Family Thanksgiving

     We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  It's one of my favorite holidays.  First, because we all get together for dinner with immediate family, in-laws, and friends who have no where to go, and second it is spiritually satisfying for me to give thanks for all our blessings.  Each of us told the group what we were thankful for.  Of course, health, family, and abundance top the list.  But our oldest (15) grandson was thankful he could read, and other grandchildren also had unique answers. I am very grateful for my memories.  As I get older, memories become more vivid and important.  

      As our children  married and had their own families, it became more complicated to get together.   Our daughter's in-laws live in New York, and every other year they go there for Thanksgiving.  Our other two children have similar situations sometimes where they go elsewhere.  This year, we  were all there.

     Our son Ken and his wife Samara hosted the dinner, which I should have photographed.  It was beautifully prepared and served, with the highlight being two turkeys; one roasted, and one fried.  Fried turkey is a new thing, but boy it was delicious.

     The day after Thanksgiving we all went to our new vacation home in Palm Desert.  It was the first time we had anyone  stay at the house, and the first time our kids had seen it. One son's family can't come until Christmas, but we were 10 having a great time.   Unfortunately, the pool pump broke, and the temperature was too cold to swim.  But, they had their digital devices to play with, brought their bikes and went riding, our son took a run early each morning, our son-in-law took a 100 mile round trip bicycle  ride (it's his thing..he rides in charity rides), we went shopping, went to great restaurants with the 10 of us, and to top it off, we went to a street fair.

     Palm Desert has a massive street fair on the college campus every weekend, rain or shine, winter and summer, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  It was fantastic.  They were selling everything from Dental tools (who would buy them?  Do it yourself dentistry?  UGH!) to Artisan made jewelry, clothing of all types, etc.  It was lots of fun walking around and buying things at great prices.  Next time I go I will take pictures and post them.  

   All in all, it was a great weekend.

   

 

WOOF!

Webber at 5. The Adoption Day

Ready For The Snow in his Sweatshirt

Chilling Out: Very Furry Dog

Unfortunately, our precious pal has passed away.  He was ill and we had to put him down.  We had him for 4 years.  He was probably the world's biggest Bichon Frise.

He was smart, funny, loving, loyal, and just plain cute. That is more than we can say for a lot of humans.

R.I.P. Webber

Beadnick

      I have been looking for a new hobby that is creative, colorful, and doesn't make a permanent mess.  I discovered jewelry making, specifically beading.  I went to the "bead show" at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, a huge venue for all types of activities, especially craft shows.
      I had two necklaces with me that had broken and I hoped to find a vendor who could either fix them or sell me the materials to fix them myself.  I walked into the site and was astonished.  I wish I could have taken a picture that captured the enormity of the show.  As soon as I walked in I knew that I will have to take classes to learn how to bead.  Every vendor, and there were hundreds, had thousands of beads on strings.  They were categorized by types, i.e. crystal, wood, stone, Chinese pendants, wood from Africa, etc. I was bedazzled!  How does one even start a project?
      Then a nice lady vendor asked if she could help me.  I took out the first necklace that was missing a clasp.  She fixed it immediately  When I showed her the 40" multi-color, multi-shape, multi-material piece that was missing two stones and had a worn out string, she blew me away.  She said, "do you want me to teach you how to re-design and re-string it?"  I jumped at the chance for a private lesson in beginning beading...just as I was feeling overwhelmed by the variety for sale.  We worked for 2 hours; she did half and I did the other half.  I learned how to make a complete necklace, and it came out beautifully. (The photo is not of my necklace, but I like the delicacy of it.  I may use it as a model for another one.)  Then the lady (Nicole) told me she gives classes, but they were in Palm Desert!!!  That is where we have our vacation/part-time home.   It is a wonderful coincidence, and I will see Nicole again.

House Becoming a Home

Workers Assembling the Table

All Put Together

From the Family Room with the New Sofa
So things are shaping up.  We now have a place to sit and relax, and a place to eat.  Now we need to have our carpets installed and have our bed brought in.  We are sleeping on a mattress on the floor.  Many things will be done by the first week in Sept.  Once the carpets are in, the office furniture can be delivered.  Then the breakfast room table and chairs will be delivered as well as our bed.    I bought a beautiful architect's table (sort of a drafting table), made out of wood, so that I can have a nice place to draw and paint in the guest room.  The yard is 1/2 finished; the plants are planted, the little mounds and riverbed are done, although the riverbed doesn't have the rocks in it yet.  The waterfall will be started this week, and they still have a lot to do back there.  We hope it will be wonderful.  I didn't take pictures of the yard because so far it doesn't look like much in the camera lens.  The landscaper is taking pictures of it all along the way and will email them to me....then I can select what to print and/or send.  This is all quite an adventure!

Where Have I Been?

