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!

RAINY DAY

I remember the poem- "Rain rain go away, come again some other day..."  It's pouring outside; cold and windy, too.  I like the rain.  Things smell fresh, the sound of raindrops on the roof and windows is relaxing, and when it ends everything is clean and watered.  But things go crazy in Los Angeles when it rains.  We have huge mudslides in hillside areas that were burned by fire.  Foolish people fall into the swollen LA river...usually just a concrete ravine.  And, of course, the normally wacky drivers become wackier. 
I don't know if being deluged by heavy rain is any better than being snowbound, with freezing cold outside.  People who are snowbound may be forced to stay home by the fire and read, or even work from home by computer, And let's face it, snow covered landscapes make for beautiful photos and cards at this time of year. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL , AND A HEALTHY, PEACEFUL NEW YEAR!

The Plato Society of UCLA

    I am very lucky to belong to a wonderful society comprised of retired and semi-retired people, who come together to learn about a myriad of subjects.  We call our meetings "Study/Discussion Groups," or SDGs.  I have been gone for 4 terms because of my orthopedic issues, but today I rejoined the group.  It was great to be back.
     Each study group – there are about 25 different ones each term – usually consists of 14 participants.  A volunteer Coordinator acts as the group leader, but everyone has the opportunity to lead, to learn and to participate in the discussions.

     The groups meet for two-hours during the day each week for 14 weeks.  Each member becomes the discussion leader for one meeting and is responsible for an in-depth investigation of some aspect of the course topic.  Reading materials are recommended or provided for each week so that all members are prepared to join in lively, well-informed, provocative meetings that make for a truly engaging learning experience.
     The topic for my SDG is "Taking to the Streets; American Social Movements and their Music."  I picked for my presentation, "Music of Oppression: Slavery, spirituals, blues, etc."  It should be very interesting studying (re-studying) the institution of slavery in America, and how the music of the slaves has worked it's way into all types of musical forms.

THE PLATO SOCIETY

Back to Normal

     Tomorrow will be three weeks since my surgery.  I am doing great.  I walk without a cane most of the time, and today I drove to the grocery store.  I navigated the market in their motorized cart.  It's kind of embarrassing to be scooting around folks, backing up, turning around, etc. but I really like it.  It gives me the freedom to do it on my own, and that's a lot better than giving my husband a list and hoping I get the right groceries.  I shouldn't malign him; before I broke my ankle he had rarely been to the supermarket, at least not alone.  He did all the shopping for months, and we were never near starvation!
     So things are getting back to normal...whatever that is.

Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving.  In these times of national and personal stress, we can still take the time to give thanks for all our blessings.  I am grateful for all of the support I have received from Howard, my family, friends, "e-friends," doctors, and others who have given me strength to get through the past couple of years of orthopedic calamities.  I see the light at the end of the tunnel and I believe I would not have made it in such a good mental state if it had not been for you all.

Ahh, Royalty

     So Prince William and Kate Middleton are finally tying the knot.  The US media can't get enough of it.  We are so fickle.  We flit from Lindsay Lohan, to Mel Gibson, to Paris Hilton.  Finally we have two "genuine articles" to hear about daily from now on.  Their wedding plans, the wedding itself, the gown, the party, how much it cost, who paid for it, etc., etc.  Actually I love it.  The man who will be King (but when?) and his gorgeous commoner fiance.  What a story.  It's a real fairy tale.  But so were Princess Diana and Prince Charles.  Fairy tales often have sad endings, but this one sounds promising.  I will be hanging on every word, and watching all the goings-on.
     What about you in GB?  What's the story there?  Did she live anywhere near you? Is that all you hear and see on television?  Or are the Brits actually broadcasting news?  We seem to have abandoned news in favor of sensationalism.

Update Again

I am doing very well. Got up and walked with a walker and physical therapist for a little ways. Tomorrow will be more challenging. But if we keep the pain down,as it is now, I will do OK. Here is hoping I can sleep tonight...by the way, I have very good nursing so far.
Love, Myrna

Thoughts Before Surgery

Well, tomorrow is the day. I packed my tote bag, and am doing all the little things one does before leaving for a while; like washing clothes. Yesterday we marketed. Howard and I separated for the task,as we went to different markets and had different errands. If all goes well, I should only be in the hospital for a few days, but won't be getting around much for a few weeks.
I phoned the "kids" to let them know how important they are to me and how much I need their support. All in the hopes that they will check in often. I find I am nervous and a bit anxious. I don't like feeling vulnerable and needy, it goes against my "makeup." I am doing pretty well in not dwelling on the things that can go wrong. Every so often those thoughts creep in, but I have had this surgery before and came out fine.
So, I will write again while recovering, and hope to hear from you.

Update

It is 10 days before my knee replacement. I haven't written a post because I have been incredibly busy. Lots of different doctors to see, lunch with several friends, and lots of pre- planning.. My mood is "up" and I am looking forward to a successful outcome. I will write more as time goes on.