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!