asiago bread.  I really went crazy with the carbs today!

For dessert they had sugar free chocolate mousse, which was really delicious.  Wish I had a big bowl right now, as I’m typing this!

It was great to see Tifney.  She always has a lot of great stories to tell and she’s really funny.  After I dropped Tif back at work I drove through Starbucks (I didn’t get coffee last time – I only went in for boxes) and then I came home and brought my two TROUT boxes upstairs.

I proceeded to pack them along with four other small boxes – six in all – filled with tins and craft stuff.  All of them will be put into storage, because I don’t anticipate doing any crafting for a while when I get back.

I still have about 2 more boxes worth of tins and jewelry mosaics material and then I’ll have 3 or 4 boxes at least of my decoupage papers.  I have a ridiculous amount of arts and crafts supplies and I need every single piece!

In the late afternoon I wanted to relax and watch some TV, but I really had nothing interesting to watch, so I turned to PAY-PER-VIEW to see if there was a comedy I hadn’t yet seen.  Instead, I saw that PRIDE AND GLORY was on.  This was the good cop/bad cop film starring Colin Farrell, Ed Norton and Jon Voight that was filmed in NY – partly on Leggett Place in Whitestone, right across the street from our house.

They filmed on Leggett Place for about 2 weeks.  It was supposed to be the block where Colin Farrell’s character lived with his wife, played by Lake Bell.  They did a lot of interior shots, a few backyard scenes, and a lot of scenes in the front of house, including a big fight at nigjt between Ed and Colin.

I would say that the two weeks of filming turned into two minutes of actual screen time on Leggett Place.  I never saw my house for one second, and I know there’s a lot of film left on the cutting room floor, because they didn’t do one scene in the front of the house.  There was one scene in the backyard where I could clearly see Kaja’s house, and then one scene where I could clearly see Ruby’s house (which was next door to ours), but our house – nowhere!

The movie was very hard hitting, violent, and depressing.  I’ve seen a lot of those recently!   Colin was a bad cop married to Ed Norton’s sister.  He and his brother were also cops, as well as their father, Jon Voight.  It’s all about how cops protect each other and don’t tell on each other, even when they are very bad – and Colin Farrell is a VERY bad cop!

This movie was only in the theatre for about a week, and now it’s out on DVD and on PAY-PER-VIEW.  If you like violent cop films, I suggest you rent it!

I was exhausted from all the packing I did today, and I did the exact same thing I did last night.  I fell asleep at 9:00pm and woke up at 11:00pm!  I cannot believe how completely insane my sleeping habits have become.  If I had a job, I’d be in big trouble.  I told Eric that when I get back to NY I’ll be DVRing all my TV shows and going to bed at 9:00pm with him every night.  I want to get back into a normal sleeping routine.  I’ve never been able to go to bed early and wake up early, but I’m sure going to try, because I think it’s important that I don’t screw up Eric’s schedule, since he’s the one that’s working!

Tomorrow I intend to go to the Arts & Crafts show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.  It’s the same location where I attended the Antiques and Collectibles show last month.  It should be really fun!
Then, I’m meeting Rosemary for dinner and a movie.  So, I don’t expect to get much packing done tomorrow.  That’s okay, I’ve already made quite a dent and I deserve a day off!

I want to close this entry by saying that I have not been this happy in a long time.  I'm feeling so light-hearted, so excited about my imminent return to NY, so overjoyed about my reunion with Eric in just 3 weeks.  Eric and I have been through a lot in the last year, but I think we would both say it has been well worth it.  I cannot wait to come back to NY, get settled with Eric, and then celebrate with all my friends who have been waiting so patiently for my return.  I love you all!

Remember the other day I told you that I had a big crush on Peter Ishkhans, the star of the reality show PETER PERFECT?  Well, when I was researching his website, to get that lovely picture of him for my blog, I saw that you could send him an email, so I did.  I cannot believe I got a response from him, which I thought I’d share with you all.  I’m so starstruck and I truly wish I could meet this man before I leave California.  It’s my last chance!

Message: Dear Peter, if I wasn't a happily married 51-year-old woman, I would drive straight to Beverly Hills and get down on one knee and ask you for your hand.  You are the cutest, sweetest,  dearest man and I love watching every episode of your show.  You really care about the people you help and your enthusiasm is unmatched.  You always have great ideas for change and the way you stress image is so important.  I'm sure you've helped so many business owners just by watching your show.  I can't wait to see more!

hi. that makes me feel good
love peter

How cute is that?  I never dreamed he would take the time to respond!

So, I did more packing today and I wanted to get my bicycle packed.  Eric wanted to pack up my bicycle before he left in September, but I told him I wanted to ride the bicycle and I’m glad he didn’t pack it, because I actually did ride it!  I know I won’t be riding in the next 3 weeks, so I decided to get that done today.  I took off the front tire (I’m getting good at that), but then Eric told me that I’d also have to take the handlebars off, as well as the seat, in order for it to fit in the box.

It was all too complicated for me, so I brought the bicycle to the shop I’ve been using.  Unfortunately, they didn’t have a box, so I told the guy that tomorrow I’d bring the one I was going to use, which Eric had left for just that purpose.

They’re charging me $50, which I thought was ridiculous, but Eric said that’s how much they’d charge at Jerry’s shop and it’s the right price.  He said it’s pretty complicated to take the bike apart and pack it well, so that it survives shipment.  The good news is that it’s not going on a plane, but will simply go along with all my other stuff on the truck to New York.

After that, I went to VONS, a liquor store, a pool supply store and ALBERTSONS looking for boxes.  No luck.  It seems that people break apart the boxes as they unpack whatever’s in them, so they’re all ripped up.

Next, I decided to go to SUBWAY for a $5 foot long, which I planned to eat for dinner (since it was already after 4:00pm).  When I walked into the store there were about 4 people in there already.  The girl behind the counter looked at me and said, “We have no bread.”  All I could say was, “Heh?”  That made her laugh and she explained that they were SO busy (because of the $5 foot long sale) that they actually ran out of bread, which they bake fresh in the store.  She told me if I came back in 15 minutes I could have my sandwich on freshly-baked bread, which sounded REALLY good to me!

I walked down the strip to the liquor store in the same shopping center (which is where RITE-AID and KEIL’S is also located).  I was able to get 5 small boxes, which were flattened, so they were easy to carry.  It was only about 10 minutes later that I went back in.  The bread was still baking (you could actually see it in the oven), but I told them that I wanted to be sure if there was a crowd that I got one from the next batch.

Fortunately, there was no one else in the shop, so I guess they either left or got a pita or wrap (which they had ready).  One of the guys behind the counter went outside with a sandwich and ate at the outdoor table, so I guess he was on a break.  The other guy went outside and washed the windows with window cleaner and a rag, so I was alone in the shop with the girl.  We started talking.  I asked her if the $5 sale was a big pain, because obviously they get paid the same amount if they have 50 or 500 customers.  She said it had been SO busy, but that she really didn’t mind, except that running out of bread was pretty bad.

I told her I completely understood how it could happen and I was looking forward to my sandwich on freshly-baked bread.  When it was ready, I got tuna with swiss, lettuce, avocado, tomato, and a little oil and vinegar.  When she rang me up she said, “You’ve been so nice and patient, and I feel bad that you had to come back, so I’m giving you 40% off.”  I wasn’t even sure what she had said, so I just said, “Thanks!”

