Peppy's Dream Moving Adventure Blog

Above: Our New Friend, Greg, with Eric and Their Bikes

This morning we woke up VERY early, because Eric wanted to get a ride in on Jockey Hill Road in Woodstock. Eric geared up and drove over there while I was still laying in bed. That’s a new and exciting way to travel! I loved the fact that I could stay with him without even having to get out of bed!

When we got there, we were confused and a little lost, because the map the guy had given us was not very specific and the road said “Private,” so we were just sitting there in the RV when a man came down another private driveway with some mountain bikes on the back of his car. Eric stopped him to ask directions and he was kind enough to take us up the hill (we DID have to go on the private road) to where the trails were.

He asked if I was going with Eric and when I said I wasn’t, he said if Eric would wait for him to gear up, he’d take him through the trails. Of course Eric was thrilled to have someone to ride with, so we waited for him to return.

We had mentioned that we forgot to buy bottles of water, and the water filter we have in the RV dispenses hot water (go figure!), so he brought us back four bottles of water. What a guy!

While they went mountain biking, I turned on the generator and read all my emails (over 40!). I was not even finished when they returned and Eric said Greg wanted to give us a tour of his 40 acre homestead and the house he was renovating. The driveway was flanked by two giant wood bears that Greg had carved himself. Up at the top was a beautiful house, which he had gutted and was in the process of re-doing. He had lots more carved bears, eagles and other animals on the property, which were fabulous. His work inside the house was very impressive, too, and he told us of all his plans.

Then, he took us in his truck and showed us the quarry where he is now mining blue stone and it was amazing! He was a great guy and we were so happy and lucky to have met him!

After that, we went back to the KOA Kampground, took showers, dumped again (our new favorite activity) and then went to lunch at a fabulous little restaurant called Café MezzaLuna, where I had a delicious lunch of vegetarian chili and a veggie quesidilla, and Eric had cold pear and celery soup, and a grilled chicken wrap. Yum! We bought home-made gelato in Tiramisu and Mango flavors to bring to New Paltz!

Above: Outside the Cafe Mezza Luna and Eric Sitting Inside

We took the long way to New Paltz (Route 32 all the way) and got here about 4:00pm. We hung out, talked a lot, and then Rich, Lenae and Keri made a delicious dinner of grilled seafood, sautéed veggies and a big salad. Ed had to go to work, so the rest of us hung out until 11:00pm when Keri went out with friends, Ed came home from work  and Eric and I went to sleep in the RV. It was cozy when we went to sleep, but it got cold out and in the middle of the night I had to get up and get us blankets.

We awoke at 9:00am and took showers in my sister’s house, so we would be ready when my friend, Scott called. He had called previously to let me know that he was going to Saratoga with some friends today and he wanted to stop off at New Paltz to see me, Eric and the Chinook. So, we went to the thruway to meet him and say hi. We took a few pictures with him and his lovely friend, Dana, hugged, gave them the tour of the RV (which takes about 5 minutes) and then they left to go to Albany and then on to Saratoga for the races.

Eric and I then went to Starbucks for coffee and a little breakfast and then went to get massages. Ahhhhhhhh! I got an hour; Eric a half-hour. Fabulous! We then went to the Water Street Market to see the antique shop where my friends, Adrienne and Jim have a booth. They weren’t there, but we got to see their merchandise, which was very impressive. Then we went to lunch at Biggy’s BBQ and I had a shrimp cobb salad (fabulous) and gazpacho, and Eric had a grilled barbeque chicken wrap and came back to the house feeling renewed and refreshed!

The boys are off at the Renegade’s baseball game in Dutchess County. Eddie is an intern with the team and got four tickets, so Rich, Eric, Scoop and Peter went and the girls stayed home, watched TV and organized!

I was ready for a big project and I told Lenae I wanted to reorganize her hutch, which had a gorgeous collection of teapots, including the Bailey’s cookie jars, cups/saucers, sugar and creamer and coffee pot set I had given Lenae. It took me about two hours, but now it looks fantastic and Lenae was SO happy! I really love projects like that. Wish I could make a living doing it!

We’re having grilled chicken and salmon pinwheels for dinner. I’m starving after all that organizing!!!

Good news!  First thing this morning I got a call from Wayne, the driver of our moving truck, telling me our things were in San Diego.  He said everything was in great shape and he was going to bring it to the warehouse.  I then got a call from Dave, our rep at VBO Mayflower in San Diego, saying everything was great and our stuff was being warehoused.  What a load off our minds, knowing everything arrived.  We won’t know what condition it’s all in until we get there in a month, but at least it’s all there!  I have to tell you that, so far, Mayflower has been fantastic.  Dave in San Diego has been a pleasure to deal with, the guys they sent to pack and load us were just the greatest, and they estimated that our things would arrive on the 22nd -- and they did!  Isn't that amazing!  I will tell you when I finally see my things in San Diego whether or not I would recommend them, but so far -- so good!

We finally left New Paltz (even though my family was teasing that we were going to be living in their driveway permanently), and headed to Massachusetts.  We stopped for lunch in Springfield, Mass., because we had heard there was a giant doughnut somewhere since Springfield is the name of the town where the Simpsons live.  Eric is a huge Simpson's fan, so it sounded like fun.  We couldn’t find the doughnut (no one knew what we were talking about, so maybe it's an urban legend), but we did have a great lunch at Friendly’s.  I love Friendly’s, and have gone there with my friends, Loretta, Lauren and Lizzy in New Hyde Park, and also with my friend, Artie in Syosset.  There wasn’t one in Queens, so I didn’t frequent them before, but I love their food!!!

We got to the next campground, Sunsetview Farm in Monson, Mass., at about 4:00pm.  We dumped (interesting, I know), hooked up to water and electricity, and then took a nap.  Isn’t this the most interesting blog you’ve ever read? 

Tonight we spent about an hour on the computer, because we wanted to find a state park with great mountain biking in Maine and we did – Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal, Maine, which is right near the town of Freeport.  We will be heading there tomorrow, instead of Acadia, because Eric found out Acadia doesn’t have single-track, which is the most challenging ride.  He would be bored with double-track or carriage trails, which are more for beginners. 

It’s nice not to have a real itinerary, so we can change our plans anytime we like.

Took the best shower I’ve had since leaving New York City!  This place is really nice.  Here’s what has happened since leaving the city:  I’m hardly wearing make-up anymore.  I’m the kind of dress-up girl that rarely leaves the house without make-up, and would never DREAM of going anywhere without taking a shower first.  Now, because I’m taking showers in campground bathrooms, I’m walking around first thing in the morning – straight from bed -- with my hair going in every direction possible, no make-up and wearing a t-shirt, shorts and slippers!  I wave and say hello to every person I pass, and they don’t scream in fright, so I guess I must look okay!

