Beverly Cottage

2007-03-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

2007-03-29T00:08:00.001-07:00

There's a new Princess in the Palace

March 9th we were blessed with the birth of our new grand daughter, Tegan McKenna Bonham.
She was not born in the hospital, but at home, and delivered by the Paramedics!
Miss Tegan, it seems was much too eager to come into the world and greet the family and start the party. ( I told her before she was born that we would have a Birthday Party and sing "Happy Birthday"to her when she arrived, and we did!)
She weighed 6lbs 8oz.

There are no words to express the joy of seeing your grand daughter for the first time.
Little girls have been scarce in our home and now we will have one to have dollies and tea parties and pink frilly things.

Ethan is doing great! Yesterday he came to our house to play and in walking into the livingroom, he spotted a picture of Tegan I had just framed. He said,"That's a picture of my baby sister!"
She has only been with us for two weeks and he recognizes a picture of her already!

She is still a little sleepy, and we are all anxious for her to "wake up and play", but I'm sure that will be happening sometime real soon.

She is a little lump of sugar and she is sure sweet!

2006-10-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

Fall is in the Air

As the pumpkins ripen on the vine next door and the air has taken on a crisp feel, I know that Autumn is here. We had a horriably HOT Humid Summer and endured it waiting for the cooler days ahead. Here they are until this weekend when another Santa Ana arrives to dry up the receintly moistened ground from a downpour we received last week.

I must say that the heat of the Summer has thrown the trees that turn our area into our Fall Wonderland into an early display of color.
Every year I am in a quandary over the delinquent turning of color on these trees. They have turned as late as January. I drive down the streets and pretend that this is my Autumn delight, yet it is never in the months of Fall. This year it is and I am pleased!

When I was a young teen I lived back East and loved the color displayed on the different trees. One year we set out for a family day trip up to Shennendoah National Park to drive the senic roads and view the leaves in all their splendor! The colors were so vivid. Greens and rusts and oranges and reds splotched here and there,something that everyone needs to wittness to feel one of the beauties of nature,just thinking of it fills me with a desire to be there now! Perhaps someday soon I will once again view the splendor that God displays back there. I thank God for our mini display, and go to the beach for a walk and thank Him for the beauty of the beach and ocean breeze and the sunsets that He provides, even a small glimpse of a pod of dolphin,a seal or even a whale on her treck to Baja to bear her calf those I count as blessings of the season.

Sunday we are taking off for a trip to Palm Springs and then on to my beautiful Yosemite National Park. It will be interesting to see the Park
with a smaller number of visitors. I love this place. I can also remember a time before my daughter was born that I made a trip with my parents to the park. My sister lived up there and we were visiting her. One morning I walked up to Yosemite Falls alone and enjoyed the georgous fall spilling down to where I was standing at the bridge. What a treat to be in nature and view all its majesty! We have not been able to get reservations for some time and we are looking forward to a wonderful time.

I am nervous because this is our first real trip with the new fifth wheel,
I was thinking of all the other times that we took off with the old trailer we had and didn't have a care in the world. I'm sure as soon as we know what we are doing it will become, "old hat". Say a prayer for us for safety on the road and that we can park this new beautiful home on wheels.
I think of the Lucy and Desi movie, "The Big Trailer", which Lucy talked Desi into buying for their home to save money. They traveled on their Honeymoon , even through Yosemite! Here we come!!

2006-09-10T17:54:00.000-07:00

Where Have I Been All My Life?

Wow! It has been over two months since I have posted news.

All I can say is that it has been a long HOT summer. The kind of hot where you just don't want to do anything. Fans blowing through the night to get comfort.Not just one fan but many,and at different angles!

The weather finally broke yesterday, and many people actually said that they were Cold last night. I know that we were! And ya know, all we would have had to do is close the windows!! Why didn't I think of that last night!

We finally bought the 5th wheel of 5th wheels and a new truck to pull it , and we will be stylin' down the road at the end of October when we visit one of my favorite places that God has created, Yosemite! 10 glorious days and hopefully no crowds, and great weather.