The total came to $2 and change, and she asked me if I wanted chips or a drink.  I told her I’d get chips and then the total was still less than $3.  I don’t know how much she charged me for the chips, but I gave her $4 and told her to keep the change, so I tipped her a little more than a dollar.  She thanked me profusely and then handed me a cup.  I said, “I didn’t pay for a drink.”  She said, “Do you want one?”  I guess she was going to give me a free drink, too, but I had my Starbucks iced decaf non-fat mocha in the car, so I declined, but thanked HER profusely.  She just said that people like me make her job so much better.  She said that some people freak out when things like this happen.  It just doesn’t make sense, because obviously they’re not doing it on purpose.  Things just happen!  That’s life!

It really made my day that I not only got my foot long and a bag of chips for $4, but that someone was so nice to me, just for being nice to them.  I never go to Subway, but I think I’m going to go next Saturday, just to get another $5 foot long and see my new friend again!

When I got back I put my foot long in the fridge and got back to packing.  I packed a tall box with shoes in shoe boxes, which are the shoes I wear a lot and they’ll go into the apartment and not into storage.

Then, I took more pictures, picture hooks, and shelves off the wall.  The apartment is starting to look very barren, as far as decorating is concerned, but very cluttered as far as floor space is concerned.  I’ll have to take a picture, so you can see!

I got my unemployment check and, for the second week in a row, there has been extra money in there, which they explain is a “federal stimulus payment.”  I have no idea what exactly that means, but – hey – it’s making me very happy!

I was supposed to go to dinner and a movie with Rosemary tonight, so I decided to put off the arts and crafts show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds until tomorrow.  Unfortunately, in the afternoon before I went out Rosemary called to change it to tomorrow, so now if I DO go to the craft show, it will be in the morning, and then we’re having an early dinner and seeing SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE at 4:50pm in the Clairemont Town Square.  Joe gave me two free passes, so it won’t cost us anything.  That’s always nice!

At about 7:00pm I had half of my foot long.  I toasted in in the toaster oven and it was DE-LICIOUS!  Tonight I just watched a lot of decorating shows while I organized and packed.  I usually stop around 9:00pm, because I don’t want to make too much noise.  I’m going to try to get to bed at a decent hour (ha!), so I can wake up early tomorrow, go to the craft show and be back before 3:00pm when Rosemary is picking me up.  She’s also bringing me more boxes, which is great because I’m really going to need them!

When Rosemary called yesterday to move our dinner and movie date to this afternoon, she said it was supposed to rain and she thought that was a great way to spend a rainy afternoon.

So, because I wanted to go to the arts and crafts fair this morning, before she picked me up at 3:00pm, I decided that going to bed early was necessary.  I started to feel tired at around 8:00pm, but I knew that if I went to bed that early I’d only wake up later.  I finally shut off the TV at 10:00pm and expected to sleep through the night.  No such luck!

I woke up at midnight (my usual 2 hours after falling asleep).  I got up, made myself some sugar-free hot cocoa I had left in the cabinet and took two TYLENOL PMs.  I figured even though it was midnight I’d still get up at a decent hour.

Cut to my phone ringing at 11:00am and waking me up.  It was Eric.  He laughed when he realized I was still sleeping, but I explained the situation.  I’m so frustrated by my messed up sleeping habits, but he assured me that when I get back to NY I’ll get back into a normal sleeping pattern.  I sure hope so!

Anyway, I got up and started doing stuff around the apartment and then got showered and dressed to bring the bicycle box to the bike store.  They told me they opened at 1:00pm.  I went at 1:30pm and stopped at Starbucks on the way there.  Then, I came right home and started taking all the stuff off the shelves in the dining area and taking down the shelves.  I was able to get everything down except one screw on one bracket.

I proceeded to lay down drop cloths and spackle all the holes (except the one where I can’t get the screw out of the bracket!).  I still have four shelves in the bedroom.  Two are too high for me to reach (they’re above the closet doors and I only have a step stool) and the other two I just couldn’t get the screws unscrewed!  I guess I’ll ask Bret to help me, but I hate to ask him for anything, because he’s not very enthusiastic about it, even though I’ve given him $50 both Christmases!

I took some pictures this afternoon of the state of the apartment, which – as you can clearly see – is a mess!  I don’t know what’s going to happen when I finally get everything in boxes.  I’m going to be living in a warehouse!  Bret is doing his “final inspection” next week, but he’s certainly not going to be able to get a good look at the carpets or walls the way everything is covered up.  Not that there’s anything to hide.  This place is – if anything – in better shape than the day we moved in.  That’s thanks to our meticulous nature and our slightly obsessive cleanliness!

Anyway, when I left the apartment to bring the bicycle box to the bike shop, it was overcast and you could see that it had rained, but it wasn’t raining anymore.  It was windy and chilly.  As I drove up to the window at Starbucks to collect my venti decaf nonfat mocha, the sun broke through.  By the time I drove home from the bike shop the sun was out, even though it was still a little chilly and windy.  I realized that life in San Diego is different from anyplace else I’ve ever known (not that I’ve known that many places), because the sun ALWAYS breaks through.  The only time it has been completely overcast is when it rains all day, which has only happened once or twice in over a year.

The truth is, it’s nice to have a gloomy day, an overcast day, a day with no sun shining down on you, because then when the sun comes out it’s just that much sweeter.  That’s the secret to life, too.  There are always going to be bad days, problems to overcome, obstacles, or just dreary days with no sun.  When you get through them, and things get better, you realize how sweet life can be.  You appreciate everything more, because you know it can be different.  You also know you have survived something you might have been afraid to face.  My life now seems so much sweeter, because I have gone through such a hard year, because I have faced so many fears, obstacles, and because I survived – and feel stronger and better than ever.

While I am typing this (and while I was unscrewing and spackling), I listened to A CHORUS LINE.  I am excited about the documentary coming out on April 17th entitled EVERY LITTLE STEP.  I had not even heard about it until Jimmy sent me the information.  If you'd like to watch the trailer for this new film, click here: http://www.sonyclassics.com/everylittlestep/

When I watched the trailer for the documentary, I got chills.  It's like that music is in my DNA.  I first saw A CHORUS LINE when I was in high school and listened to the album (yes, album!) all the time.  Then, I saw it several times with college friends.  It was definitely a show that everyone in the theatre related to.  It’s everyone’s story, in one way or another.

Here's the dining room wall with all the shelves down and all the hole spackled, except for the one screw still holding up the bracket!

I saw the original production for the last time in the early ‘80s with Eric before it closed.  Then, last year I saw the revival with my friend Stephen.  It always thrills, and breaks your heart.  It is one of the scores that definitely helped shape my life.

Rosemary picked me up at 3:00pm and we drove to the Clairemont Square Shopping Center and had an early dinner at Chili’s.  We started with an appetizer of Spinach and Artichoke Dip and we each had a salad with grilled shrimp.  It was very satisfying.

Next we drove over to the other side of the shopping center and I used the passes Joe and Miguel had given me to get us into the movies for free!  I was wishing I had not eaten so much after a few minutes of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.  Although it is a fabulous movie, it is another stressful story (just like so many I have seen recently) and I was getting upset from the story.

It was a great film, so deserving of all the awards it won, and I’m sure I will be thinking about it for days to come.  After the movie, Rosemary drove me home and helped me bring up a bunch of boxes she had brought for me.  She has already given me about a dozen great file boxes, which have the lids attached that flip back, and have the cut-outs on the side, which make them easy to carry.  She brought me six more of those and three other regular boxes.

