Happy 4th of July!!!!~~~~

Hello Sweet Things, Hello!!!

And a Happy 4th of July to all of you!

Right now Joe is preparing the bar-b-que and friends will be over for an evening Bar-Be-Que, pot luck and all.   Wether we go and watch fireworks or not is of no importance only to just simply enjoy everyone's company.

But I have just time to do a quick post.

Joe and I had a wonderful one month honeymoon, and we Love our vintage airstream trailer,  its not a very big one, just perfect for two people and although Joe knows how to tow trailers even this little baby was a learning lesson.

Although we did spend our wedding night (really two nights) in a fabulous hotel before we set out on our adventure and it does help to know which roads are really good for trailers and which are not.

The wedding was simple and perfect, Dad gave me away, my sister was maid of honor, Frank was Joe's best man and we all dressed vintage,  I thought we were going to have the dinner at my Parents house but Dad surprised us with a fabulous dinner at this place that looks like a speakeasy and they had a dance band that played the real oldies, Joe and I had fun cutting a rug as they say.

Then back very late to my parents house where the car was rigged with the "Just Married" decorations, thanks to Ted and then well a good nights sleep, well it was 3 in the morning when we got to bed Sweet Things.  But seeing the happy tears in Dad's and Mom's eyes, after all those previous years of agony, to come to such a wonderful point in all our lives, that is a memory I will have and cherish forever.

I think Mom and Dad were concerned that I would never get married and even I thought that for a long time as well, but it is amazing how things can change,  of taking that leap of faith.   I still am in wonder about it.

As Baby Sis caught the bouqet.  ;)

After two nights to recover and relax we rounded up the truck and trailer and we were off,   we traveled North to the Aveue of the Giants taking in all the Kitchy tourists traps once we settled the trailer and took a tour of historic Eureka,  and other historic sights, then we traveled South through the wine country again bought some wonderful vintages, continuing along 101 we even stopped at a number of historic Missions,  I started a charm bracelet, at every place we stopped I bought a charm and added it to the bracelet, how it jingles!

We stopped at Alivia Beach for several nights, then further down and Yes Sweet Things, we hit Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studio's.  I even bought two BATES Motel Towel sets for the Bathroom just for Halloween.  We took in Hearst Castle and Morro Bay,  then back tracking we went to Lake Tahoe,  Joe suprised me by becoming a member of KOA so we'd be able to book RV reservations, he didn't tell me he did that, but considering that June is the Honeymoon month and also the kids are out of school making those reservations in advance paid off.

A couple of times we stayed at a better chain motel so we'd have a chance to properly clean out the trailer and check it.   It and the truck really went through a work out.   It was a good thing he had a really large cooling system installed for the engine and transmission.

But we did get hit with the heat wave on the way home,  it was a good thing we got back when we did.

Next week Joe is going to have the brake system on the trailer completely checked out and the truck as well.

I had a chance to call my parents during the trip to let them know where we were going and when we got there,  and post cards oh did I buy, write and mail post cards,  good thing I bought a lot of stamps.   I know Post Cards are so old fashion but its the personal touch that really touches people.  Not once did I and Joe go near a Wi Fi and we didn't miss any television, we read newspapers, listened to the radio but it felt wonderful to be cut off from all the stress and simplify our lives.

Now we are planning a week long trip in the fall, I'm saving the destination for now.  

But I do have to make several weekend trips to my house in the country,  my caregivers told me that it has been very popular for weddings this year and there is one couple that want to plan a wedding in Novemeber in the large parlor, they want to do it Victorian Period, so I need to see how that would be feasible, depending upon the number of guests.   Any funds that come in from the weddings goes to maintaining the house, ultilities, taxes and upkeep of the property, my caregivers do not receive any pay since they are getting a pension and are living free on the premises, so it's not for profit for me, I just love the old place and that strong feeling of saving it from developers was very strong with me, I and a quite a number of people are glad that I saved it.

And we had a group of ghost hunters ask my caregivers if they could investigate the property, I think I'll need to talk to them and find out what kind of liablity might be involved.

But right now Joe and I face a delimma,  with my car, the truck, Joe's jeep, his car, the 2 vintage cars and the trailer we have no space to store them at my place.  The two vintage cars are in the garage with Joe's jeep parked out in the driveway along with my car,  Joe's car is parked on the street and since he moves it a lot we don't have a problem but the truck and Trailer are in a storage lot that stores Boats and some trailers near by.

And Joe is talking about a small R.V.  to go to places were towing a trailer would not be feasible.   I said we are going to have to sell something.  We can afford the insurance and licences and the storage fees, and the only thing that needs smogging is the truck, and our two cars, the Jeep and the 2 vintage cars are fine and if we get an RV we'll need to deal with that as well.   Joe suggested that we go and talk to my insurance agent, who is also Joe's agent as well, since we're now married we maybe able to "bundle everything" into a much cheaper rate, plus the two houses.   I think we can do it, but we'll know better by next week.

And I'll be telecommuniting for the time being because of the BART strike although I'm hoping by next week it will be settled.