One day a week ago we just got plain sick of the carpet in the livingroom and diningroom and pulled it up to display beautiful hard wood floors.
It only took us 4 hours and the room was transformed! We still have to do a light sanding and stain and seal the floor, but for now it is just fine.
That lead to new curtains in the diningroom and possibly new carpet in the hall and bedrooms, unless they also have hard wood. We will have to see,and of course we have to move everything out! UGH!
My nightmare is comming true,(Clean sweep!) Actually it will be a great chance to de- junk 29 years of collecting.
Yep! We have lived in Beverly Cottage 29 years the end of Oct.!
We invited Tom the tile guy over to give us an idea of the amount of tile for the main bathroom.It would be a dream to get it all finished before the new year! I'll let you know.

We have some exciting news!!! Steve and I have decided to become Grandparents once again~!~! Erika and Shane and Ethan are expecting in the end of March. What a great spring we will have!

I have been playing with my photography and enlarging my prints and selling them. I have a deal going at the moment for an Italian restaurant.I am sooo excited!!
If you want to see them just ask! It's my way of returning again and again to a place that has carved a place in my heart.
I helped plan 3 vacations this summer to lovely Italy, and am dying to return.
Maybe one day soon.

2006-07-05T19:06:00.000-07:00

Jose' Can You See?

July 4th, the real first celebration of Summer!
Why does it have to be so stinkin' HOT??? It was 90+!

Every year for 5 years we have hosted our church's 4th celebration at our home with a BBQ and a walk over to our local park to lay under the stars and enjoy the fireworks with other fellow citizens.

It's great, because every year we sit with the same people surrounding us that we might not have run into through the past year so we have a chance to visit for a few moments before the extravaganza begins.

This year we must have had 100 people at our home enjoying the yard and the coolish breeze we all sit around and watch the horseshoe tournaments and visit with each other.

This has become our memory, even though it takes a lot of preparation and it is a lot of work to host and keep things moving as far as the food is concerned. I don't think that I would want it any other way!

It is so much fun to see our yard decorated in red white and blue, and to have the flags displayed throughout the yard. It makes me feel proud to be an American!

GOD BLESS ARMEICA!

2006-06-23T21:47:00.000-07:00

THEY SAY IT'S MY BIRTHDAY

Today is the anniversary of my birth.

I must say that my parents took great care of me as I grew up to be a young adult and married.

This month we celebrate the completion of the settlement of my parents
estate after 51/2 long years, and I would like to think that they were giving us this gift we have been given as a testiment of the long and hard work they accomplished in their lives.

This gave us a new vehicle for Steve and sometime soon a new recreational vehicle, so that we can tour the continental U.S.

I received a new sewing machine from my Honey for my birthday so that I can sew faster and better than before. I also bought a new digital camera,Yiippee!!
I think that that is quite a celebration!
I am blessed this Birthday.

2006-05-09T23:16:00.000-07:00

2006-05-09T23:06:00.000-07:00

2006-05-09T23:04:00.000-07:00

2006-05-09T23:03:00.000-07:00

2006-05-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

2006-05-09T17:54:00.000-07:00

The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring, Tra-la....

Spring is officially here, and the flowers are in bloom in Carlsbad!
There is such a beautiful show of color as you drive north on the freeway, or stop by the outlet mall.

Last week I went to residental area in Santa Ana, just a few blocks from interstate 5. The name of the area is Flower Park.

Every year they hold a home and garden tour for a small price. There is also an antique and collectables sale along the street.

I had a wonderful day with my friends and could not believe the peacefulness of the area. I felt as if I were in Beverly Hills surrounded by these georgeous homes. These homes were built in the '20s and 30's and people have upgraded and remodeled them. The neighborhood was so peaceful, I could feel it. I wished that I could move there and bask in the peace and loveliness of the neighborhood.
I certainly will plan to go back next year.

