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!