I am determined to use up all the boxes this week and just live amongst the packed boxes for the next few weeks.  I am keeping the bedroom clear and since that’s the room where I spend most of my time, it will not be so bad.  In this apartment I’m either watching TV in bed or working at the computer.  I don’t have a TV in the living room anymore, so I don’t hang out there unless I’m sitting at my desk.

After Rosemary left I got undressed and ready to relax for the night.  It was only 7:30pm, so I did some organizing, but I wasn’t going to do any packing tonight.  I settled in and watched some of the Sunday Night Line-up – Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives (SUCH a good episode!), and The Celebrity Apprentice.

Tomorrow I will do several loads of laundry and continue packing.  It’s now less than 3 weeks until I leave, but I still feel like I’m ahead of the game.  Let’s see how long that feeling lasts!

Here's a picture of my baby, Conrad, who has been moulting lately and is growing a lot of new feathers on his cute little head.  I don't know if you can tell, but he's got a bit of a mohawk going on!

I had a pretty boring day today.  The most excitement I had was when Conrad and I were treated to what sounded like a herd of elephants pounding across the roof.  Turns out there were men doing work on the roof all day, but they were right over my head and hammering, dragging heavy stuff, and walking heavily.  Thank goodness they didn’t start until after 10:00am, because I wouldn’t want to be woken up that way!

I wanted to get out of the apartment, but I didn’t want to leave Conrad, because I could see the noise was scaring him, so I did stuff around the apartment, packed a few boxes, and waited for it to subside.  By noon it had quieted down substantially, so I put in two loads of laundry and ran some errands.

I had found three old cameras, which I am giving to my niece Ashley when I get back to NY.  She’s really into photography, and even though they’re just “vintage” and not “antique” she’s interestd in them anyway!  One is the MINOLTA my parents gave us as an engagement gift, so it’s 26 years old.  Another is an old VIVITAR, and the third is my first digital camera – an OLYMPUS, which I used up until we got to San Diego.  It’s pretty much an antique (I got it in 2003) and there was something wrong with the battery, but other than that it works fine!

In the MINOLTA was a roll of film that was partially used.  I rolled it up and brought it to CVS to see what’s on it.  I know I haven’t taken pictures with that camera for years so, if the film is even good, I have NO idea what might be on there.  It’s exciting!  I'll pick up the pictures tomorrow!

I also brought all my loose change to CVS to get another Starbucks card.  I knew I didn’t have as much as last time, but I figured I might as well use it now.  When I asked for a Starbucks card the machine said there was a $4.00 minimum.  I wasn’t even sure I had $4, because I didn’t use quarters – it was only dimes, nickels, and pennies.  Turns out it was $6.04, which made me very happy!

I left CVS and went to Starbucks before heading back home to throw my wash in the dryer.  I had washed a lot of rags and drop cloths, because I have been doing so much cleaning and spackling.

I have one of those storage cases with lots of little drawers for sewing supplies, or nuts and bolts, etc.  I use it for my loose craft jewels.  I was packing it in a box and needed rubberbands to hold the drawers closed.  I used up the few I had and then in my kitchen junk drawer I found some thin string wrapped around a brown piece of paper.  I have no idea where I got it from, but I always have odds and ends like that around, which were probably in a tin of sewing stuff I picked up for $1 at an estate sale.

I unwound all the string around the drawers and it was nice and tight and I knew the drawers wouldn’t open in shipping.  I used up all the string and was about to throw the piece of paper in the recycling bin, but I opened it and saw it was an old envelope.  I put on my reading glasses and saw that it was from the U.S. Treasury Department.  There were two addresses.  One was printed on the envelope:

DIVISION OF DISBURSEMENT
Washington 26, D.C.
Return If Not Delivered As Indicated Below
OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Hand-stamped next to that was another address:

DIVISION OF DISBURSEMENT
7th FL, 341 Ninth Avenue
NEW YORK 1, N.Y.

The postmark says, New York, N.Y.
February 10th, 9:30pm, 1945

I was instantly interested.  I couldn’t believe how perfect this envelope was.  Except for the creases (it was folded several times and the string was wrapped around it) it looked as if it was mailed yesterday!  I could not believe that envelope was mailed 64 years ago!  I guess the string's probably been around it for almost as long!

Inside the envelope were two small pieces of paper.  One said:

TO THE PAYEE OF THE ENCLOSED CHECK:
The enclosed check represents a refund of income tax by you during 1943 (by withholding from wages, or otherwise) which is in excess of the amount due as shown on your return.  The mathematical computation of your tax has been verified and corrected, if necessary, but your return has not yet been completely audited.  If the final audit of your return develops that an adjustment is necessary, you will be advised.
Collector of Internal Revenue

The other had a picture of a $100 War Savings Bond Series E with the words “LET IT RIDE” in red. 

On the back it says:

Why not let this money ride?
AGAINST THE AXIS – This Income Tax Refund check represents Fighting Dollars working to win the war.  Keep them fighting.
AGAINST HIGH PRICES – Every dollar invested in War Bonds helps keep prices down.
FOR YOUR FUTURE – Put this money to work in War Bonds for your own security and a better life after the war.
LET IT RIDE! Take this check, plus what little more it may require, to any place where War Bonds are sold and put it into Bonds.  Keep these dollars fighting.

WOW!  I couldn’t believe it.  I love old stuff (as you all know) and I thought this was very cool.  I wonder why they don’t sell War Bonds anymore.  I know they were pretty popular during WW II.

Anyway, I thought you’d all be interested to see pictures and hear of my interesting discovery!

In the late afternoon I took a nap and my Mom woke me up at 7:30pm.  She, too, is very excited about my imminent return to the East Coast.  She knows it will mean I can visit her and my Dad a lot more often, which of course is a great thing!

I recorded HEROES and DANCING WITH THE STARS, but I was working in the other rooms, packing, organizing, and cleaning.  At 10:30pm I watched MEDIUM.  Did I ever mention how much I love that show?  It’s really exciting and I love that psychic stuff!

I want to try to get to bed early (but you know how that’s been going).  I have a big day tomorrow: Lunch with three girls from the office (Ailien (pronounced Eileen), Nancy and Judy), then a haircut by John at 3:00pm and yoga at 7:00pm.  I won’t get much packing done, but – hey – there’s always Wednesday!

I woke up at 9:00am, called Eric, and then immediately got started on my day.  I had breakfast, worked on the computer, showered, dressed and was ready to leave the apartment by 11:00am, because I was supposed to pick up the girls at 11:30am for lunch.

I decided to quickly check my email right before I left and saw the girls were all emailing saying that all the restaurants in Del Mar were closed because apparently there was a water main break the other day and the water was undrinkable, and they didn’t even want you showering for 72 hours!

Fortunately, they said we could just go to another neighborhood, so I left the apartment, went to Citibank to get some cash, and then drove to Del Mar.  Ailien, Judy and Nancy directed me to Panera Bread in Solana Beach, which is just about 10 minutes away.

We all had cream of broccoli soup, but I had ½ a Mediterranean Veggie sandwich and iced tea.  The others had ½ sandwiches or salads.  We sat outside, because it was a glorious day.  We had a lot of fun.  Judy was telling us about all the trips she’ll be taking this year.  She’s just had so many great opportunities to travel.  2009 is certainly her year!