Some of you do not know that I belong to a doll club. We are in the final months of completion of this year's project, a replica of a Queen Ann doll. Originally she was carved from wood and put together with pegs.
We make our dolls from cloth and add the period clothing.

One of the biggest challenges for me is to paint the face.

Tomorrow our ladies gather for our meeting and we will able to see each others creations. I am looking forward to this.

2006-04-13T20:14:00.000-07:00

Dawn Princess, Hornblower, dinner cruise boat,
and tug boat, size comparison

2006-04-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

Pool Side Plenty of room for sun bathing !

2006-04-13T19:56:00.000-07:00

2006-04-13T19:49:00.000-07:00

2006-04-12T18:27:00.000-07:00

How Many People Can Say That They Have Been Under The
Golden Gate Bridge?

We just arrived home from a 9 day cruise to the Mexican Riveria on the Love Boat.

With drammimine patches in hand we embarked on our first cruise.
The ship was leaving from San Francisco, so we drove up the day before, enjoying the long 8 hour drive, and the sceinery along the way.

The rain that Northern California has had, provided beautiful green rolling hills and extremely beautiful cloud formations in the sky including a bright and beautiful full rainbow for us to chase.

We were able to walk along Fisherman's Wharf and enjoy a little shopping before it was time to check in and board the ship.

Once aboard we found our luggage sitting outside our stateroom and a lovely narrow room at the front of the ship awaiting our arrival.

Jay-Jay, our steward would take care of us and our every need for the next week and a half, cleaning the room and turning down the bed in the evening, along with the fabeled chocolate on the pillow! We felt like the special people that we are.

Upon leaving San Francisco, one must travel UNDER the Golden Gate Bridge.
I must say that that was an incredible feeling to be on the top deck as we went under with pedesterians on the bridge above us looking down and waving as we were looking up and waving with hardly any room in between!

Oh, what a beautiful ship we were on, The Dawn Princess.
We enjoyed our rest and relaxation, and got a tan too!

2006-03-10T15:37:00.000-08:00

Spring Fling

Every Spring for the past few years we have embarked on an adventure
exploring foriegn lands and discovering other cultures, and meeting new friends.

This year we decided to not plan a trip, and hang around and see what happens.

I enjoy preparing for our holidays, however it takes quite a lot of computer time and days of planning, all of which is quite exciting, and exhausting.

There is a wonderful feeling when you discover a place you would like to visit and e-mailing them , going to bed and waking up in the morning to have a reply! That's efficiency at its best!
When the trip arrrives you sometimes feel as if you already know the person you have booked the hotel or B&B with!

Upon arriving at our destination I have the feeling as if I were Alice in Wonderland having the directions and maps but not quite sure how we are to go about getting to the town I so carefully picked out in the atlas of all those fantastic countries just waiting to be explored.

This year, some friends invited us to go along on a cruise to the Mexican Riveria. The price was great and we accepted.

This cruse starts in San Francisco and first stops in Catalina, Only 36 miles across the bay, Santa Catalina.......Steve and I have never been there before! So close yet so far. I have pictures of my parents in their 20's vacationing there, but somehow we never attempted to try to make a weekend of it.
The movie stars used to go there ,and I hear that it is quite beautiful. We will see. I am looking forward to it.

Next stop, Puerto Vallarta! Warm weather, Tropical,ummmmm!
On to Mazatlan, another tropical port ,then on to Cabo San Lucas!
Steve and I have travelled to all of these places by V.W.Bug and Bus
when we were in our 20's.

As I was filling out my Passenger information form online ,I noticed that the spelling of my name was incorrect. Following down the questionaire, it says that your proof of documentation MUST be spelled the same as your passport and ticket! Mine does not !
Today I called the travel agent who booked us and he corrected it, and fortunately saved us from paying a $50.00 fee for correcting 1 letter in my name!

Erika and I had just prayed that they wouldn't charge us. Amen. Thank you, Lord!
Now I just need to be able to check in and get aboard without any glitches.Say a prayer for me please.