There’s a freedom to knowing you’ve never seen these people before, and you’ll never see these people again.  You don’t worry about being judged.  It’s liberating!  That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop wearing make-up.  No, not at all.  I love my make-up, my jewelry, and my high heels.  I’m a dress-up girl forever!  It just means that I’m adapting to our life on the road, and actually enjoying it!

After our showers, we went to Milford, about 5 miles from the campground, where the great mountain bike single-track trails are located.  There is also a great greenway, called “Upper Charles Trail” which is all paved and easy riding for a novice like me.  We rode for a couple of miles, passing others on foot, bicycle, roller blades, and lots of families with kids in strollers, or on the back of the bike.  It was really pleasant riding and very scenic, too.  Now, Eric is off finding his challenging single-track, while I sit here in the RV with the generator running, and the air conditioner on, typing this blog.

Eric came back and we went to Milford Bicycle, the mountain bike store.  They told Eric that riders are at the trails between 8:00am and 10:00am, so we’ll be there tomorrow and he will try to hook up with some riders to do the trails.

After the bike shop we saw a Jiffy Lube and Eric wanted to get the oil changed (Mr. Maintenance!), so we stopped in.  They were FANTASTIC and Eric and I HIGHLY recommend the Jiffy Lube in Milford, Mass. — if you’re ever in the neighborhood!.  They did an oil change, an oil treatment, changed the lube in the differential, and a transmission flush and topped off all our fluids.  Eric said they were so efficient and thorough and he really has peace of mind now, traveling so far across the country.

After the Jiffy Lube we were STARVING, so we saw a nice restaurant nearby called Casa Brasil Buffet.  It was SO delicious and we really enjoyed eating something different. Then, Eric got a haircut — #1 buzz.  Short and sweet!

We’re back at Circle CG Farm and we’re excited about Eric’s ride tomorrow!  Then we're off to Cape Cod for the day.  We're looking forward to some fabulous seafood!

Got up at 6:00am, so Eric could be at the Vietnam Trail to meet up with other riders.  We got there at 8:00am and it didn’t take long for all the mountain bikers to show up.  He headed out with a bunch of guys and I was happy to be on the phone and the computer while I waited for him to return. 

We ended up in beautiful Cape Cod 

I spoke to my friend, Adele, for a while catching up on what’s been going on here with us and there with her and her family, and then I gave myself a manicure.  I actually got very spoiled, because my shop was right next to SUNSHINE NAILS (2219 Hillside Avenue in New Hyde Park) where they give the best mani/pedi’s in town!  Cindy, the owner, is a good friend, and I was in there every other week, getting my nails and toes done, getting my eyebrows waxed, and getting massages.  The girls there are so sweet and do such beautiful work.  They’re the BEST!!!!

Anyway, that lifestyle is over for now, and it’s not luxurious and there’s no massage involved, but at least I can still manage to do my nails myself and it looks passable.

So, Eric got back from his ride about 2 hours later, exhausted but happy.  He had a really challenging ride and said the guys he was riding with were hardcore.  Dana, his brother, Jim (who is visiting from Ft. Lauderdale) and Vincent “had a blast and showed Eric what Nam had to offer.”  Dana took video with his camera and will be emailing us pictures.  I can't wait for you to see them on this blog.  Here are some pictures I took:

Eric and His Biking Buddies Hit the Vietnam Trail 

We left Milford and headed back to Circle CG Campground.  We were just going to take fast showers and head to Cape Cod.  Well, you know what they say about “the best laid plans…”  We were backing into our site and Eric accidentally hit the metal post with our site number on it.  It got caught underneath the generator and cut the ground wire in half.  Eric was so upset and mad at himself.  I was pretty mad at him, too, because I had offered to get out and direct him, and he said he didn’t need me.  It’s just horrible when I’m right (not).   Anyway, being the genius that he is, he had it fixed in less than an hour.  So, I can’t be mad at him, because – as I told him – “You f___ed it up, but you fixed it up!”  I guarantee he WILL be letting me direct him from now on!

So, we headed to Cape Cod and made it in just over an hour.  We went all the way to Woods Hole, since Eric’s new friend, Jim, told him it was a great place to eat and walk around.  It’s right by the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, which I never knew was right near Cape Cod, but geography IS my second-worst subject (after math)!  We had a great time, walking around, seeing the sights, and had a delicious seafood dinner at “Waterfront Dining at the Captain Kidd."  There was a separate Captain Kidd restaurant, but it was more like a pub.  This place was fancier and had a nicer menu.  I had my absolute favorite thing in the world – lobster.  It was magnificent!

Peppy and Eric and a Great Lobster Dinner in Cape Cod

It started to drizzle, so instead of walking around more we just headed back and were back at the campsite by 9:00pm. 

So, here I sit typing this blog and feeling lucky that we were able to go to Cape Cod, even though we had a minor disaster this afternoon.  I told Eric that even though bad things have happened twice now (the problem with the radiator and, today, hitting the metal post), it’s always the best scenario of a bad thing.  Bad things are always going to happen, but you have to go with the flow and it will all work out in the end.  At least that’s what I say, because I’m an eternal optimist!

Eric and I realized something for SURE this morning: Campgrounds are usually near a railroad.  I guess it’s because land near a railroad track is cheaper than elsewhere.  I really don’t know.  All I know is that we were RIGHT near a railroad AGAIN last night.  This one was the closest and loudest yet.  I slept better than I thought I would, considering how often that loud horn was blowing.

We checked out of the Allatoona Landing Campground and found a place to have breakfast.  Eric and I have been trying, since we left New York, to find interesting, off-the-beaten path places to eat, rather than eating at chain restaurants.  It’s not always easy, and we have eaten at chain restaurants, but – once in a while – we hit on a real gem – and today that was DOUG’S PLACE RESTAURANT.  I can’t even give you their address, because it’s not on their business card, but it was right near the Allatoona Landing RV Resort, about 6 miles from Cartersville, Georgia. 

The second I opened the door, I knew we were in for a treat.  It was 11:30am, and they were no longer serving breakfast, but the place was filling up fast for lunch.  The restaurant had tons of antiques and collectibles and looked like it had been there -- looking exactly the same way -- for at least 50 years.  The walls were lined with photos of ancestors, friends and family of the owner, Doug, who is no longer with us, but lives on in spirit and in the hearts of his friends.

I asked our lovely, young waitress if it would be okay to take some pictures and she said she’d ask the owner.  She came back and told me the owner said she’d be honored.  So, I took a few pictures.  It was really hard, because every table was filled with hungry patrons, but I managed to get a couple of shots without bothering anyone.