Ailien was telling us that she’ll be going to Cleveland for a wedding.  She’s in the midst of planning her own wedding, too, which will take place later this year.

Nancy was telling us that her daughter (who is in college) just bought a PT Cruiser.  I told her how much I love my car and that I recommend it so highly.  We talked about work, about my imminent departure, and about what life will be like when I get back to NY.  My first project is to find us a better apartment.  After that – who knows?

After lunch, and a lot of laughs, I dropped the girls back off at the office and drove to Hillcrest for my hair appointment.  First, I stopped at STARBUCKS and picked up coffee for me and John.  (I called him from the car and he told me what he likes.)

We discussed my hair and he told me that I should go inbetween what I had (bushy with a DA in the back) and what I had in December (super cropped).  So, he trimmed off what I was calling my “Mrs. Brady” flip in the back (remember how Florence Henderson had that flip in the back of her hair?), trimmed the sides, and left it a little longer on top.  I was thrilled with the result!

After my haircut I drove back to the apartment.  I needed to go to the shopping center to pick up my pictures (the ones from my old Minolta camera that had been in the camera for years) and also my bicycle, which was being packed in the box by the bike shop.  I decided to call both, to be sure my pictures AND the bike were ready.  They both were and I was on my way.

First, I had to go back to CITIBANK, because my $75 check had arrived from the insurance company to cover my week of car rental from ENTERPRISE.  I swear, I have been involved in accidents before, but never have I been reimbursed and the entire incident completely resolved so quickly.  I’m surprised and happy!

Next, I went to the bike shop and the guy put the big box in the car.  He’s not much taller than me, and he told me it wasn’t heavy, so I figured I could carry it upstairs by myself.  Then, I went to CVS to pick up my pictures.  When I got to the car I looked at them and couldn’t believe what I saw.  The last time I used my MINOLTA camera was during a SNOWSTORM!!!!!  It was pictures of Eric, coming in from shoveling snow, Eric outside with the snow blower, the snow in the backyard, the snow on the old PT Cruiser, etc.  It made me laugh out loud, because it was like a premonition of things to come, as well as a reminder of things past!

There were pictures of a dozen long-stemmed red roses taken in the shop, so I knew it was around Valentine's Day, and that it had to be 2003, because the shop wasn't opened yet on Valentine's Day 2002 and by 2004 I had my Olympus digital.  Good detective work, eh?

When I got back to the apartment, I opened the back of the PT Cruiser, but I couldn’t even get the box out of the car!  So much for that!  I talked to Eric and he said to ask Bret to help me, but Bret is never very enthusiastic about helping, so I decided to see who else was around.  I told Eric I would ask one of the workmen to help me.  There were some guys working on repainting the stairs, and I had seen them around for the last few days.  I walked over to one and asked him if he could help me.He carried the box from the parking lot, through the complex, up the stairs and into the apartment.  I thanked him profusely and offered him $5, but he wouldn’t take it.  Eric told me he wouldn’t take it.  I wonder how he knew!  He didn’t even know how much I was offering him, because he wouldn’t even look at the money.  He wouldn’t even touch it.  I tried to put it into his hand.  He wouldn’t take it.

Just seeing how much snow built up on the railing in the backyard, you can see that we had at least a foot of snow.  Oh, those were the good old days (not!)

Anyway, I begged him.  I said he HAD to take it.  I told him if he didn’t I would feel really bad.  He said, if he did HE would feel really bad.  Finally, I just thanked him again, and said goodbye.  There are so many good people in this world.  I was so grateful.  I told him he had really helped me, because I am all alone here and my husband is in NY and it was so kind of him.  I know he felt good when he left, but I still wish he had taken the $5!

I felt good that I had been able to cross another thing off my list – the bicycle was packed and ready to ship!

I spoke to my friend Marti this afternoon and we made definite plans to meet again tomorrow night for dinner and go to THE CARRIAGE HOUSE LOUNGE for Karaoke again.  I’m really looking forward to it!  She’s a lot of fun, AND she has a great voice!  She just came back from a trip to visit her daughter in San Francisco, and she got to spend some time with Jimmy, too.  She told me they had so much fun – and Jimmy emailed me some pictures to prove it!

It was 4:30pm by the time I got back from running all the errands, so I just relaxed for a while and watched TV before my yoga class.  I dozed for a while, but it wasn’t really a nap, because there was a lot of noise outside.

I got up at 6:30pm and went to yoga.  My regular teacher was back.  She’s so sweet.  The class was packed, as usual, and she worked us really hard today.  It was a great class.  When I got home I was starving.  I hadn’t eaten since lunch – and that was at noon!  I decided to drive by STARBUCKS to get a decaf coffee, and then I drove across the street and went someplace I have never been to before – in the year and a half I’ve lived here!  I drove through DEL TACO – a Mexican fast food place.  I got two shrimp tacos and a cheese quesadilla.

They were both gone in a flash.  I inhaled them.  They’re small portions, to be sure, but it was delicious and I was starving, so they didn’t last long!

I watched THE BIGGEST LOSER (isn’t it ironic that I’m stuffing my face with Mexican food as I watch a show about losing weight?).

I just stopped blogging long enough to watch THE FREE PHOTO BOOTH on Jay Leno.  For those of you who have never seen it, they set up a real photo booth at Universal Studios in L.A., but instead of being a regular photo booth, there’s a comedienne who can see the people inside and she pretends to be the “automatic voice” of the photo booth, giving them instructions.  She is SO funny and then, when she makes the people laugh, or they’re shocked by what she says, they snap the picture.  It’s HYSTERICAL.  I’ve seen it 4 or 5 times and they’re even on YOU TUBE, so if you want to check it out, go to YOU TUBE and type in LENO PHOTO BOOTH.  You’ll thank me!

I have no plans for tomorrow during the day, but I’d like to get a lot of packing done and then have fun later with Marti at dinner and Karaoke.  Believe me, I’ve still got a lot of packing to do!

I woke up at 9:00am, spoke to Eric, and then started packing.  I watched DANCING WITH THE STARS (I haven’t yet watched the elimination show, but I heard it was Denise).  Then, I watched the finale of RuPAUL’S DRAG RACE.  I was so happy Bebe had won (I had already heard that, too!).  After that I went out for a while.  Eric had gotten a post office box for us in Whitestone and I wanted to change my address, but I wasn’t able to do it online, so I got dressed and drove to the post office (stopping at Starbucks first, of course!).

The guy told me that the post office box wasn’t yet in the system, which was why I couldn’t do it online, so I just have to wait a few days and try again.  It’s always something, isn’t it?

I came back to the apartment and continued packing.  I got a lot done today, but it seems the more I pack the more I find.  I still have SO much that needs to be boxed up.  I’m not yet out of boxes, but it doesn’t look good.  What happens when I run out and no one has anymore?  I’ll end up buying them at STAPLES, which to me is just a huge waste of money.  What about recycling – reducing – reusing?

I took another shower and got dressed at around 6:00pm and left the apartment a few minutes before 7:00pm to pick up Marti, who lives just 1.5 miles away.  We went to an Italian place on Balboa called GIOVANNI’S because I had a coupon for one free spaghetti meal when you purchased one spaghetti meal.  Marti and I are into economizing and having fun on a budget.  Since Karoke is free (you just throw the KJ a few bucks and maybe buy one drink), it was going to be a cheap night.  Just my style!