We leave the 30th for 10 days of relaxation. I am ready.
However, I am now feeling like maybe we should try to go to England this Fall. Steve seems fine with it, so I will do a little planning and hunting on line, and he wll do a little looking online, and maybe we will cook up something for the Fall.
Stay tuned!

2006-02-28T13:07:00.000-08:00

2006-02-28T13:03:00.000-08:00

2006-02-27T08:31:00.000-08:00

2006-02-27T08:02:00.000-08:00

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' AT ITS BEST !

Yesterday, I have to say, was a perfect weather day here in So.Cal.
The sky was blue and clear and the weather temperature was a warm enjoyable 76 degrees.

After church I had the desire to be at the beach, but of course there are the obligitory chores to get done before the Little Prince arrives in town
and of all things the lawn needed to be mowed!

We promised ourselves that after we had accomplished these tasks we would take Walter for a spin.

You couldn't have asked for a more beautiful time on the shoreline!
The tide was way way out which I had not expierenced, and the one cool thing was that there was No FOG!

One would never guess that a huge threatening storm is on the horizon for us tonight.

We enjoyed our walk, allowing our feet to meet the tide as it softly rolled in, and enjoyed looking for treasures in the sand. The beach was rather sterile though.

At the end of our walk is a jetty, where we found a starfish clinging tightly to one of its rocks waiting for the ocean to once again blanket it.
Seagulls were hopping around the rocks looking for treats among the mussels.
Families with small ones romped in the sand and were putting finishing touches on sand castles they had created.

The sand was so saturated, that it made a mirror image of the palm trees and buildings hanging on the cliffs above. One would never imagine that it is near the middle of Winter here.
This is why we choose to live here and one of the blessings we enjoy to the fullest!

2006-02-06T07:52:00.000-08:00

Ladybugs and memories

For the last week and a half I have been engrossed in scrapbooking.
At the beginning of 2006 I comitted to completing 206 scrapbook pages.
As I have so many travel and family pictures to get into albums, and after taking the 2005 challange of 205 pages and completing them, I decided to take the challange.
It is a wonderful sense of accomplishment to see the pictures displayed with journaling in a nice album to have a reminder of times past.

We are now going into the field with Ethan, who is now 14 months, and looking for ladybugs. It is a great way for him to explore Grammie and Grampa's yard and have complete freedom to wander in the vast open area. We find the bugs and let them crawl on our fingers and try to keep him from eating or squishing them. So far we have been lucky. They will climb to the tip of our fingers and sometime fly off as we wave goodbye.
I asked the boys if they remembered when we did that with them and they did.
It is so much fun to discover new things that we take for granted through the eyes of a little one.

Go out and look down closely and find yourself a ladybug. I guarantee that it will make you feel great!

Gather some pictures and treat yourself . Write on the back of the picture who it is and a little something about the day. Or better still, buy yourself an album and place them in the album for your family to enjoy.

Have fun!

2006-01-19T17:19:00.000-08:00

Desires and Delights

It's mid January and I am getting restless.

It is about this time that we start planning what our spring will be like and if we are going to venture away from our comfortable Beverly Cottage.

I think in the past week, I have had the desire to flee to England and surround myself with the beautiful English countryside.

I think of the green pastures with the sheep the hedgerows and the spring flowers.

I am reminded of the quaint little towns one drives through and the romantic beauty of the Manor Houses that I have toured and seen in those great English novels made into movies that cause me to swoon and sigh longingly.

One memory I have, that dosen't happen to everyone in a lifetime, was touring a Manor House, and wandering through the vast gardens and being drawn to a pond where a white swan swam slowly across to meet us.
There were a pair of them and they were nesting. The mate was on the nest at the far end of the pond. As we walked around the area we were suddenly amazed by the sound of a Whooosh! Whoosh!Whooosh!Overhead.
We had never heard this sound and looked up to see another swan circling the pond and looking to land.