People were interested to know why I was taking pictures and asked if I was from a magazine or newspaper.  I told them that we were traveling the country and I was documenting the wonderful places we had been.  Everyone was so friendly.  I always worried that people didn’t like New Yorkers, or at least might not be too nice to us, but I was wrong.  Everywhere we’ve been so far – Massachusetts, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida – people have been so kind and helpful, so sweet and friendly.

They didn't have many non-meat items on the menu, and I don't eat meat, so I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and Eric got a grilled chicken sandwich.  We also got sides of macaroni and cheese and baked beans.  We finished the meal with a peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream.  The check came to $12.67.  Can you believe it? 

After our lovely lunch, we got on the road and headed south on I-75 through all of Georgia and into Florida.  Not the most interesting drive, but we were really interested in making good time.  I did some driving, too – about 90 miles.  I know Eric doesn’t really relax while I’m driving, but at least he’s getting a break.  We arrived at GRAND LAKE RV AND GOLF RESORT in Orange Lake, Florida (between Ocala and Gainesville) and stopped at a place called Rocky’s Villa for some delicious Mexican food. 

If it sounds like all we did for the last two days is drive and eat – you’re right!  I am getting absolutely FAT.  It’s not like I was ever big into exercising, but lately, unless we’re walking a lot while sightseeing, it’s mostly been eat and drive, eat and drive, eat and sleep, then start all over again.  We’ve also been indulging in desserts everywhere we go.  Eric feels like he’s gaining weight, too, because he’s used to eating whatever he wants, but riding his bicycle 7 days a week.  He’s now down to riding about once a week.  It’s been very hard for him, but he knows when we get to San Diego he’ll be back to riding every day (and riding 12 months of the year, too!), so he’s not too upset about it.  As for me, if I keep up the current pace, I should gain 10 pounds by the time we hit San Diego and it will be VERY hard for me to lose it all.  Boo hoo!

We will be driving all day tomorrow, too, because we want to get to my parents’ house by 5:00pm.  We will be going out to dinner at 6:00pm with my parents, our cousins, and my parents’ friends.  There will be 10 of us, so it should be a lot of fun!

As Paul Simon sang in 1986, “I'm going to Graceland, Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee, I'm going to Graceland.”

We left Byram, Mississippi this morning, after Eric got a haircut (#1 buzz) and I stopped two doors down at a fabulous scrapbook store called A SCRAPPIN FRIENDSY.

I love paper, so I always loved to look at the scrapbook supplies, but I never got into that craft, as I was always so busy with my decoupage and jewelry mosaics.  Since we’ve been on the road, I’ve been saving post cards, business cards, brochures and other ephemera to document our trip, and taking plenty of pictures.  I don’t know if I’ll actually do a scrapbook, but I will certainly make some collages to frame and hang in our new apartment, which will represent our adventure across America.  Jo, the owner, was so helpful and I picked out a few pieces of paper that coordinated with the places we’ve been.  She also had these adorable little license plates (about 1½ inches wide) and I got them for all the states we’ve been in, and the ones we anticipate going to next.

We hadn’t had breakfast and it was already noon, so we asked Jo in A SCRAPPIN FRIENDSY where there was a great place for lunch.  She directed us to Jackson to a place called ELITE RESTAURANT, a cozy much-loved landmark, where we had another delicious meal.  Their homemade rolls were to DIE for!

We got on the road and got to Memphis at 4:30pm and checked into the MEMPHIS-GRACELAND RV RESORT (at the end of LONELY STREET behind the HEARTBREAK HOTEL – no kidding).  We couldn’t believe that Graceland is literally down the block.  We can walk there tomorrow for the tour! 

We decided to take a walk and see what else was in the area and find a place to eat dinner.  There are tons of souvenir shops, and we went into 3 or 4, and then we just started walking up ELVIS PRESLEY BOULEVARD looking for a restaurant.  The Elvis Automobile Museum and Elvis' two custom airplanes are right across the street from GRACELAND.  There are also more souvenir shops and a bunch of restaurants.  Unfortunately, they close at 5:00pm and it was already after 6:00pm, so they were all closed.

We saw an employee come out of the closed areas and we asked him if he could recommend a good place to eat.  He told us about MARLOWE’S RIBS & RESTAURANT, which is 1 mile South of Graceland.  They have a free Pink Limo ride to and from your hotel or RV site.  The gentleman picked us up right at our site and took us (along with three sisters from England and Canada) to the restaurant.

Eric and I have found that talking to people has greatly enhanced our trip.  We make conversation everywhere we go, and the natives will always be happy to recommend places to go, things to see, where to go for the best food, etc.  It is through these recommendations that we have discovered some of the best food we have eaten on this trip, and had some wonderful adventures! 

Marlowe’s is famous for their barbecue, and they have an entrance filled with about 30 huge trophies to prove it!   Eric had the barbecued chicken, and I had the catfish, and we shared sides of beans, cole slaw, corn fritters and sautéed burgundy mushrooms.  YUM YUM! 

Everyone at the restaurant was so friendly, so helpful -- happy to be there.  It was so enjoyable.  We ended up taking home some catfish and chicken, so we could have room for dessert, which was a huge piece of Mississippi Mud Cake a la mode. 

While we waited for dessert to arrive, Eric went to talk to Tony, the owner of the restaurant, who manages the gift shop.  He told Eric what it was like in the “good old days” when Elvis used to come into the restaurant late at night.   He said he, Elvis, and some of the others in Elvis' entourage used to go down to the Firestone Auto Center to look at Elvis’ cars while they were being taken care of.  He said the auto center still maintains the cars to this day.

Elvis Aaron Presley.  What a handsome boy!

After our fabulous meal was over, the Pink Limo gave us the royal treatment with a ride back to our RV.  The driver was a great guy and also told us some interesting stories.

So, now we’re back in the RV.  Eric is reading as I sit here typing.  We will get a good night’s sleep, so we’re ready for GRACELAND tomorrow!

We slept late, but started working right after showers and breakfast.  Eric decided today was the day we were going to put up shelves in the dinette area.  We figure it will look nice, and we’ll be able to unpack a couple of boxes of collectibles and decorative items.  I guess he figures as long as we’re here, we should enjoy our stuff.  I agree!

He actually wants to put shelves around the perimeter of the master bedroom, too, but just one foot off the ceiling.  Then, I can put a lot of my vintage purses and other decorative items on display there, too!  He’s all about storage and display!

