I’m in Hartford. Don drove me here yesterday morning and helped me haul everything up to my room. Then he left and I got sad. Thankfully, I had to hightail it to the rehearsal space for a short rehearsal with one of the young actors in the show. As I walked down the street, hauling my bag full of scripts and reference books, I ran into my friend, Darko, who is the director of The Tempest and the Artistic Director of The Hartford Stage. Seeing my old friend again helped take my mind off seeing my husband drive off.
But now I’m back at the hotel and I’m homesick. I’m staying at the Homewood Suites, which are very nice. Everyone is very helpful and friendly and my suite is a a nice size. It’s done in greens and a lot of brown, which could become depressing after a week or two. I think I need to bring a quilt from home the next time I go home for a couple of days. There is a television in the living room and one in the bedroom, The cable has a very limited amount of channels and no Turner Classic Movies (sob) but I did get to see my Red Sox play on the New England Sports Network, which we don’t get back home. They lost.
I edited all of these photos in PicMonkey with the Papyrus texture. It makes a blah hotel room look a little romantic and a little old worldish.
See how this texture makes the room look much more interesting than it is? I bought the fresh flowers at Trader Joe’s – fresh flowers can really help make a room look like home.
I am sorry you are homesick, Claudia. As the week gets busier I think it will pass…or you will be so tired from your schedule that you won’t be able to think about it. I like the “old world” look created in your pictures,
I had to laugh that you moved furniture around in your hotel room. The kids laugh at me when I do that..that think it is something that only I would o. It is nice to know I am not alone.
Blessings to you on this week away from home! xo Diana
I do envy and I don’t envy your work, Claudia… on the one hand there’s the creativity, the commeradery, the travel! And on the other hand there’s the “away from home”.
I love picmonkey too… was so relieved to find it when Picnik was about to fold…. like, now.
I hope your homesickness eases-
it looks like you have made a wonderful nest for yourself.
Laura
White Spray Paint
It is so hard in the beginning until you have set up a bit of routine and you are busy. Watching your Sox will help.
Mere
You’ve manages to make your little place homier. I love your blog and your beautiful style. Hope you don’t get too homesick.Have a great week.
Your work sounds so amazing! Everyone you teach carries a bit of you into their lives forever!
You and Don have had a very fun and interesting life.
When I/we travel I always bring my own pillow with several pillowcases to change every few days, a quilt and a candle or scent from home to freshen the room and make it more cozy.
Enjoy your stay!
It looks like you’re starting to warm up the suite with your magical touch– flowers are a must , aren’t they? Love that.
Whenever I see your friend Jim on tv I think of you immediately. Oh, how I wish I could have been a fly on the wall of that plane.
Hugs,
Jill
I have 3 umbrellas in my apartment! I can share!
Apparently I have missed something! You are coaching? Actors? My interest is piqued! I am sorry you are feeling homesick though.
Hugs,
Kris
Glad you arrived safely. Your home away from home looks pretty nice. Love the flowers and that you moved the furniture. Sounds like a busy week coming up. This would be a good time for a Kindle. I have been thinking about one. Have a good week.
And you have a good book to read! Haven’t read that one yet. Enjoy your time in Hartford, Claudia, I look forward to seeing the pictures of downtown. We just watched back to back “Big Bang” last night and it never fails to make us laugh. You had good instincts about Jim Parsons, he is a delight.
Ann
I always enjoy stopping by. I hope you have a good week and the homesickness abates. I wonder if I could wear ‘texture glasses’ to make all my rooms look that warm and appealing. lol
Hi Claudia! Well, it looks like you’ve made yourself at home. You have a nice, big bed so you should be able to sleep well. It looks like a nice place. You have your pjs. and your chocolate. You have your computer. Time will go fast, you’ll see. Before you know it, it will be over. And you have us, your blog friends!
I think you have done a nice job of making your rooms welcoming for the next few days. Flowers would do it for me. But I’m sorry you are homesick…hopefully the days will fly as you get involved in your work. Remember, we are always here!
XO,
Jane
I always enjoy reading your blog. We are seeing a production of The Tempest this Thursday by The Tennessee Shakespeare Company.
Claudia,
you didn’t mention crochet? I hope you had a nice Easter. I have to laugh, every trip you make there is a Trader Joes, LOL!! How lucky is that! I just want to go to one close by…n/a.
Anyway, try to enjoy your stay.
xxx Liz
Claudia,
I can sympathize with you from personal experience. We renovate those hotels & I get how you might think it’ll get depressing. Maybe I should get me some glasses like your editing program…Then maybe when I have to go to work, work will seem more romantic & interesting. Tell that hubby of yours to get you a quilt ASAP, the smell of home will make you feel better :o)
OMG I hate to gush but I was a fan of yours BEFORE the Jim Parsons thing! My hubby has had to sit through every single episode of Big Bang Theory and a few two or three times due to my complete love of the series. Very cool story. Probably being away from both your hubby and your animal children makes being away from home even harder. Take care and you soon shall be home to tend to your rock garden, furry friends, hubby and Etsy store.
Ah! A hotel room with a TV and your own bathroom and no one to “do” for! Bliss! I would miss my husband and kids and doggies as well, but, to have a chance to be ALONE! What a treat that would be! I am enjoying just hearing about it!
A quilt, a piece of your turquoise mccoy and some pics of home, bring them next time!
I love how you are making your room as homey as possible. It’s fun hearing about your work with the theater and what goes on behind the scenes.
I’m home again and catching up – why do those words seem a constant in this life I’m leading? I feel almost ‘otherworldly’ as I dash about the real world and I’ll be off again in just 2 months!
Meanwhile, here I am reading about your move into the suites and working in such an interesting environment – and although I know you are missing home, Don and the doggies, I envy you doing what you love for a while. I miss my working days which now seem so long ago – I loved being wrapped up in art and advertising projects, the studio always vibrant and young artists creating amazing work around me. Hopefully you get this feeling in the theatre. By the way, must just say the Royal Theatre on the QE was fabulous and I enjoyed several shows/performances.
Anyway dear friend, what I’m trying to says that I’m, thinking of you tucked into your home away from home – wish I was close by and could come over and chat! You’ve put your stamp on the rooms though, and, like you, I love that PicMonkey……………getting better daily and just hope collage appears soon.
Hang in there Claudia – we’re watching out for you and you can always find us here.
Hugs – Mary
I hope you feel less homesick as the days progress and you get busier, Claudia. I’m like you… I like to personalize the rented spaces I find myself in when I travel, regardless of how short a time I’ll be there!