It was the most amazing incredible sight to see this graceful beautiful swan in flight so near to us, and to hear the sound of the wings as it flew looking to land! It did not land in the pond that we were at but one just the other side of the hill.

I will always keep that memory close , as it was an incredable sight and sound to behold.

2006-01-12T20:05:00.000-08:00

A DAY OF FUTURE'S PAST

Today I received two letters from past boyfriend's mothers.
Men that I might have married, but with God's hand fortuantely directing me, I did not.

At one time in my life I was connected to these families, and it must say something, that over 38 and 36 years later these women still wish to have a relationship with me.

I keep in contact infrequently with the one woman of 38 year's ago, because she is the grandmother of my eldest son.

The other woman, I decided to write a Christmas card to,to fill her in on the family. She was a friend of my Mother in Law's and they shared the same birthday. Since my Mother in Law is no longer with us I decided to make contact. She was delighted to hear from me and is moving back to the San Diego area after living out of state for quite a few years.

It was nice to be filled in on the news of her family.

I had written the other woman, my son's grandmother, to ask if she would give me her family history and tell me about her heriatge. She is Japanese, and I believe that she was born in Japan, but do not know that for a fact.

I wasn't sure if she would be willing to share her personal life with me, but I thought I would ask, as I have been working on my family geneology and knew that once gone, there is no one to ask, and along with the loss go all the answers, and at some time Jonathan and possibly even her children and other grandchildren would have questions that I might be able to provide answers to.

She replied that she would bevery happy to share, and that it warmed her heart that I would take an interest in her life history.

I am so thrilled!

2005-12-28T20:59:00.000-08:00

A NEW YEAR IS DAWNING

In a few days it will be the new year 2006!

I remember thinking ahead to the year my youngest son would graduate,2001, and thought it quite a strange thing.

I remember that as we prepared for the turn of the century, we traveled up to my parent's home outside Placerville.We were not sure what would come as the new year hit. We even brought the two older children's fiancees.

I watched the new year dawn all over the world, with all the people of the world celebrating! The whole day I sat in front of the television and watched as the dawn of 2000 came upon us. I worked on an embroidery piece that was Patriotic and will be remembered for that day.

Strange to be out of the 1900's and into a new millenium. What would it be like?
Well time has passed by so quickly that I hardly can fathom these last 5 years!

I know that it is always hard to remember to write the proper year after the turn of a new year, but this is ridiculous! The years just keep ticking by, and rather quickly I must add.

Two of the four children are married and one fabulous full of energy grandson is here to help the time fly by even faster, as we watch him progress into life and see his milestones and witness his accomplishments.

We have had a fun 5 years, but also within these years we have lost 3 parents which is never an easy thing to expierence.

With new beginnings and histories being written for the family,I have to admit that sadly I have lost valuable information that only our parents could give. And now when there is a question about this or that, there is no one who can give the answers.

I can only reach back into my memory and try to pull the conversations of the past to remembrance.

All the lives of past relatives and their every day routines and daily life expierences are cast into the wind as we fill our day with our busy schedules.
We hardly ever think back to those dear ones who came before us and if it wern't for their lives, we would not be here.

What would they think if they could have looked ahead and saw the future ancestors?

I know that they would have never believed that there would be Japanese blood mixed with theirs!

English, Dutch,Scottish,German, American Indian,Czech,and Japanese.

I am going to try to keep better records of our lives for the future.

I know that those younger are busy getting on the highway of life, and even though it seems to be zipping by so very quickly, I feel like I need to slow my life down some and record important events, so that there will be answers to questions some other day in the future.

I have this in my power, and this I will try to accomplish in the New Year 2006.

2005-12-26T11:04:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to All

I started an entry and added to it digging deep into my heart and even shed tears as I wrote, previewed it and went edit it and lost it.

How frustrating is that!

