Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / On The Road / From MHC West

From MHC West

April 18, 2010 at 10:50 am by Claudia

The view from my balcony on this foggy morning.

Hello dear friends. I arrived safely in San Diego yesterday afternoon. I was going on 2 hours of sleep (for some reason I lie awake for hours when I know I have to get up very early!) and the journey was long. By the time I got to the apartment, I was definitely dragging.I’m in the same apartment I was in last year. When I returned home last summer, I left some things behind. Some of them are still here…and others are missing. Hmmm. I had to rearrange things like they were last year so that I could feel more at home. I shipped two boxes here and they were waiting for me in the apartment – things like my own bedding, a pretty shower curtain and some little things to make it more like home. Since I stayed here for 6 months last year, I knew exactly what was needed. Believe me, the bedspread and the shower curtain that are normally on display at the apartment are ugly. I have to have some prettiness around me if I’m going to stay here for 10 weeks!

I walked to Trader Joe’s (oh, I love that place) and carried two bags of groceries back to the apartment. I have a rental car here but past experience tells me that it is impossible to park there on a weekend. So I walked. The bags were very heavy (remember, I had only 2 hours sleep) and I thought I might not make it back! But I did. I settled in as best I could and then I just watched television until 9:00 (midnight back east) and went to bed. I woke up at 5:30 this morning and I feel much better.

I’m catching up on blogs and then I have to walk over to the theater to meet with a director. Then I plan to go to IKEA and pick up a few things. I am on a much stricter budget than I was last year….so I must be frugal.

I’ll be back with more news and photos soon.

Filed Under: On The Road, San Diego 23 Comments

Comments

  1. Diva Kreszl says

    April 18, 2010 at 11:10 am

    so happy to hear you made it safe, hope yiou get all caught up on your sleep soon. Look forward to more pics and tales of your adventure :)

    Reply
  2. Marsha (Sassy Mini Dolls) says

    April 18, 2010 at 11:41 am

    Welcome back to your “other” home!!

    xxoo

    Reply
  3. Brynwood Needleworks says

    April 18, 2010 at 11:46 am

    Glad you arrived safely, Claudia. How difficult it must be to be away from home and loved ones for an extended period. I hope the time moves quickly for you, and that you’re back with your sweetheart as well as Scout and Riley, too!
    xoxo
    Donna

    Reply
  4. the gardeners cottage says

    April 18, 2010 at 11:54 am

    Hi Claudia,

    Welcome back to So. Cal.

    Do you not have a Trader Joes at home?

    Can’t wait to see more pics.

    ~janet

    Reply
  5. Beth says

    April 18, 2010 at 11:55 am

    Claudia,
    Glad you arrived safe and sound. Hopefully 10 weeks will go by quickly! The longest I’ve been away from my husband – and I was the one who stayed at home – was 4 weeks. At times it did feel long. He was on a work assignment too. Sometimes we have to do what we have to do ;-) The rest of us are just a blog post/email away!
    hugs,
    Beth

    Reply
  6. Connie says

    April 18, 2010 at 11:57 am

    I love San Diego, honey. We lived in 3 different places there. One was near Balboa Park and the zoo, another was across from MCRD and one was on W. Mountain View Drive. I loved all three. Kids were small then and we could walk to the zoo. But we spent our time on the beach a lot also. It was a fun time. I hope you do well there and can return home safely.
    xoxo,
    Connie

    Reply
  7. Julia - "Vintage with Laces" says

    April 18, 2010 at 12:23 pm

    Hi Claudia, even though you are in a wonderful area, I can imagine that you miss not only your husband but as well your lovely garden. Good idea to surround yourself with some prettiness to feel more at home. Hopefully the 10 weeks will pass fast for you.
    Hugs,
    Julia

    Reply
  8. AshTreeCottage says

    April 18, 2010 at 12:34 pm

    Hi Claudia! I’m glad to hear that you made it to San Diego safely. I like Trader Joe’s too. Wish we had one here in Idaho. Stay in touch and I’ll be sending you happy thoughts!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

    Reply
  9. Cozy Little House says

    April 18, 2010 at 12:34 pm

    I’m so glad you arrived safely. I do the same thing. Can’t sleep the night before going somewhere. Find some pretties at IKEA to make the stay pleasurable. Treat yourself because you are worth it. And you know you need that to quell your longing for home.
    Brenda

    Reply
  10. Meri Wiley says

    April 18, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    Hi Neighbor!