I did three loads of laundry.  The laundry room here is really nice.  It’s just a short walk from the apartment down to the laundry room.  I can put the laundry in, come back, do some stuff around the apartment, then go throw it in the dryer and come back again.  Then, I just go pick it up and fold it here.  Very convenient!

We were busy working when the cable guy arrived.  This was the least-stressful and most productive “installment session” yet.  The guy moved the DVR box into the bedroom and put the new digital cable box in the living room.  He checked everything to make sure it was working perfectly and he was gone within a half hour!

After he left, we went to HOME DEPOT to buy pre-cut pine shelves (4 feet long x 10” wide), stain, brackets, screws and everything else we need for this project.  When we got back, I started unpacking boxes (I got through about 4 before I made us a big salad).  Eric started sanding the shelves and will stain them tomorrow.

After we ate, Eric kept working on the shelves and then started cutting up all the boxes I had emptied.  I had emptied 2 or 3 more.  This is quite an accomplishment, but we still have about 50 left!  Some will stay packed for a while, since there’s just no room for everything, but whatever we can unpack, we will.

The best thing I ever did was keep a very detailed list of what was in each box.  It’s a WORD document I typed as I was packing boxes, and then continued as the men were packing us.  So, any time Eric might ask “Where are my spackle knives?,”  I just go to the WORD document, do a search for the word “spackle” and there it is – box #56.  I can see what needs to be unpacked and what we can leave boxed.  Most boxes have a description on the outside, like “Eric’s Tools” or “Craft Supplies” but I have about 10 boxes of Eric’s tools and about 20 boxes of craft supplies, so it helps to have a very thorough listing, so we can find anything quickly.

The best thing about today was that Eric was in a really good mood.  It seems the busier he is, the better he feels.  I guess it takes his mind off the things that are bothering him.  That’s why I think it would be great if he got a job, because keeping busy and working every day would definitely keep his spirits up.

Our friend Jimmy called this afternoon, because he was worried about Eric.  He’s such a good friend.  He sent me emails with links to bicycle clubs, mountain bike trails and even a guy he found on CRAIGSLIST looking for someone to mountain bike with!

Then our friend Jerry called.  He’s going to be staying in Los Angeles for about a month, so we’ll get to see him again for sure.  We visited him in Chicago over Labor Day Weekend, right before he moved south to Urbana, Illinois.  He and I commiserated about the frustration of moving to a smaller space and having no place for your stuff.

Tonight Eric and I watched KITCHEN NIGHTMARES with Chef Gordon Ramsay.  It’s such a great show with plenty of drama.  The Chef goes to a troubled restaurant and whips them into shape.  He’s so volatile that he really pushes people’s buttons, but he knows what he’s doing and he’s always right!  Tonight, he was in a restaurant in Babylon, NY!  You should check it out, if you haven’t already!

Tomorrow we will continue the unpacking and the shelf-building.  We’re on a roll!

I am thrilled to announce that my NUTRISYSTEM food finally arrived today -- 8 days later than Eric's -- and I placed the orders at the SAME TIME!

Anyway, I stayed up late watching TV, so I slept late this morning, and so did Eric.  We didn’t get up until 10:30am!  We watched some TV, relaxed and then got dressed and went to PEARLE VISION to get our eyes examined and get new glasses.  We haven’t had eye examinations or prescription updates since 2001!

My glasses were still working for me, but they were all loose and stretched out and they would fall off my face all the time.  If they weren’t attached by the old lady chain around my neck, they would fall to the floor!

We filled out forms (I’ve been doing that a LOT lately) and then they tested our eyes.  After that, we picked out frames and then we had our eyes examined by the doctor.  She said my prescription was only .5 stronger, so my old glasses were still pretty good.   The doctor put drops in both our eyes to dilate our pupils, so she could do another examination.  She had to wait a few minutes for the drops to take effect so a technician worked on my glasses until she fixed them so they don’t fall off my face anymore.  Then, I picked out new frames.

I decided to get new frames, because my glasses are six years old.  I decided I would keep my old ones as a “back up.”  The new glasses are SO cute.  They’re black and pink – Adrienne Vittadini.

These are my new frames.  Aren't they the cutest?

Eric got new titanium frames.  His prescription was slightly stronger than his old one. 
Eric’s union reimburses you up to $300 each for vision, including testing, examination, and glasses or contacts.  So, both of us were able to get tested and get new glasses and it won’t cost us anything.  If I had gotten Dolce & Gabbana glasses, it would have been MUCH more expensive, but I was lucky that the pair I liked best were only $170 and they give you 30% off the lenses and frames, so it was a bargain!

Eric’s frames were as expensive as mine, because he wanted the titanium, which are very lightweight and won’t break as easily as the regular metal or plastic.

After we picked out frames, the doctor examined our eyes with the drops and then we paid for everything and left.

It was after 4:00pm by the time we left.  We got home and I made us a NUTRISYSTEM lunch, which took a little over 3 minutes!  Eric had the CHEESE TORTELLINI and I had TOMATO & CORN CHOWDER.  We both thought they were pretty good!  I gave Eric a bag of NUTRISYSTEM pretzels as a snack for later and left to run some errands and get my hair touched up at HAIRSPRAY SALON.

I brought the clip-on and screw-on earrings that WEAR IT AGAIN SAM didn’t buy to another great vintage store in HILLCREST – FLASHBACKS.  They bought a few pairs and I got a $16 credit, which I will save for Jessica and April when they come to visit this weekend.  It’s a fun shop and this way they can buy themselves something and I’ll already have $16 to put towards their purchases!

When I got back from the salon at 8:00pm I made salads and Eric had the leftovers from our dinner last night and I had MUSHROOM RISOTTO from NUTRISYSTEM.  I thought it was delicious.  See, I’m very easy.  I love hospital food.  I love cafeteria food.  I love frozen TV dinners.  I don’t have a very sophisticated palate.  It’s not that I can’t appreciate REALLY good food, because I can.  It’s just that I can also accept and enjoy lesser quality food and eat it without suffering.  So, this diet will not really be a sacrifice for me.  I just hope it works!

After dinner, Eric and I watched AMERICAN IDOL.  This is really the best time, because they show all the crazies who audition.  Some people just want to be on TV, even though it’s negative and they come off as pitiful or just plain nuts!

I want to mention that I have heard from a lot of our friends and family who are reading this blog and are concerned about me and Eric.  I so appreciate their concern and it means the world to me.  I want you all to know that, as my mother says, “This too shall pass.”  We will be fine.

I am so excited that April and Jessica are coming this weekend.  It really gives me something to look forward to.  I wish all my nieces were coming, but at least I'll get to see two of them!