But for now we are happy, and working together to work out any situation that we will face.  Now I must go our guests will be here any minute.

Have a Happy 4th of July Sweet Things and be safe.

Kisses

As she shakes the snow off of her recumberant body~~~~

Hello Sweet Things,

Yes it is I, the Fabulous Diva, I have been silent for far too long.

So what have I been doing?  I am now an independent  working woman, setting my own hours and fees, I'm fortunate that my income from my investment portfolio is very good and my retirement package is excellent, and my company has hired me back on an independent contractor basis so I'm making more.

Joe is still in the retirement process, his last day to work will be January 19, then he is free and considering what is happening not a minute too soon,  he has been covering a lot of shifts especially for those who have families, so right now I don't see him as much.

Heather's parents have moved into Lillian's home, it's paid for, Heather's mother works and the income is more than enough to cover taxes, insurance, utilities, upkeep.  Heather's Dad found work granted at 2/3's of what he use to make, but he is not complaining, he has medical and dental benefits and that is what counts.

The "little Beast' has been adopted by them and Heather is glad, her art work has been selling and she has received several commissions to do Portraits of several children, he portraiture work is fabulous and she has decided to do painting like Owen Smith and one other painter whose name escapes me but I know that he did a famous painting called "Nighthawks". 

But what she does is use her digital camera and takes photos of places, events and people and uses all of that as references for her work, even looking at old black white photo's for ideas.  What helped get her commissions is a painting she did of Lillian, working in a country kitchen but with a little girl helping.  There is such warmth in the painting as to reach out to you, and next to it is a portrait study in oil of Lillian, neither are for sale but it helps show what Heather can do.

She is still going to the University and working towards her degree.

Because Joe is working so many shifts I told him he could "crash" at my place or his little studio but since I won't really be seeing him I'm going to spend Christmas and New Years with my Family.  Joe said he didn't mind, Heather's folks have invited him over for both holidays---especially New Years, that is if he's not working, but they said he can come over for left overs if he needs to and unwind.  Heather's folks will keep an eye on my place until I return.

I will be taking the train again, I will not risk driving during the holidays, so I will leave tomorrow and enjoy my trip. 

If I sound tired, I am.  So much has been happening and I'm still adjusting.  This intense cold is hard to shake, even with a roaring fire and hot soup, I need the comfort of family this time of year and I know it will be a very warm and happy holiday time.

Happy Holidays Sweet Things---Kisses.

Film Noir, Chinese New Year and Whitney~~~

I know Sweet Things, So much in one "headline" for this post.

Whitney Houston, so sad, a talent lost, I have a couple of her CD's I had hoped she'd make a comeback, but it almost seems like she was on a path to self destruction. Information on her death is still sketchy, but still sad.

I am also getting over a mild headache---Chinese New Year's parade so much fun, and crowded, Yoshi, her husband and I went to the one in S.F. I had wished that Joe could have come but they were expecting their own sort of Fireworks.

Everyone seemed to want to be a part of this year's celebration, the year of the Dragon (water Dragon), hoping for prosperity. This time Yoshi earlier had taken me to several religious ceremonies and they seems so right, this year I feel that it will be a turn around, slow, hard, thoughtful but fighting to get back on track. Everyone jostling around, cheerful, calling out happy new year in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, some one passing by gave me a small red envelope with a golden dragon on it, in side a Chinese good luck coin. Just a young person, a young man really with a big smile on his face, just from happiness or making a pass, who knows.

Yoshi's husband Brian was worried that I had been pick-pocketed, but I keep my important things in a very small wallet, Velcro inside a pocket inside my jacket. They'd have to get very physical to remove it. Oh the food, so delicious at Yoshi's Grandmother's home, and I'm afraid I had a little too much wine, good thing I slept over her Grandmother's and had them bring me home. We all did, Grandmom insisted, wisely too.

Now I have a vase with blossom's in my living room and Yoshi insisting that I have my entire home looked over to have the proper Chi analyzed by a Fung Shui master. Well it couldn't hurt.

Joe is up and insisting that we go and have a late breakfast, I think I can eat bacon and eggs, I know not exactly healthy, but I could go for the protein. Then he wants to go to this place for parts for the Ford, I'm bringing a book, because I know when he get's to talking about car parts, I'm a little lost. But that Ford is coming along beautifully.

Joe wished we could have driven it to the Film Noir Festival a few weeks ago, but what I did is work and then went over to the theatre and meet either Joe or Heather and Lillian there, it was wonderful seeing a number of old films that have not been released to DVD like "Mr. Dynamite" or the 1931 version of the Maltese Falcon or Alan Ladd in the Great Gatsby, I was having fun wearing my 1940's outfits, my hair up in those 40's hair do's. And Angie Dickinson being there she looked fantastic!

I joined the Film Noir foundation, that and the Art Deco Society. Joe in a Trench Coat and Fedora, is my Sam Spade becoming no longer just a fictional thought? Who knows.