     No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth.  I have been to our vacation house every week at most, meeting with electricians, plumbers, landscapers, carpet company, furniture sales and delivery people, and others; all necessary to put the house in shape for us so we can finally call it a home.  I'm going down tomorrow with plans to take photos of the new, drought resistant yard.  It's not finished yet, but I'm interested in the progress.  They will be delivering our dining room furniture...yea!  We have been eating off the kitchen counter.
     As promised, I'll tell you about the 50th high school reunion.  It was at a real, working horse ranch.  We drove almost 2 hours to get there  but it was a great piece of property.  The alumnus who owns it was an orthopedic surgeon before he retired to ranching.  How does one get from one to the other?  The food was catered BBQ, with pork ribs, chicken, chili, salad, and plenty of margaritas.  The only problem with the reunion was that everyone looked SO OLD!!!!!

Hi Again!

   I've been away from the blog for almost a month, and I forgot how much I enjoy checking in on you guys and writing about what's going on.  So, I have to make the time to do it.  Been extremely busy with just "daily living," and we have a big family event this weekend.  We are also going to my husband's high school reunion (55 yrs) at a working ranch.  They said to wear boots!  Does that mean mud?  muck?  horse_____?  Will fill you in after the weekend.

"Tear out the Palms"

Yesterday we met and heard the ideas of three landscapers. One was a landscape architect, one was a designer who owned the landscape company, and one was a designer who does interiors and exteriors. It was very interesting,as we have never done something on such a big scale before. The two designers saw visions of a desert scene with boulders, rocks, interesting plants and palms, and Howard's wish, a rugged cascading waterfall into the pool. The architect said the yard didn't go with the house. His vision included "hardscape," and included a seating area with a firepit so we could sit outside on winter nights and look at the stars, an outside kitchen, and stones, rocks and water "installation" that had a southwestern or Tuscan flair to coordinate with the house. Well, they will submit their proposals, and we will see. One good thing to come out of it is that I really liked the man who is also an interior designer. I think we can work together on the furnishings.
All in all, it will take time, because all this can be done in phases. We are indeed fortunate!!!!!

Workers In The House!

     Well, it has been a while.  I have been so busy for the last few weeks, but when I tried to reconstitute what I've been doing that kept me from blogging, I forgot.  I guess that is "protection" from carrying exhausting memories along forever.  OR, I am just old and forget a lot!
     We have been planning for this Memorial Day Weekend to spend the better part of a week here at the new house in the desert having things repaired, installed, thought about, etc.  Our big goal is making it "cozy," and making it feel like our own.  So, we are planning some furniture changes.  AH, I remember what I was doing that was so stressful.  I was furniture shopping (looking).  We decided to replace the glass dining table and the uncomfortable chairs that are with it with a whole new look.  The issue is, what look do we want, and what look goes with the house and the existing furnishings.  I must have seen 100 dining sets in person, and tons more online.  The more I see, the more confused I get.  I keep going back to the one we liked in the first place.  It's a updated farm trestle table with a slightly distressed top.   So we will see.
     Today, they put in a new garbage disposer, lines for more recessed lighting, a doggy door, and a few other things.  Then we have 3 different landscapers coming to give us ideas and perhaps do the work for a drought resistant, desert landscape in the back yard.  There is a lot to be done, and it will take time, but we have begun!  So, that's all for now.

WHAT A MESS!

     I'm sitting here thinking about cleaning up my desk and shelves.  I share a home office with my very orderly husband; I am anything  but orderly.  I really don't know how he tolerates me.  In our vacation home he has commandeered the "office."  It is HIS...no place for me.  I guess I will be relegated to the kitchen desk, or maybe put a little one in the bedroom.
     My desk here at home is so messy, and the shelves so disorganized that I am to embarrassed to  take a picture to post in this blog.  I have computer manuals that are so outdated they practically tell you how to use a "floppy disk."  I have a variety of books, such as "Women and Money," and "Great Bordellos of the World."  Now, I'm not thinking of going into the field of prostitution to make a little cash on the side.  My friend and I  did a presentation for our study group at UCLA on The History of Prostitution.  We didn't call it that, though we should have.  We called it Concubines, Courtesans, and Ladies of the Night.  Cute?  Well, we had men sign up for the class who thought it was going to be "racier" than it really was.  They dropped out.  But those who stayed had a terrific 14 weeks.
     Well, back to the desk.  I really don't know where or how to begin to organize it.  I have to throw so many things out it isn't funny.  I love paper....any kind.  I seem to collect journals.  I can't seem to get myself to write in one, at least regularly.  But every time I see a new style, or size, or cover I buy it.  So what do I do with them all?  Most are blank.  I guess I should give journal-ling a try!  Can't throw out beautiful journals!
     I think I'd better get back to the task!