We are going to have SO much fun!  I have a lot of plans for them.  We will shop, we will go out to eat, we will go sightseeing!  I can’t wait for them to see our little apartment.  It’s so cute and I know they will love it.

I hope seeing the girls will cheer Eric up a little.  He’s very down, but we’re working on it and I’m staying positive and optimistic.  Someone has to!

I stayed up too late last night.  Eric was watching LENO and he kept telling me to go to sleep, but it’s hard when Leno’s so funny!

Anyway, it was painful to get out of bed this morning, but of course I did it.  It really helps to know I’m getting picked up in the mornings, so I really can’t be late!  It’s so pleasant in the mornings.  My ride picks me up, we talk about stuff like what we did the night before, AMERICAN IDOL, and the weather – and occasionally talk about something a little deeper.  The ride is only 15 minutes, so it’s not like we’re in the car a long time.  I get to work just about 8:00am and my boss is never there before 9:00am.

I start by turning on the computer and reading any work emails.  Then I go to YAHOO and read my emails.  Then, I go upstairs to the 7th floor, which is the only place to get decaf coffee (they need their caffeine around here!).  When I get back with my coffee I have my NUTRISYSTEM breakfast, which is usually a packet of cereal or granola, or one of their breakfast scones or muffins.

If I have a book to read (I finished A MILLION LITTLE PIECES this afternoon), I’ll read by book while I eat and then see if there’s anything I need to do regarding the work emails.  Usually there’s not.  I’ll read all the news that’s fit to print on YAHOO NEWS and then maybe email a friend -- usually Jimmy, to see what’s going on with him).  Jimmy and I are pretty much in contact all day, emailing back and forth.  It makes the day much more interesting!

When my boss arrives, sometimes he’ll have something to do.  Other times, like today, he’ll be in conference call after meeting, after conference call, after meeting, and I really don’t have any interaction with him all day.  He answers his own phone – almost every single time and he reads his own emails, makes his own appointments and maintains his own calendar.

I now have my “special project” but it is such boring work that I find I can’t do it for more than a half hour at a time without my eyes crossing.  So, I’ll read for a while, then do my project until I can’t stand it, then read my emails, then see what’s new on YAHOO NEWS, then email Jimmy, then go to the bathroom.

I know, it’s all so exciting.  If someone gives me something to do, I practically jump for joy!  I had a few requests this morning – I had to have 4 copies of a PowerPoint presentation printed, bound and sent to Milwaukee (woo hoo!).  That was my big project for the day. 

I’ll do research online, too – Asheville real estate, Asheville jobs, Asheville hotels (I haven’t booked one yet).  I read about their community theatre and their line-up of shows for 2007 was pretty great.  That’s something to look forward to!

At around 11:30am I got the “tamale man is here” email and I decided I could use some excitement in my life, so I went downstairs to see what it was all about.  I figured I’d buy a tamale and have it with my salad.  Unfortunately, I didn’t know the drill.  The tamale man sells them by the DOZEN – a dozen for $20.  Well, I figured Eric would like them, too, so I went for it.  He had pork, beef, chicken and jalapeno cheese.  He said I could do a mix, but I just got a dozen jalapeno cheese.

He handed me a bag with two tin foil-wrapped packages.  Each contained six.  They were HOT.  I mean so hot that I had to hold the bag by the handles, and not the bottom.  As I was going back into the elevator my boss was coming out.  I thought to myself, “Tamales for the boss?”  A few minutes later he showed up and asked me if I wanted a tamale.  I told him I got some, too – jalapeno/cheese.  He said he’d give me one of his beef or chicken if I gave him a jalapeno/cheese.  I told him I don’t eat meat or chicken, but I’d give him one of mine anyway.

He took it, and we both had one and they were SO SO good and fresh and delicious!  When I emailed and told Jimmy he said we “bonded over tamales.”  It’s true, it was the friendliest we ever were to each other.  He’s very nice, but we really don’t talk much and 99.5% of it is business. 

I put the other 10 tamales in the fridge and ate my little salad.  It was the perfect finish to a great lunch!

My afternoon was pretty much the same routine as the morning – emails, yahoo emails, read book, work on project.  Then, when I finished my book at 2:00pm I panicked.  What was I going to do for three hours?  The afternoon really dragged on and I started yawning.  The less you do, the more tired you are.  Know what I mean?

When I got in the car for the ride home, I really felt like putting my head back and taking a little nap, but of course I didn’t.  When I got home I made a tamale for Eric and me (I know, the scale is definitely going to show it tomorrow!) and I watched DR. PHIL.  I fell asleep again, just like yesterday.  This is a REALLY bad habit to get into and I don’t want to do it anymore, but it feels SO good!

Eric woke me at 8:00pm and I made a NUTRISYSTEM entrée for each of us, but I couldn’t finish mine, so Eric did.

Tomorrow’s Friday again.  I swear, the weeks fly by!  The only plans I have for the weekend are to go to the WHISTLE STOP BAR in North Park for their knitting social on Sunday afternoon.  No, I haven’t learned to knit (although I’d like to!), but a lot of the CRAFT MAFIA meet there just to do their crafts and hang out and they are meeting there to collect donations for the raffle at the CRAFT SHOW.  I’m donating two pieces – one small decoupaged box with gold ball feet and a green felt-lined interior and a small bejeweled silver frame.

Oh, I forgot to mention – Eric’s been working on the RV and he fixed the toilet.  He probably could have fixed it months ago – while we were on the road – but we were always too busy traveling and sightseeing to spend a day with his head in that tiny bathroom.  So, at least one thing is better for our next trip (or if we sell it)!

To every mother out there, friend, family, whomever reads this blog – if you are a mother – I salute you!  I have the greatest respect for motherhood, because it is a challenge I was always afraid to meet.  I never had maternal instincts, and knew it was the hardest job in the world, so I always believed if I couldn’t be the best, I shouldn’t do it at all.  Since Eric felt the same way about fatherhood, we were set!

Nevertheless, watching my sister raise my niece and nephew, my friends raise their babies, and knowing how hard it was for my mother to raise three girls (and do a fabulous job), I knew what great motherhood was and is.

My friend Laurie called today to find out how we’re doing.  I thought it was amazing that SHE was calling ME on Mother’s Day, considering she has a baby, Luke, who will be three.  She is a fabulous mother, but also has two careers to which she is devoted.  She’s lucky to have a wonderful husband.  They make a fantastic team, which is so important.

So, what did I do on Mother’s Day?  Well, Eric took the car this morning to go on another ride.  He was driving about ½ hour to a place where you go 7 miles uphill in order to have a great downhill ride.  He’s done it a few times before, but usually he gets a ride up the hill and just rides his bike downhill.  Today, there was no one to give him a ride, so he rode and mostly walked (because he said it was so steep he couldn’t ride) up the 7 miles in the sun and said he had a headache by the time he finished (it took him an hour-and-a-half).