I got penne with tomato sauce with mushrooms.  Marti got spaghetti with meat sauce.  We each got an iced tea.  Each dish came with two pieces of toasted garlic bread.  The check was $16 and change.  We left $11 each.  Not bad for a delicious meal!

It was only 8:00pm and since Karaoke doesn’t start until 9:00pm, I convinced Marti to go to Starbucks with me (not my usual place, but very close by).  We went inside and I got a tall (which is the smallest size) Mocha.  We talked and I drank and then we went to the bar.

It was pretty empty when we got there, but Nicole the KJ was there.  She was happy to see us!  We looked at the song lists and put in our requests.  It was a lot quieter than Friday night, but there were still a LOT of people singing.  Our friend from last time, Tony, came by.  He’s such a nice guy.  He’s a great singer, too.

I sang DIFFERENT DRUM (originally performed by Linda Ronstadt, but written by Mike Nesmith (of the Monkees!).  I also sang LET’S GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT by Bonnie Raitt, and Marti and I did a duet of TIME AFTER TIME by Cindy Lauper.

Marti is amazing with harmonies.  She likes to sing along with every performer, singing perfect harmony.  She’s got a gorgeous voice, and should always be singing lead, but she prefers backup harmonies!

She sang I CAN’T MAKE YOU LOVE ME, by Bonnie Raitt, and did a duet with Tony – YOU DON’T BRING ME FLOWERS (Streisand/Diamond).  She also sang another few songs, but I can’t remember now (and I only had one drink!).  Marti bought me a Greyhound, which is vodka and grapefruit juice   It was sweet and went down real easy!

There were a lot of good singers tonight, and some not-so-good singers, but they’re all very entertaining.  They sing the songs you hear on the radio today, and songs from 40 or 50 years ago.  It’s all fun!

There was a young guy named Manny who had a very high voice.  He sang the song from TITANIC (My Heart Will Go On?).  It sounded okay, but it was just such a weird song for a guy to sing and it was a little too high at the end when it modulates.  I thought of a song I thought would be great for him and I looked it up in the book – DUST IN THE WIND, by Kansas.  I asked him about it, but he never heard of it, so I told him I’d sing it with him.

He was such a quick learner and picked it up so fast that by the second verse he was singing along perfectly.  He really sounded great and he loved it!  I told him to keep singing that, because it was a much better song for him.  I told Nicole (the KJ) that I should be a producer.  She said, “I think you should be a Karaoke Hostess!

I actually WAS a Karaoke Hostess – a long time ago – for one night only.  I don’t even remember how I got the gig, but it was downtown, near Wall Street.  They didn’t start until 8:00pm, so I didn’t have enough time to go home and come back, but I had to kill 3 hours from the time I finished work until the time I started working at the bar.  There was a guy who “ran the show” and my gig was to get the people singing (and drinking) and take their song requests.

I remember it was REALLY smoky (this is before the smoking ban in NY bars) and it was killing me, because of my allergies and asthma.  I sang a few songs, which was fun, but mostly it was about talking to people over the music (which was hard on my voice), breathing in the smoke, and getting people to sing and buy drinks.   At the end of the night Eric came to pick me up.  I think they paid me $40 for the night.  Eric and I were both hungry, so we went someplace and I think it cost us the entire $40 for dinner, and we got home late and both had to work the next day, so I decided it was not going to be a big career move for me and I told the guy I couldn’t do it anymore.  And that was the beginning and end of my big Karaoke career!

So, anyway, tonight we listened, performed, clapped, sang harmony, and supported everyone until midnight and then I had had enough.  Marti got an offer from Tony to drive her home and even though SHE had work tomorrow and I am unemployed, I left and she stayed!  I came home, got undressed and started blogging.  I had to throw all my clothes in the hamper, because they smelled of smoke, even though there’s no smoking in the bar.  The “enclosed patio” is right through a door that is 5 feet from the karaoke area, and since everyone stands right outside the door to smoke, the smoke comes right back in and it really bothered me.

Nicole asked us to come back next Wednesday.  I know Marti really wants to go back, and I guess I can deal with it one more time before I head back to NY.  She’s a lot of fun, and really sweet, and it WAS a fun night.  I just wish there was no smoking!!

It’s now after 1:00pm and I know I’m going to be up late, because I always need to watch some TV and unwind before I can fall asleep.  I don’t have any plans tomorrow, except more packing, so I guess it’s okay.  I had a great night and I want to make as many San Diego memories as I can before I head back to NYC!

My phone rang at 7:18am this morning.  I know exactly what time it was, because I looked at the clock thinking I might have overslept.  I didn’t go to sleep last night until almost 3:00am, because by the time I got home from Karaoke, blogged, and watched some TV, it was really late.

Anyway, it was Eric on the phone.  He wanted to let me know that he was going to get laid off.  He was pretty upset.  I felt so bad for him.  It’s funny, because I had this premonition that he would be out of work when I got back and, I gotta tell you the truth, I was kind of happy about it!
The thought of him being there on a daily basis, helping me unpack and get settled, going apartment hunting with me, etc., is really appealing.

Anyway, it turned out that he was put on another job (67th Street and 1st Avenue), but he may only be there for a week and may get laid off next week.  I’m surprised at how much this upsets Eric, even though he’s probably gotten laid off a hundred times in his long career as a steamfitter.  It’s just the nature of the business.  Construction is very different from any other type of work.  You are only employed as long as the boss needs you.  When he doesn’t need you, he just lets you go.  When he needs you again, he may call you back, or you could just move on to another company.

Obviously, I’d feel better, and more secure, if Eric was working.  It would definitely take the pressure off of me to find a job right away, but if he can’t find work then I’ll just go back to work sooner.  I think he was upset because he knows I'm coming back in 2 weeks and didn't want anything to change my plans, or upset me.  I told him it's even more important than ever that I come back, because right now we're paying two rents!  At least when I get back we'll both be living in the same place and our expenses will be greatly reduced.

He felt better after talking to me, and I told him I couldn’t believe I was coming back in just two weeks.  It feels like I’ll never get everything packed.  I didn’t think I had that much to pack, but the more I pack, the more I keep finding that needs to be packed!  I’m definitely going to need more boxes, and Rosemary asked me to go out to dinner with her this coming Monday and promised to bring more boxes.  She's been a lifesaver!

I also got an invitation from Elsa today to attend a luncheon in my honor in HR at the firm.  I thought that was SO nice!  So, I’ll be going there next Wednesday, April Fool’s Day!  I’m going to try to get more boxes that day, too!

I have a busy week next week.  On Thursday, 4/2 I have Conrad’s vet appointment at 9:00am; then my color touch-up at 2:00pm; then my usual 5:15pm appointment, and then I’m meeting my colorist and stylist, John (or Janusz (his real name) which he is now using again) for dinner.  He was so sweet to invite me out for dinner before I leave town.  He’s a really fun guy, and he’s invited me out several times, but we’ve never been able to get it together.  I’m hoping next Thursday will be the day!

Next Friday at noon I have another focus group – this one on allergies.  I should be able to contribute a LOT on that subject!  It’s an hour and a half and I get $80 cash.  I’ll be leaving right after that for Los Angeles, but it will be nice to have some cash in my pocket for gas, etc., for my trip!