2005-12-13T06:26:00.000-08:00

FLAMING ARROWS STRAIGHT INTO MY HEART
OR HIGH SCHOOL REVISITED

LAST EVENING I ATTENDED A "END OF THE SEMESTER " PARTY FOR A GROUP OF WOMEN.

HAVING CAREFULLY CONTACTED MY TWO FRIENDS IN THE GROUP TO SEE IF THEY WERE ATTENDING, I SET OUT WITH ANTICIPATION OF HAVING A NICE EVENING WITH THE GIRLS.

UPON ENTERING THE BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED HOME I SAW THAT MY FRIENDS WERE IN THE LIVING ROOM LOOKING AT ALL THAT WAS DISPLAYED AND I APPROACHED AND GREETED THEM.

AS WE ENTERED THE LARGE FAMILY ROOM THEY PROCEEDED TO SIT IN A PLACE WHERE THERE WAS ONLY ROOM FOR THE TWO OF THEM. (THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 40 WOMEN IN ATTENDENCE.)

THE REST OF THE EVENING CONTINUED THE SAME.

THEY ROSE TO LINE UP TO HELP THEMSELVES TO THE POT LUCK AND SAT THEMSELVES BACK INTO THE SPACE WHERE THERE WAS ONLY ROOM FOR THEM.

I AT THE BACK OF THE LINE, MADE THE BEST OF IT AND TRIED TO ENTER INTO CONVERSATION WITH PEOPLE THAT DID NOT KNOW ME NOR I THEM.

UPON RETURNING TO THE ROOM WITH MY PLATE I SAT IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM, BY MYSELF, WITH SPACE FOR OTHERS TO SIT AROUND ME ... OPEN.

NEVER DID THEY ONCE LOOK UP TO SEE WHERE I WAS , OR AT LEAST THEY DIDN'T SEEM CONCERNED THAT I MIGHT LIKE TO BE IN THEIR COMPANY! AFTER ALL THEY ARE MY BEST FRIENDS?

NEEDLESS TO SAY, I ATE MY DINNER COMPLETELLY BY MYSELF AS THEY ENTERTAINED THEMSELVES IN DEEP CONVERSATION.

HOW CAN SOMEONE BE SO THOUGHTLESS AS TO NOT CONSIDER ANOTHER FRIEND'S FEELINGS? GRANTED, THEY HAD NO CLUE, AND MAYBE THAT IS JUST THE POINT, AND THAT IS VERY SAD BECAUSE THERE WERE TWO OF THEM.

I WOULD HAVE LEFT THE PARTY EARLY BUT FOR THE GIFT EXCHANGE AND HAVING SPENT $10.00 ON A GIFT, I WANTED ONE IN RETURN.

AFTER THE GIFT EXCHANGE I QUIETLY LEFT AND I REALLY DON'T THINK THEY MISSED ME!

WHAT CAN I LEARN FROM THIS LESSON?

2005-12-03T22:24:00.000-08:00

NARNIA

Tonight I was privalaged to attend a meeting and interview with Douglas Gresham.
My daughter and son in law's church sponsored a preview of the upcoming movie, The Chronicles of Narnia. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Douglas Gresham is the stepson of author C.S.Lewis and co-producer of the new movie soon to be released this Friday the 9th of December. He has also authored a new book on the life of C.S.Lewis titled Jack's Life.

It was exciting to be able to view cuts of the movie and to hear personal accounts about the making of the movie, as well as hearing about Douglas' life in England as the stepson of the author.

I read the series while in school . Seeing part of the film's release, it seems as I imagined it years ago.

I had tears of excitement!

2005-12-02T22:09:00.000-08:00

WALTER

He is 38 years old.

He has been around the block a few times.

I was surprised to see he is showing his age, I still remembered him from his youth.

A few dents and places where his paint is wearing thin.

His floor is sadly worn and when you open the door, it seems as if it has bearly latched.

He needs some good old TLC.

Mike the mechanic had a sparkel in his eye as he talked about how great Walter is because he still is "original", right down to his seats, and bumpers!

Welcome home dear Walter. You look so cute in the garage!