I thought he was crazy to even attempt it, because I don’t think he has EVER walked 7 miles, let alone uphill in the sun, when he’s not in the best shape, but – hey – he took the challenge and he did it.

Unfortunately, it only takes about a half hour to go down the hill, so the fun part was over pretty fast.  He was home a little after 1:00pm.  I had just been doing stuff around the apartment – paying bills, cleaning my desk, ironing clothes for the week (yuck!) and watching TV.

I went food shopping in the afternoon and it was a slow, complicated process.  Eric is trying to lower his cholesterol and also has to watch his sugar and salt (because he’s also watching his blood pressure).  Do you know it’s almost impossible to watch your fat and salt at the same time?  It seems if they cut the fat they add salt or sugar.  If they cut the salt and sugar, they add fat.  It’s VERY hard.  I read every label, each ingredient, and managed to find healthy alternatives.

I walk over there and then Eric picks me up and carries the heavier bundles, so I don’t have to use my right arm (which still really hurts).  After I put all the packages away, I went into the bedroom to watch more TV, but I fell asleep!

I woke up at 6:00pm and Eric was working out.  After he was done, I made soup for myself and Eric made another chicken wrap with broccoli.  I poured a pint container of soup to have for lunch tomorrow at work.  I’ll also have a tiny cup of low-fat cottage cheese.  I’m sorry to admit I’ve gained back a few pounds, so I really have to get back in the game.

I’m super-frustrated right now, because my left elbow is hurting so much, so yoga is out of the question.  I don’t know how riding the bicycle would be (driving even hurts, so I’ve been trying to drive with only my right arm).  I am so frustrated, because I know I need aerobic exercise in order to lose weight, and I just can’t seem to find something that’s not going to hurt!  I know beauty is pain, but is exercise pain, too?

Since I couldn’t get a new DICK FRANCIS out of the library, or the bookstore, I will be taking a CLIVE BARKER book called THE THIEF OF ALWAYS.  I hope it’s good.  My boss will be back from his business trip, but I don’t anticipate being very busy.  Maybe he’ll surprise me!

To every mother out there, friend, family, whomever reads this blog – if you are a mother – I salute you!  I have the greatest respect for motherhood, because it is a challenge I was always afraid to meet.  I never had maternal instincts, and knew it was the hardest job in the world, so I always believed if I couldn’t be the best, I shouldn’t do it at all.  Since Eric felt the same way about fatherhood, we were set!

Nevertheless, watching my sister raise my niece and nephew, my friends raise their babies, and knowing how hard it was for my mother to raise three girls (and do a fabulous job), I knew what great motherhood was and is.

My friend Laurie called today to find out how we’re doing.  I thought it was amazing that SHE was calling ME on Mother’s Day, considering she has a baby, Luke, who will be three.  She is a fabulous mother, but also has two careers to which she is devoted.  She’s lucky to have a wonderful husband.  They make a fantastic team, which is so important.

So, what did I do on Mother’s Day?  Well, Eric took the car this morning to go on another ride.  He was driving about ½ hour to a place where you go 7 miles uphill in order to have a great downhill ride.  He’s done it a few times before, but usually he gets a ride up the hill and just rides his bike downhill.  Today, there was no one to give him a ride, so he rode and mostly walked (because he said it was so steep he couldn’t ride) up the 7 miles in the sun and said he had a headache by the time he finished (it took him an hour-and-a-half).

I thought he was crazy to even attempt it, because I don’t think he has EVER walked 7 miles, let alone uphill in the sun, when he’s not in the best shape, but – hey – he took the challenge and he did it.

Unfortunately, it only takes about a half hour to go down the hill, so the fun part was over pretty fast.  He was home a little after 1:00pm.  I had just been doing stuff around the apartment – paying bills, cleaning my desk, ironing clothes for the week (yuck!) and watching TV.

I went food shopping in the afternoon and it was a slow, complicated process.  Eric is trying to lower his cholesterol and also has to watch his sugar and salt (because he’s also watching his blood pressure).  Do you know it’s almost impossible to watch your fat and salt at the same time?  It seems if they cut the fat they add salt or sugar.  If they cut the salt and sugar, they add fat.  It’s VERY hard.  I read every label, each ingredient, and managed to find healthy alternatives.

I walk over there and then Eric picks me up and carries the heavier bundles, so I don’t have to use my right arm (which still really hurts).  After I put all the packages away, I went into the bedroom to watch more TV, but I fell asleep!

I woke up at 6:00pm and Eric was working out.  After he was done, I made soup for myself and Eric made another chicken wrap with broccoli.  I poured a pint container of soup to have for lunch tomorrow at work.  I’ll also have a tiny cup of low-fat cottage cheese.  I’m sorry to admit I’ve gained back a few pounds, so I really have to get back in the game.

I’m super-frustrated right now, because my left elbow is hurting so much, so yoga is out of the question.  I don’t know how riding the bicycle would be (driving even hurts, so I’ve been trying to drive with only my right arm).  I am so frustrated, because I know I need aerobic exercise in order to lose weight, and I just can’t seem to find something that’s not going to hurt!  I know beauty is pain, but is exercise pain, too?

Since I couldn’t get a new DICK FRANCIS out of the library, or the bookstore, I will be taking a CLIVE BARKER book called THE THIEF OF ALWAYS.  I hope it’s good.  My boss will be back from his business trip, but I don’t anticipate being very busy.  Maybe he’ll surprise me!

I didn’t go to sleep until 2:00am last night.  It wasn’t that I was laying there watching TV.  Oh, no!  I was busy!

After I finished decoupaging, I sat down at the computer to blog.  It took me a long time, and then, when I was almost done I went to Greg Jbara’s website to download his picture (isn’t he a handsome boy?).  That’s when I saw that he will be starring in BILLY ELLIOT on Broadway this fall – as Billy’s father!  I had no idea!  It’s so funny, because when we saw him in MONK on Friday night, Eric said, “Don’t you think Greg will go back on Broadway again?” and I said I didn’t think so, because he has two school-age sons and I thought he was now pretty settled in L.A. and seemed to be getting a lot of work.  Boy, was I wrong!

I spent the next 45 minutes getting tickets.  The show goes into previews in October and opens in November.  We will be in NY in November – at Thanksgiving – to attend Jessica and Ken’s wedding.  I got two tickets for the Monday before Thanksgiving.  I figure we’ll see the show Monday night, see friends on Tuesday and probably go up to New Paltz on Wednesday to spend Thanksgiving with my sisters.  Then, we’ll come back down on Friday morning and the wedding is Friday night.