I got a call today from Marlene and her son, Buddy, my friends in Costa Mesa who bought so much of my jewelry mosaics and decoupage.  They want to see me before I leave, too.  Friday afternoon on my way to L.A. is not going to work out for them, so I told them I’d stop by for an early dinner on my way back to San Diego on Sunday, April 5th.

I did a lot of packing tonight.  I got a late start, because I fell back to sleep late in the morning, but I made up for it this afternoon and tonight and really felt like I accomplished a lot.

On my way back from my appointment tonight I stopped at SUBWAY again.  The girl who helped me last time wasn’t there, but I got another delicious sandwich.  I had half for dinner and I’ll have the other half for lunch tomorrow!  I watched AMERICAN IDOL and HELL’S KITCHEN while I packed and finally stopped at 11:00pm. 

My desk is a TOTAL disaster.  I just have papers and stuff EVERYWHERE.  I’m trying to get more organized, but it seems the more I pack, the crazier and more disorganized the apartment looks.  Help!

There are now about 25 boxes of every size standing on one wall in the living room.  I have about a dozen empty boxes left, and I really think when they're filled I will be almost done. I may not have any boxes for the packers to pack my breakables, but they bring their own boxes, so I don’t need to worry about that.

I can’t believe tomorrow is Friday already.  The days are just flying by.  I am planning to go for my last meal at THE BIG KITCHEN on Saturday morning.  I invited Marti, since she’s never been there and she’s a lot of fun to hang out with.  I’m bringing a present for Judy, the Beauty, on Duty!  I just hope she’s there!

I woke up at 9:00am to call Eric, but then I fell back to sleep and had the WEIRDEST dreams.  I woke up again around 11:00am and by the time I had breakfast and showered, it was after noon!

I started two loads of laundry and drove to Starbucks.  I also picked up my dry cleaning (one black cardigan) and went to KEIL’S for the first time in almost a month!  I just wanted to pick up some veggies to make a big salad.  Haven’t had one of those in a while!  I also bought some Chocolate-Caramel non-dairy creamer, so I can use up the rest of the decaf Starbucks coffee I have in the apartment.

I did a LOT of packing today.  I feel like I really accomplished a LOT.  I took the two round glass-top tables with fabric we used as night tables and washed the fabric rounds in the laundry, because I’m going to sell the tables at the garage sale.  We’ve used them for a LONG time, but we didn’t need extra storage since we had a HUGE closet in our master bedroom in Whitestone. 

Now, since we’ll be living in smaller quarters with less luxurious storage options, it will be important to have more storage, and night tables with drawers are a great way to accomplish that.  So, I can use my folding snack tables until I find something back in NY.

I vacuumed the entire bedroom, once I got the round tables out, and then I put a folding snack tray on just my side.  Conrad is on another snack tray, and I have one snack tray in the living room as an end table, with one lamp on it by my desk.  The bedroom is getting emptier and emptier!  There aren't many clothes left in the closet, the vanity's all packed up, except for my everyday makeup and the two lamps, the art is off the walls, as well as my pin and earring boards, and most of the shelves are down, too.

Next I packed a few big boxes.  They always tell you to pack the small boxes with heavy stuff and the bigger boxes with lighter stuff, but what happens when you have big heavy stuff that will only fit in a big box?  Well, I packed three big moving boxes and the movers are going to hate me, because they weigh a ton!

I watched a lot of decorating shows today and worked during each of the commercials.  There’s nothing on tonight, since MONK and GHOST WHISPERER are both on hiatus (boo hoo), so I caught up on shows I had recorded and not yet watched.  I watched HEROES.  It was really good, even though my two favorite characters – Sylar and Claire – weren’t in this episode at all!

I am going to bed early tonight (or at least I’m going to try), because I’m picking up Marti at 8:30am tomorrow (which is VERY early for me – especially on a Saturday) and we’re going to see Judy, the Beauty, on Duty at THE BIG KITCHEN.  I know Marti’s going to love it and I can’t wait to have my grilled cheese with tuna – for the last time (another boo hoo).

Then, in the afternoon, Elsa is coming to pick up the planters I have outside on the balcony.  I knew I wasn’t taking them back to NY, and she and her husband just redid their whole backyard.  I think they’re really pretty and will add a lot to their décor.  I’m going to follow her back to her house (a few miles away), so I can see all the work they’ve done and help her put out the planters.  Elsa has been very kind to me, and a good friend since I met her over a year ago.  I feel it’s the least I can do to thank her for her friendship.

Those are the only plans I have for the entire weekend, but I DO want to get a lot more packing done.  I will be “out and about” a lot next week and in Los Angeles for 3 days next weekend, and I’d like to have the bulk of the packing done before I leave for L.A.  I should be able to do it all, except for the things I’ll need right up until the last day.  I can’t wait.  I’m just glad I’ll have Eric to help me unpack it all when it gets to NY!

I had to get up extra early this morning – 7:15am – because I was picking Marti up for breakfast at THE BIG KITCHEN at 8:30am.  Unfortunately, although I went to bed early last night, I did not sleep well at all.  I turned off the TV at midnight (which is early for me), and slept for only an hour.  I woke up and my nose was running and I was sneezing.  I fell back to sleep for about 45 minutes, and was up again.  I fell asleep once again, but not for long.  I woke up at 2:45pm an couldn’t fall back to sleep, so at 3:00am I went out to the living room and started up the computer.

I worked for about 20 minutes and then went back to bed, certain that I’d never fall back to sleep.  I put on the TV and just kind of watched with one eye closed and eventually I DID fall asleep.  Unfortunately, 7:15am came MUCH too soon.  I snoozed a few times (something I haven’t done since I stopped working), but still managed to get out on time.

I picked Marti up and we drove to South Park.  Although there were already a lot of people seated for breakfast when we got there (they open at 9:00am), there were plenty of seats.  I showed Marti the two sides of the restaurant (with the two doors).  There’s the side with the counter and 4 booths, and the other side with booths on one side and tables on the other.  If you want to be on one side, you go through one door.  If you want to be on the other side, you go through the other door.  They also have a screened-in eating area out back, but in all the times I’ve gone there, I’ve never eaten out there.

We sat at a booth on the left side.  The only way to get from one side to the other when you’re in the restaurant is through the kitchen, so people walk through there all the time.  That’s where Whoopi has her autograph on the wall.

I asked if Judy was in yet, and the guy told us she wasn’t, but she was definitely expected.  I was so excited to give her a gift I had brought her.  There is stuff ALL over the walls in THE BIG KITCHEN – original art, posters, mirrors, knick-knacks, photos, etc.  I brought a small bejeweled mirror that I wanted her to hang on the wall in THE BIG KITCHEN, so I could leave my mark there.

I ordered my ususal – grilled cheese with tuna – this time on sour dough bread (I sometimes get rye), and an iced tea.  Marti got biscuits and gravy and an iced tea.  I’ve never had that at THE BIG KITCHEN, although Eric and I did have it a couple of times when we were in the deep south.

As we were eating our delicious food and enjoying a lively conversation, Judy walked in.  She gave me a wonderful greeting, and I introduced her to Marti.  I gave her a little Betty Boop shopping bag (she loves Betty Boop) with a leopard card inside, and the gift wrapped in tissue paper.  She opened the card and read it.  I had written inside that I was going to miss THE BIG KITCHEN, which was our favorite restaurant in San Diego.  There were many restaurants that Eric and I enjoyed wholeheartedly while we were here (Haiku is another one that immediately comes to mind), but there’s nothing like THE BIG KITCHEN.  It’s truly one of a kind!