Country Music and Cacti

This weekend we are going to "Stagecoach," a huge annual country music festival. It will be held at the Polo Grounds in a desert town near our new vacation home. We're looking forward to seeing and hearing big stars, and just enjoying the festival. My only fear is that with festival seating (you sit on the grass) once I'm down, I won't be able to get up!!!!
Well, we put our home in the mountains ( Lake Arrowhead) up for sale. We enjoyed it for 19 years, but haven't gone up there much lately. Time to move on. Husband nearing retirement, and we wanted a place that we conceivably could make our permanent home...thus, beautiful home in Palm Desert.
Bye for now.

Country Music and Cactus

This weekend we are going to a huge annual Country Music Festival in the desert. It features top country singers like Kenny Chesney and Willie Nelson.. I'm not sure who will be there this year. They had scheduled Loretta Lynn for old times sake, but she had a knee injury and cancelled. In her place will be Kris Kristoferson. I am very excited, there will be a lot going on, like a 33 chef BBQ cook-off, and other activities. I hope the crowds and "festival seating" on the grass at the polo Grounds don't do me in.
Well, we finally put our home in the mountains up for sale. Kind of an end of an era, but we got 19 years of pleasure out of it. We have some decorating to do inside the "new"desert house, and we want to spruce up the yard with professional desert landscaping. We don't want to tackle landscape planning in the new environment by ourselves. So, bye until another day.

Sailing Home

I only have a few minutes, but I want to say that we have had a wonderful cruise.  We are on our last day, sailing for Florida.  Saw lots of interesting things and met some very nice folks.  Panama Canal was extraordinary!  Will write more, and include pictures when I get back to Los Angeles next week.

Ironing during the Tsunami

     So much laundry. I got it all washed, but the ironing isn't done yet. I have a lot of trouble consolidating my wardrobe so that I can take one major suitcase. I can do it, but not without considerable angst. I think I have to iron everything wrinkled that I might want to take, just in case. This being a cruise to the tropics, I anticipate the need for clean fresh things every day......forget that the ship Laundromat is down the hall from our room. Of course they have valet service as well; I'm just insecure. We will be staying with friends in Boca Raton, Florida for a few days at the end of the cruise.  I need fresh clothes for that, too. I know my musings sound shallow, they are all about appearance. Oh well, so what?
     Big news today is the earthquake in Japan and the Tsunami causing so much damage. It's a terrible disaster.  We live about six blocks from the pacific coast. There is a Tsunami warning sign ONE BLOCK from our house. It says, "End Tsunami Zone.". The other side of the sign says "Tsunami evacuation Zone." We only noticed it last year.....we better huddle together on the 2nd floor, just in case.

Old Folks Home?

     Hi, sorry for the absence from the blog...been very busy!  I spent the weekend by myself at our new home, just taking inventory, stocking shelves, etc.  I couldn't help but notice, what to me is a phenomena.  The home is in Palm Desert, California, an upscale retreat for the weekend and holidays, and ALSO a winter home for "snowbirds" from the frozen eastern US and from Canada.  The thing is, a large segment of the people seeking a retreat are over 60.  Well, maybe over 70.  I am discounting the young families with children who come down for Spring or Winter Break. 
     The older set eats early, very early, and they like to go out to eat.  I thought I would beat the crowd and get to the restaurant for a 5:00 dinner (I like to eat early, too).  I had to park two blocks away from several good eateries, even though they had valet parking.  The valets were mobbed.  The place I chose has great food, is casual, and is comfortable for a person alone.   I had to "wade" my way through the bar full of partying seniors to get to my tiny table.  It was surrounded by large parties of, you guessed it, older folks (around my age).  A friend told me that "Happy Hour" in the desert starts around 4:00, and by 6:30 or 7:00 PM the restaurants empty out.  WHAT DO YOU DO AT 6:30????  I guess your fun evening just begins.  Or, you go home and watch TV.
     I had the same problem with the crowds as I tried to get into several restaurants for breakfast (I hadn't bought food for the house yet).  I think we are going to eat at home a lot!!
     You know, Palm Desert is a good place to open a business selling canes and walkers!  

Ahhhh Vacation Time

Part of Casita guestroom

Office

Master Bedroom

Kitchen

I have had a request to post photos of our new vacation
home.  We aren't in there yet; these are the realtor's photos from the internet.

Pool and Spa

Happy New Year

     I've been gone from my blog for a while, but still here at home.  Holidays were busy, but now it is January, 2011, and I'm trying to clear my mind.  We are searching for a new vacation home in Palm Desert.  For those who don't know where it is, it is a lovely community south of Palm Springs, CA.  We plan to sell the home in the mountains, Lake Arrowhead, because we haven't been using it as much as we once did.  So I am very excited to be looking at houses, and planning our semi retirement.  Since it gets too hot in the desert in the summer, we will remain in our Marina condo, and use the desert home for part of the week, and probably seldom in the summer.  I know this isn't of much interest to you, but it is uppermost on my mind this week and I thought I would share!