We had already planned to get to New York way before Thanksgiving, because we don’t want to deal with the craziness of travel at that time.  They say it is the worst time of the year to fly, so we figured we’d get there before and leave afterward.  Actually, now, we think we’ll drive to Charlotte after the wedding and fly home from Charlotte.  So, we’re working in a trip to NC along with the wedding!

Anyway, after I bought the tickets, I looked at the entire cast list and we actually know someone else in the show!  Merle Louise, who we ALSO befriended through Dick Gallagher!  What a small world!  Eric and I worked for Merle for a long time in the early 90s, because he and Billy did a lot of carpentry and painting work in her apartment and I did some faux painting and organizing for her.

We also babysat for her 5 ½ foot red-tailed boa constrictor for 18 months.  Those of you who remember us having a snake for a while may not have known to whom it belonged.  Well, it was Merle's!  She’s back on Broadway and we couldn’t be happier!

We saw her in KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN – she originated the role of Molina’s mother.  She was also in the original casts of LA CAGE AUX FAUX (Mme. Dindon), COMPANY (Susan), SWEENEY TODD (the Beggar Woman), and INTO THE WOODS (multiple roles).  She is one of those great actresses that you may never have heard of, but who has been working steadily in the theatre for the last 50 years!  She started on Broadway in 1959 in GYPSY, eventually moving up to play Dainty June.

Anyway, I could not be more thrilled to see BILLY ELLIOT, because I loved the movie, it’s Elton John’s music, and we know two people in the cast.  I want to see at least one other show when we’re there, but we’ll probably just go to TKTS!

So, by the time I was done with all that, it was after 1:00am and I watched the newest episode of PROJECT RUNWAY before going to sleep.  The good news is I actually managed to sleep until 9:30am this morning!  Eric and I both got up and took showers and got dressed, because we had someplace to go!  We had picked up a flyer on Friday night at the STUDIO DINER about the 2nd Annual Charity Chili Cookoff to benefit the San Diego Marine Corps League’s “Injured Marine Fund.”  It was being held right next door to the STUDIO DINER.  We had been to a chili cookoff about 20 years ago in New Paltz and we had a great time.

This one had 31 different chefs cooking up chili, but we were disappointed to find out that not only wasn’t there any vegetarian chili, but there was only beef and pork – no chicken chili or turkey chili.  When we were in New Paltz, they had chili made of everything – from deer to snake to turkey, along with vegetarian, but I think there were a lot more than 30 vendors.

At first, we were trying to eat more beans and less meat, but then we just gave up and tried each one.  They give you the tiniest cups in the world and you’re eating about a tablespoon of each one.  They gave us a green sheet with ten circles on it and each chef puts his booth number in one of the ten circles.  You’re supposed to get to taste only 10 for $5, but we were very sneaky.  We’d each go to different booths and taste each others (so we were only eating a tablespoon of each one), but we got to taste a lot more -- about 20 of the 31!

There were a few we really loved – they had a real kick to them – and others that were kind of watery, or tasted too much like ketchup!  After we tasted 20 (10 each on our sheets) we filled out our ballots with our 1st, 2nd and 3rd favorites and put them in the ballot box.  The winner only gets $100, but they also get bragging rights and get a great ribbon!

It was pretty hot out today and eating the spicy chili had us both sweating up a storm.  We bought a bottled water, but when that was gone and we had voted for our favorites, we walked next door to the STUDIO DINER to get something more refreshing.

The place was packed.  It’s definitely a gold mine!  We sat at the counter and each got a chocolate egg cream (haven’t had one of those in a while and it was so sweet and cold!) and we shared a piece of hot apple pie with ice cream.

The had a classic car show outside the diner, but they were mostly 1950s custom hotrods (they looked like trucks to me).  They were FORDS and CHEVYS.  There was also a CORVETTE and a MUSTANG, and that’s what Eric much prefers, so we spent some time looking at them.  I was SO mad at myself because, for a change, I forgot my camera!!!!!

We decided to drive down to MISSION BAY and lay out by the water under a tree for a while on a blanket.  There was such a nice breeze blowing and we watched all the people out on their waverunners and small motor boats.

When we got back to the apartment we immediately got the laundry together and put two loads in and walked to KEIL’S (prounounced “Kyle’s”) with the little cart.  We did a fast food shopping and were back with 15 minutes to spare before the laundry had to go in the dryer!

I put everything in the dryer for my “quick steam spin” and then Eric carried it all upstairs and we put it all on the line.  I then finished my book (FINALLY!) and then took a nap.  When I woke up at 6:30pm I cleaned out Conrad’s cage – finally.  Eric held him on his finger the whole time I was cleaning it and vacuuming.  I think he likes Eric better than me!

When that was done I started dinner.  We had corn dogs and a big salad.  Yummy!  I bought us a nice piece of Mahi Mahi today at KEIL’S, but Eric had a hankering for corn dogs and you know if he wants a vegetarian corn dog, I’m going to make him one!

My phone hasn’t been working since Saturday afternoon.  I couldn’t make or receive calls!  I tried charging it and I tried calling for assistance, but AT&T support is only available during the week!  Then, I emailed Jimmy and told him my phone was broken and he emailed back: “Did you try turning it off and on?”  Well, I hadn’t, but I did and it was fixed.  Yay, Jimmy!  He’s my genius!

Eric was watching some BEATLES tribute band called RAIN on TV and I watched GHOST WHISPERER and some other shows in the bedroom.  I finished up my file folder and pendaflex labels project during commercials.

Then, I watched the season finale of DESIGN STAR.  Jennifer, my favorite designer, won – she’s the next DESIGN STAR and will have her own HGTV design show in the fall.  The winners of season one and two – David Bromstead (COLOR SPLASH) and Kim Myles (MYLES OF STYLE) are both doing very well, so it seems like winning this contest really gets your TV design career started!

Some of the contestants were very snobby because they have a degree in design.  They mentioned that if you don’t have a degree in design you’re merely a decorator, rather than a designer.  I always thought of myself more as a decorator than a designer anyway, so I guess I was right!

I worked on my decoupaged vase a little more and it’s finally finished, although I’m not thrilled with the results.  When you do custom work you sometimes have to add something you might not have used if you were doing it all on your own.  My friend wanted some vines on the vase, which I had in my package of floral cuttings.  I wasn’t sure they would work, but you do what the client wants and – as Tim Gunn on PROJECT RUNWAY always says, “Make it work!”  I think the result if fine, and I just hope she’s happy!