Judy opened the gift and absolutely loved it.  She was holding it on her chest like a big medallion and said she was going to wear it as a necklace, so people could see what they looked like as they talked to her (because it’s a mirror).  She’s so funny and cute.  I love her!  I told her that I was hoping she’d hang it on the wall there, along with all the other art, but she told me that she REALLY wanted to bring it home and hang it in her house.  I was surprised, and really honored.  I thought that was SO sweet.

She kissed me, thanked me profusely, and disappeared into the kitchen to show the staff.  I was thrilled with her response.  After we were done (I took home half my sandwich, as usual), we paid our check and went to look for Judy.  I took Marti through the kitchen, so she could see what it was like (and see Whoopi’s autograph on the wall), and then we went into the other room.  Judy wasn’t there – she was outside talking to people waiting to be seated.  Marti took a couple of pictures of me and Judy, and we said our goodbyes.  Judy said that at least if I was going back to NY, now she’d have a place to stay when she came to visit.  I told her she was definitely welcome anytime!

We got back in the car.  It was starting to get hot out.  It’s been very hot the last couple of days.  When you’re outside, there’s a nice breeze, but in the car and in the apartment it can get very stuffy very quickly.

I drove back to Clairemont and dropped Marti off at home.  Then I drove the 100 feet from her house to STARBUCKS (can you imagine if I lived in her house?) and then drove home.  Tifney had contacted me about having lunch today and I told her that I was having a big breakfast, so I’d definitely meet her, but the later the better.

I packed some boxes and waited for her call.  She called around 2:00pm and, even though I wasn’t hungry at all, I drove down to where she lives (about 20 minutes).  We ate at a little Italian place right near her house, where I had eaten with her and Josh before.  It’s called D’Lish.  Good Italian food!  I had told Eric that I didn’t know if I should go, because I wasn’t hungry, and he said, “You have to go see Tifney.  Just order something light!”  He’s so cute.

Tifney had brought a group!  There was her 14-year-old son, her step-son (who is about the same age) and a cousin who was 9.  Her Mom, whom I had met once before, also came.  Tifney and I decided to split a Cobb Salad (with the chicken on the side).  Her Mom got a salad, too.  I don’t know what the three boys got.  They were at one side of the table and we were at the other and pretty much ignored them the whole meal.  Tifney, her Mom and I had a great time.  The salad was really good, but I didn’t eat much, so Tifney got to take a lot of it home.  I knew I had my other half of grilled cheese waiting for me, so I didn’t care.

When I got back I contacted Elsa about picking up the planters on the balcony and she came over around 5:00pm.  It just took a few minutes to get them into her car and I told her I wasn’t going to go back to her house with her, because I was back to packing and “on a roll.”  I could also feel a “crash” coming on and knew I was going to take a nap.

I packed a few more boxes, organized more stuff in the back room, made another pile for the garage sale next weekend and then took a nap at around 6:00pm.  I fell into a really deep sleep and woke up a little after 8:00pm.  I heated up and thoroughly enjoyed my other half of grilled cheese and tuna.  I sure will miss those sandwiches.

I remembered that tonight was the “big night” to shut off all the lights for an hour and I was looking forward to it.  I was hoping the complex would turn off the lights in the pool, but they didn’t, and I could see a lot of the apartments had all the lights off, but some had them on, so it wasn’t a huge success here.  I wonder how the rest of the world did!

I kept all the lights off, as well as the computer, but did watch TV for a little while.  Then I called my cousin, Ilene, to talk about next weekend in L.A., and then while I was talking to her my sister-in-law, Ellen, called from Florida.  So, I really didn’t do much except talk on the phone for an hour!

At 9:30pm I turned the TV back on and started watching VICTOR/VICTORIA.  It’s such a beautiful, colorful, fun movie.  I wish I had seen the musical on Broadway.  I don’t know how I missed it, but I never did catch it while it was playing!

I know I’m going to be up late tonight.  I can’t pack, because it makes too much noise, so I’ll just relax, watch TV, and maybe read a little more of WICKED.  I’ve now been reading that book for several months and still haven’t finished it yet.  I don’t get to read it every day, and I feel guilty laying around reading, so I don’t devote much time to it, but I AM anxious to see if it’s going to end at all like the musical does.  So much of the book is SO different from the musical.  It’s much darker, more sinister, and deeper.  They definitely made it lighter and more comical for Broadway.

Last night I watched a documentary I had recorded on HGTV called A MAN NAMED PEARL.  It’s about a black man in South Carolina who turned his 3-acre backyard into a work of art using his self-taught skills to create amazing topiaries.

I had seen a commercial for it, and it intrigued me, so I set it to record and watched it last night.  I loved it so much, and was so touched by it that I want to make the trek to Bishopsville, South Carolina to see his garden and meet Pearl and his wife.  The story is so inspirational, so uplifting, and so sweet.  The love story between Pearl and his wife, and the love and respect his friends, neighbors and family have for him is a beautiful thing so see.  I recommend this documentary so highly.  You can purchase a DVD and a portion of the proceeds go to Pearl, to help him keep up his garden.

Speaking of gardens, the Bougainvillea are in bloom in the parking lot again.  I love this plant!

I have absolutely no plans for tomorrow – except (big surprise) – more packing!  I really can see the light at the end of the tunnel, believe it or not.  I was talking to my Dad today and he laughed, because I said it seems no matter how much stuff I get rid of, I still have a lot of stuff!  I guess I’m just a collector, and there’s nothing to be done about it!

Could there be a prettier camouflage for the dumpsters?

It’s true!  I never even got dressed yesterday.  My allergies were bothering me so much last night that I took two NYQUILs when I went to sleep.  I slept really well, through the night, and after I woke up at 9:00am to call Eric I went back to sleep and didn’t wake up until after 11:00am!  I felt kind of groggy, but as I started to work around the apartment, it wore off.

It was much cooler today, overcast, and a really nice breeze was blowing through the open door and windows.  I got a LOT done – packing until I had no more packing tape!  I’ll have to go back to STAPLES tomorrow to get me some more!

In the meantime, since I had no more packing tape, I started organizing the spare bedroom.  I moved around the boxes that have been sitting there since the day we moved in (they contain chandeliers, mannequins, lamps, and tons of knick-knacks I haven’t touched since I got here!).

On one side of the room I have all the stuff I’m taking to the garage sale next weekend, and I got that a little more organized, too.  I was watching a marathon of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL all day, and I was thrilled to realize there were actually a few episodes in this cycle that I had never seen.  I really love that show.  I love seeing a girl transformed by make-up and creating art with her body.  At the same time, it’s also interesting to see the most beautiful girl you can imagine take terrible pictures.

There’s really an art to it.  You can’t just be beautiful and create great photos.  It’s not the photographer’s fault – or expertise – either.  It’s really all about the model.  She has to give the photographer something to work with.  It seems like such a glamorous career, but when you see how they have to do a shoot right after a long plane ride, or pose in the ocean when the water is 50 degrees, it doesn’t seem quite as glamorous.  It’s hard work, and if they’re paid $10,000 for the day, they very often deserve it!