Joe has given more thought on retirement, his friend Frank has too, they both have put in a lot of time and are in good positions to retire and although he is tempted to seek a position in the Gold Rush country his heart is still here in the Bay Area, many people have inquired with him about security of their properties and he's given advice but now he's thinking in the private sector, so is Frank---I've come to call them "The Dragnet Squad".

They both are trying to put in for a few days vacation, so we can go the the PEERS "Film Noir Ball", I hope he can do it, it's been hard having time together.

And now it's time to grab a bit to eat, thank goodness my headache is fading fast.

Until later Sweet Things.

Kisses!

P.S. my gosh he wants to go in the Jeep!!! I have to wear a heavier coat and pray it doesn't rain!

It's Been So Long~~~

Hello Sweet Things,

It seems that I can't really stay away, and I know it's been awhile.

Truth is that life has been very busy for me, that I had feared that I would not be able to post again, but then I've managed to steal a moment.

It seems now that my blog has become more of a diary to make concrete my thoughts, to look back on events and analyze them.

I'm looking out now from my window at the sunshine how it plays on the water, the beach, this last week, the water was very high, so high that one had the impression that if you stepped off of a dune you'd be right in the water, all grey, choppy, a large flock of small birds where wheeling and sweeping down looking for a place to land, they finally did on the water, I thought the waves would over whelm them but they rode it out like the veterans they are.

Rain, and cold, snow on our local mountains have made for very chilly conditions, people taking their children to the local snow and indulging in snowmen, snow ball fights and snow angels. I smile at the thought of it.

Work has been busy, the effects of the events in Egypt and near by countries are being watched very closely---the "butterfly" effect I call it.

How are things going for me? Busy as always, I've been promoted, have a wonderful assistant who has a good head on her shoulders, unfortunately she came down with a strep throat this last week, I told her to stay home and get well, we've been in touch by e-mail and she thinks she'll be well enough to come to work this week.

And here at the office people have been dropping like flies with this flu that gives one a terrible sore throat, so far I've stayed well, hydrating, vitamins, eating healthy.

Everyone at work has been looking forward to the 3 day weekend, so have I, but I'm staying home for the weekend. Just going to local places.

I went with friends last night to enjoy the Chinese New Years Parade, cold, wet, but no rain and just bright and beautiful, Jeannie Cho one of my co-workers who join me gave me a tiny rabbit charm for good luck and I gave her one in return. I stayed at the Westin St. Francis instead of making my way home from the parade, I made plans for that some time before. And it was a good thing.

Lillian is more frail now, but she still insists on staying in her home, but her granddaughter is staying with her this weekend which is good.

Lillian's idea for me to have a housekeeper was so right and it has been working out beautifully.

Joe is still restoring his vintage jeep, but he saw a 1940's Ford, he told me about it and even though a mess I could see the good "bones" it had, he kept saying "she only needs this" or "She only needs that" so I surrendered and SHE is now in my garage. I told Joe there is no more room so be content.

With sickness and the holiday weekend Joe is pulling double shifts so it's been a bit hard for us to have any long stretches of time together but we manage. And I am contentedly happy.

My family is doing very well, I had a chance to go down by train for the holidays to see them, they met Joe and they like him a lot and he likes them. Dad is happy that I have someone good in my life. I asked him if he was worried and he replied "Only that if anything happens to your Mother and I that you would be alone, but now I feel better about everything" I can understand his feelings.

As much as possible I take the ferry to work and home now, there is something so soothing about getting on board from the chilly dock and riding it, seeing San Francisco receding just like my worries floating way on the cold bay waters. Sort of a Zen feeling.

For now the clouds and rain are gone and I am going out to enjoy the sunshine while I can, too much have I been indoors between work and home, now to break free.

Later Sweet Things.

Christmas Cheer

Well Sweet Things,

This will be my last post for the year, I'll be going down to my Folks house next week, and not back until just before New Years.

I'm giving a little Holiday get together tomorrow night, a sort of open house, not much just some munchie's, a bit of wine, ale (not beer), wasail, and non-alochoic drinks, just talk and eat and laugh.

However I do have to cover up my oil painting that is over the fireplace, well she is semi-nude, I have this huge scarf that has a holiday Thomas Kinkade image on it that will fit just right.

Lillian, Yoshi and her boyfriend will be by, some co-workers, a few of my girl friends, Joe and Frank when he gets off duty, and my neighbors from next door (they of the crashing tree) I told them to bring their daughters, I have board and card games they can play.

Then Sunday a quick clean up and packing. Lillian will watch my house for me while I'm gone and things are set up at work.

But getting back I will be having New Years Plans---There is a New Years Dance I've been invited to on the U.S.S. Hornet here in my little home town, all back to the 40's theme, period clothing (I have a beautiful 1940's evening dress just right for it) big band, dancing, dinner, drinks, dessert, silent auction to raise funds for the Ship. Well I'm all for that.

So Sweet Things, all of you have a Very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Years and may 2010 be a wonderful and Great Year for all of you.

Kisses to all of you and a special kiss to my favorite Blogger, you know who you are Sweet Fram.

See you all in 2010.