Eric and I had a great weekend.  We did a lot of fun things, but also got everything accomplished that we wanted to – including cleaning Conrad’s cage, food shopping, laundry, and my decoupage project.  It’s a good feeling!

I napped yesterday, so it was hard to fall asleep and I watched HEADLINES on Leno, which I haven’t watched in months and months.  I went to bed at midnight and I was so tired this morning, although once I’m in the shower, I'm fine.

I had a good morning at work.  I am really getting the hang of this job, but I still feel that I need to have my work reviewed before I send anything out.  I tend to forget little things, like cc’ing the right person, or attaching a document.  They’re little mistakes, but they would require me to resend a document, which is something I’d like to avoid!  Anyway, the two people I’ve been working with are SO great and I really like them, but I’d still like to work full time in HR.  The boss of KRM is coming back on Thursday and we’re supposed to sit down and discuss the situation, so I’ll see what she says.

When I got to HR I had a couple of projects to complete.  There’s always something to do, so I don’t get bored, but it’s not stressful at all, because there’s no pressure or deadlines.  In the afternoon all the girls went to a meeting, except for me and another woman who sits right next to me.  She’s the only one in the group who’s older than me.  I think she’s 52.  I’m second oldest.  The boss of the group just turned 50.  I think the next oldest is in her mid-40s, and then the rest are in their 20s and 30s.

While everyone was at the meeting, I took all their papers to be shredded and shredded two bags full.  I really enjoy that.  It’s gratifying to see it all get “eaten.”  This machine works great.  You can do a lot more pages than I ever could with my stupid little shredders from STAPLES.

I was emailing with Jimmy in San Francisco and he mentioned that they had Chinese for lunch.  I told him that we eat Japanese sushi all the time, and occasionally have Thai food, but we haven’t had Chinese since we first arrived in San Diego last November.  We went to a place in Pacific Beach and it was awful.  Just plain awful.  It was the worst cliché of Chinese food.  We’ve avoided Chinese ever since.  Until tonight!

Jim suggested I try YELP (Real People, Real Reviews), which would help me by letting me read reviews written on various restaurants in San Diego.  I found a couple, but then he also suggested I ask my co-workers.  I asked my ride and she told me about a block off Balboa called CONVOY, where there are tons of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese restaurants.  That’s the block where I had taken Eric for Vietnamese on his birthday!

We just decided to drive over there and find a place.  We settled on a place that had Vietnamese AND Chinese, but we only got Chinese dishes.  We ordered Spring Rolls, Young Chow Fried Rice, and Shrimp in Black Bean Sauce.  Those are the dishes we used to order from TOFU, our favorite Japanese/Chinese restaurant in Bayside (there’s also one in Roslyn).

Everything was delicious.  The Young Chow Fried Rice was as good as in TOFU, and the shrimps were large and perfectly cooked in a spicy black bean sauce with onions and green pepper.  We brought home some and Eric and I will both have lunch for tomorrow!  I also brought home the leftover white rice for Conrad.  I really doubt that he’ll touch it, but they say white rice is good for birds, so I’m hoping he’ll have the guts to try it out.  He’s such a scaredy cat (I mean bird).  There’s definitely no adventure in THAT boy!

Eric wanted to go for gelato, but I felt guilty enough having all that food without going “all the way.”  So, we came home and had our WEIGHT WATCHERS desserts.  Our only stop on the way home was to fill up on gas -- $3.99 a gallon.  WOW!  That’s such a bargain here in San Diego!

We watched KITCHEN NIGHTMARES at 8:00pm.  This week it was about an Irish Pub in Westhampton, which was run by a father and his two sons.  This time, we were happy to learn that – 8 months after the show first aired, the restaurant is alive and well – thriving – thanks to Gordon Ramsey.

After that we watched AMERICA’S GOT TALENT.  We always enjoy the variety of acts they have and seeing someone’s dream come true as they perform in front of thousands and get a standing ovation.  It’s great television!

I took a lot of pictures of my vase last night, but I’m not happy with any of them, so I’ll have to have another photo session tomorrow.  Eric has already put about 4 coats of varnish on the vase, so it’s practically done.  I’ll let it dry and “cure” for a few more days and bring it to work on Friday.  I promise, I’ll have pictures of my latest creation on the blog by the weekend!

We both went to sleep pretty early last night – around 10:30pm, and I got a good night’s sleep, but Eric’s neck was bothering him, and he had a headache, so he slept less than usual – which isn’t much to begin with.

I got to work and kept pretty busy all morning with a couple of projects.  Then, around 10:30am, I finished up what I had to do and started helping this girl with her files.  She wanted to clean out some old stuff, send it to storage, and make room for other more up-to-date files to be moved into these drawers.  We had a lot of fun, talking while we were working, and it made the time pass quickly.

I went down to HR for lunch.  I had brought the last of the NUTRISYSTEM flat bread pizzas with me to make in the microwave.  When I showed my friend how it comes in three plastic bags – one with the flat bread, another with the sauce, and a third with the cheese, she though it was so funny.  I made the pizza and ate it while I worked.  It was pretty busy in HR today and I was busy working until Eric picked me up at 4:45pm.

We had a great session with the therapist and I think she is really helping.  Afterwards, we went to PAT & OSCAR’S for dinner.  The firm had given everyone two coupons for BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE and we decided to use them.

It’s kind of a fast-food place in that you go up to a counter, place your order, and then they give you silverware, a glass, and a food order number and you go get your own drink.  Then, you sit down, put the number on a stand, and wait for them to bring you your food.

I ordered the Chipotle Salad, which had corn, beans, avocado, and chips along with cucumber, lettuce and tomato.  It was really delicious.  Eric got the barbecue chicken with a Caesar salad and it comes with breadsticks.   It was fast, convenient and tasty, and I have another coupon – so we’ll definitely be back!

When we got home I cleaned out Conrad’s cage, which is a whole production.  First, Eric takes his cage and puts it on the table in the dining room.  Then, we move everything in the bedroom and vacuum all around.  Then, I take his cage apart and clean all the pieces, while Eric holds him on his finger.  He really seems to like Eric and will sit on his finger the whole time.  When the cage is all back together, we put him back in!

There wasn’t much on TV, so we watched a little of the Olympics and the Daily Show.  I want to get to bed early, because I have a big weekend ahead of me.  If I don’t blog on time, you’ll know it’s because I’m busy with Ilene.  I promise, you’ll hear all about our fabulous weekend together – with lots of pictures!  Eric’s really looking forward to it, too.  He loves Ilene, and he feels better when we’re out and about with people.  So, we’re both looking forward to it a lot!

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?