I didn’t take a nap, so at about 9:00am I was exhausted and my eyes were closing.  I decided to go to sleep and hope for the best.  Well, the best I could do at that hour was three hours.  I was up at midnight and there was nothin’ I could do about it!  I worked on the computer and watched more TV and fell back to sleep around 3:00am.  I tell you, this sleep cycle thing has got to right itself when I get back to NY, or I’ll be driving Eric crazy!

After staying home all day yesterday, I finally left the apartment this afternoon, but only because I ran out of packing tape and couldn’t do any more packing without it!  I didn’t get a very good night’s sleep last night, so after I hung up with Eric at 9:00am I went back to sleep for a while.  I finally woke up again around 11:00am, had breakfast, worked on the computer, and got ready to go out.

I drove through Starbucks (how I missed it yesterday!) and then drove to PACIFIC BEACH.  I first stopped at the SALVATION ARMY.   I wanted to find out how to get them to pick up a piece of furniture I want to donate.  It’s the entertainment center I actually bought from them last year.  I tried to sell it by putting a poster up in the laundry room, but I figure if I can get them to come pick it up, I might as well just give it away, rather than putting an ad on CRAIG’S LIST.  I have found from experience that a lot of people from Craig's List say they’re coming, but don’t show up, and I’d rather not deal with that.

After I got the information from the Salvation Army, I went to STAPLES and bought six more rolls of packing tape.  I’ve now spent about $50 on packing tape!  It’s a good thing I had all the tissue and paper from our last move, and got a lot of boxes from different people.  So, the packing tape is my only expense – so far!

When I got back I spent the rest of the afternoon packing until Rosemary picked me up for dinner at 6:15pm.  We went to IMPERIAL MANDARIN, our favorite Chinese Restaurant on Convoy.  We had our usual – we shared fried wontons and she had Kung Pao Chicken, while I had the Kung Pao Shrimp.

Rosemary told me about a group she went to with another girl from work where there’s a medium who helps you connect with your angels.  I thought this was very interesting as I am very interested in angels and believe they are all around us, helping us and guiding us.  I believe that our angels are all the people we love who have passed.  They continue to love us and support us on the other side.  We had a long discussion about our different views on this and other similar subjects.  Rosemary is the one I went with to see Charlotte, the psychic, and she and I are both very interested in this type of thing.

Rosemary also told me that she and her sister, Lisa, whom I have met several times and is also really sweet, would like to come visit us in NY in the spring of 2010.  I was so excited about that.  The thought of having a San Diego friend visit in NY made me very happy.

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and each took home enough leftovers for lunch tomorrow.  Delicious AND good company!  It was a lot of fun.

After dinner we drove just a few blocks to TARGET, so Rosemary could pick up a few items.  Then, she dropped me off back at home.  I’ll see her again Wednesday, at the HR luncheon.

When I got in I started blogging, and then watched DANCING WITH THE STARS and MEDIUM.  I really had the urge to do more packing, but it just makes too much noise and isn’t fair to my neighbors.

Tomorrow I have to make another trip to the post office.  I tried for the second time to register my change of address online.  The first time it didn’t work and I went to the post office.  They told me that it was because Eric had just gotten the keys and it might not be in the system yet.  I waited 4 days and tried again today.  I’m going to try again tomorrow, but if it doesn’t work I’m going back there with the hand-written form filled out.  Sometimes the old way is still the best way!

Do you believe I've been able to keep this up for 600 days?  Sometimes it seems like yesterday that we left NY and I started blogging.  Sometimes it seems like 6,000 days!

Anyway, the first thing I did this morning, after I spoke to my darling, Eric, that is, was to go on the computer and start changing our address to our new PO Box.  I was able to do it in certain cases, but in other cases (credit card and bank) they won’t let you use a PO Box, so I just used our friends’ address, which we had used before when we were traveling in the RV.  Since I haven’t had a chance to tell them yet, and I know they read my blog – hey, guys – you may get mail for us again!!!!!  Sorry about that!  The truth is, the banks and credit card companies send me everything via email anyway.  They just need a real billing address.

Next, I went to usps.com to try to change my address online, so my mail would start getting forwarded.  Of course, I wasn’t able to.   I had originally tried last Wednesday, 3/25, and when I wasn’t able to do it I went to the post office.  They told me that it probably wasn’t in the system yet and to wait a few days.  I figured waiting until this morning was long enough, but of course it STILL wouldn’t let me.  It was saying that they were unable to process my request because one of the addresses was a business address.

So, back to the post office I went!  I told the woman there what happened.  She told me that a lot of people have problems doing it online.  I had taken the form that needs to be filled out the last time I was there, so had just filled it out at home and brought it with me.  She took it, but told me that it takes up to 10 days for it to be processed, because it gets sent to the main office in Los Angeles.

I told her “I’m moving in ten days!”  Now, I’m really worried, because I wouldn’t want the post office to continue delivering my mail after I leave.  The good news is I asked for the mail to be stopped on 4/8, and I’m not really leaving until 4/10, so I will see if I get mail on Thursday or Friday.  If I do, I’ll have a chance to go to the post office and get the problem resolved.  She also gave me the number of the post office here and told me to call next week and ask for a supervisor, to see if the request had been put through.  Just another in a long line of things to take care of before I go.

After I got back from the post office (and Starbucks!), I started packing.  I got a lot done today, and I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Today I actually started pulling boxes out of closets that are already packed from our last move, just to be sure they are taped closed, and to make sure I have the right information on the box, including the box number and whether it’s going into storage or to the apartment.

I worked until it was time to go to yoga.  It was a great class and I really needed it.  My stress level is definitely very high right now and the serenity yoga is just what the doctor ordered!

When I got back from class, I made myself some tuna (unfortunately I have no bread, crackers, wraps, or anything else to put the tuna on, so I just had it with some cucumber.  Hey, don’t feel too bad for me, it was pretty good!  I watched a little bit of AMERICAN IDOL, then changed over to the elimination on DANCING WITH THE STARS.  I was happy with the results.  Next, I watched THE BIGGEST LOSER.  Not so happy with that elimination, but it IS a game, and they’re all really playing it now!

I’m very excited about tomorrow, because I’m going back to the office for the luncheon HR is having in my honor.  It’s so sweet.  All 10 girls will be there, and it should be a lot of fun.  I might walk around a little afterwards, to say more goodbyes, if I can get someone to go with me.  They have a rule about a non-employee walking around the office by themselves, so I have to have a “babysitter.”  I’d like to say goodbye, although I probably could come back one day next week.  I really won’t have that much to do, because I’ll probably be all finished packing!!!!

I’m also supposed to go back to Karaoke with Marti tomorrow night, but I’m kind of afraid to go.  The last two times I went I felt lousy for a day or two afterwards, because of the cigarette smoke.  It really bothers me.  It gives me “the asthma.” 

I already told Marti that we should go in separate cars, because I don’t want to stay long, but I’m wondering if I should even go at all.  I have such a big day on Thursday, and I’m leaving for the weekend on Friday and I’d hate to deliberately cause my allergies to be worse than they already are.  I really, really hate cigarette smoke and I think that in the two times I’ve been to this bar I’ve breathed in more cigarette smoke than I have in the last 10 years!

Well, I guess I’ll figure it all out tomorrow, depending on the kind of day I have, and how badly I want to sing.  The KJ invited us tomorrow because they’re filming singers for their website or something and she wanted us to sing.  I know Marti’s really excited about it, and I hate to disappoint her, so maybe I’ll go for an hour and then just get the heck out of there!