    Well, we’re practically next door to each other now since you’re just in the state next door. Your only a 6 hour drive away from me! Hmmmmmmm maybe we can figure something out!

    Hugs,
    Meri

    Reply
  11. Leann says

    April 18, 2010 at 2:10 pm

    So glad that you made it there safe and sound! I’ve never been to Trader Joe’s but have heard great things.

    Make sure that you rest!
    Leann

    Reply
  12. She'sSewPretty says

    April 18, 2010 at 2:58 pm

    Claudia,
    I hope the time goes by fast until you can be home again. In the mean time, take advantage of our beautiful state. I’d come take you to lunch if I weren’t so far from SD.

    Reply
  13. Rizzi says

    April 18, 2010 at 4:24 pm

    HI CLAUDIA,
    HOPE YOU CAN CATCH UP ON ALL YOUR SLEEP, YOU WILL SURE FEEL BETTER. EVEN WHEN I GO ON VACATION, I DON’T SLEEP THAT WELL, AND IT CAN GET TO YOU. MAKE SURE YOU EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST THE RIGHT FOOD ALWAYS MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD. I HOPE YOU GET TO ENJOY YOURSELF AS WELL. NJ IS COOL, AND CLEAR, IT FEELS GOOD. TAKE CARE, RIZZI

    Reply
  14. Karen says

    April 18, 2010 at 6:51 pm

    Hi Claudia,
    I’m looking forward to hearing about your 10-week adventure in California. We don’t have Trader Joe’s, but it sure seems to be a popular spot. Good luck getting settled in!

    Reply
  15. Paula says

    April 18, 2010 at 8:24 pm

    Your safely on the ground yay! How you could do it on 2 hours sleep I don’t know!!
    The view is lovely!

    Reply
  16. Terri says

    April 18, 2010 at 8:58 pm

    I am so glad you are there and getting settled in. How fab that you are doing special things for yourself to feel at home. The shower curtain and bedding are a great help I am sure!
    I used to live in S.Cal for almost a dozen years, and I loved Trader Joe’s! And you can walk there, that is really good!
    Hopefully you will feel better as the week progresses and you adjust to your new time zone.
    Hugs to you,
    Terri

    Reply
  17. Julia says

    April 18, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    I like the view! It does help to have your own pretty things around you, I’m sure. I hope your time passes swiftly!

    Reply
  18. Jill says

    April 18, 2010 at 10:40 pm

    Glad you arrived safely, Claudia. I love that you are nesting in your apartment– it’s a MUST, isn’t it? Hope you get some sleep, my friend!
    Hugs,
    Jill
    PS: LOVE Trader Joes– have one around the corner from me!

    Reply
  19. Miss Gracie's House says

    April 18, 2010 at 11:14 pm

    Hi Claudia…I’ve been busy getting caught up…you have so much going on…such an interesting occupation!
    and I’m sorry for the loss of your 2 dear friends…thank you so much for your kind words for me and my family!
    Rene’

    Reply
  20. Mary says

    April 18, 2010 at 11:27 pm

    Pleased to know you made it to San Diego safely and are getting settled in. Like your ideas of making the apartment feel more home, that is always comforting when away from home.

    Those were beautiful photos of your garden blooms Claudia.

    Stay well and enjoy your time in So. Cal.

    Hugs – Mary

    Reply
  21. MyThoughtsMyVoice says

    April 19, 2010 at 1:10 am

    Hello Claudia,

    You arrived safely . . . though as I read, very tired but still, you are safe.

    I have only experience I major move in my entire life and I can still remember what it was like being in a new place and adjusting to everything. But you did go back to you same apartment so I guess it feels much better, yes?

    I’m sure you will turn this new place into something that is part of your home. And hey, when you will be busy – time will surely fly fast. Before you know it, you’re back at MHC! :-)

    Mizpah,
    Li

    Reply
  22. Tallulah Belle says

    April 19, 2010 at 1:04 pm

    Glad you arrived here safely Claudia.

    Sorry the weather wasn’t’ better though :-)

    Have fun at Ikea.

    Reply
  23. Mrs. Staggs says

    April 19, 2010 at 5:56 pm

    I’m so glad that you made it safely, Claudia, and it settles as if you’ve started to settle in a bit.

    I enjoyed watching you create a pretty place to live last time you were there. Home is important, no matter how temporary it is.

    xo
    Lena

    Reply
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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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