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!