2005-12-02T21:56:00.000-08:00

2005-12-02T13:03:00.000-08:00

Today is a red letter day!

I have been waiting for some time. I can't tell you how many years for this day!

Today "WALTER" is comming home!

Walter had been part of my past. A part of my life before I was married.

When Steve and I were married, I had to give him up because there was no room for him in my life.

Part of Steve and my plan after marriage was to go into the Peace Corps and there was deffinately no room for him there.

So like a good wife I gave him up.

Luckily to my Father in law, who has taken ever so much care of him all these 32 years!!!!

Walter is my '67 Volkswagen bug.

We are leaving to go pick him up at this very moment.

I hope that he is as excited to come home with us as we are to have him with us again!

2005-10-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

POST SCRIPT TO GRAMMYS EMMYS AND OSCARS...

The other night I was watching something on television, I can't even tell you what program it was now, and discovered that I do know , and have met someone who is an Oscar winner!
Kevin Costner.

Steve and I happened to bump into some friends of his traveling, as we were, at the time in the Czech Republic. We started up a friendly conversation with the friend not knowing anything about him.
I think Kevin's then fiance was with him, and we talked for a few moments about California.
This was one of the few times I initiated a conversation with a stranger.
Well, they wern't really strangers because they were Americans ,and I could tell that they were from California by the comment he made and the van shoes he was wearing. They were from Ventura. They were looking for someone and at the time we were not aware of who that someone was!
When we said our good-byes , the guy said "I want you to meet my friend." We thought that that was a little strange, why would we need to meet his friend ?
We agreed to, and we stepped out of the little shop we were in .
Nobody was in the street that a few moments before had been crowded with tourists.
Just at that moment with absolutely nothing in my head about who I was about to meet, out of the next shop larger than life, and equally as handsome, stepped Kevin Costner!
I said to myself,"O MY GOSH, IT'S KEVIN COSTNER!!!! WHAT AM I GOING TO SAY TO HIM?"
His friend introduced us to him and we greeted each other and shook hands.
WOW!!!!
And with that he was gone. Did it really happen? I know that my right hand shook his!
His friend stayed to tell us that they were there to finish the score of his latest movie ,OPEN RANGE.
What a fun day that was , as were many on that trip. Perhaps someday I will write something more about it.

2005-10-02T19:28:00.000-07:00

2005-10-02T18:29:00.000-07:00

DAYS OF FUTURE'S PAST

Thursday I traveled back in time to visit the NORTH PARK THEATRE in North Park,
San Diego.

I was especially excited because my husband's Great Uncle was instrumental in the creation and building of this theatre in 1928. The building also housed the new Bank of America in which he was the vice president.
On this building were two large plaques that said "KLICKA BUILDING". They have since been removed and now are posted on the Klicka home in Bonita, the other at Beverly Cottage.

There are many stories told of our Uncle Emil, one being that he was one of the many guests of William Randolph Hearst at Hearst Castle.

The theatre has just reciently been rennovated and we attended the dedication.
When opened in 1928 , news reports called it "the biggest thing in the rapid deveolpment" of the growing community in which our uncle was instrumental.

The original building cost $350,000 in the 20's, today the rennovation cost $8 million and has taken 14 months to complete.

Upon entering the theatre, I had the feeling of stepping back into an erra past.
Much of the "old feel" of the theatre has been retained in the redesign. The original seats were repaired and upholstered. The deco ornimental lighting and the unusual chandelers and elaborate Italian Renaissance-style screens that are on either side of the stage bring to mind a time of great affluence and I could only imagine the pride of the finished work on the opening night.

Perhaps some day one of the family line will find themselves on that stage taking a bow at curtain call.

2005-09-17T18:39:00.000-07:00

I'M SITTING IN THE FAMILY TREE AND THE VIEW LOOKS FANTASTIC FROM HERE

A few days ago I came home to a message on the answering machine from a man claiming to be a long lost relative.

He was so excited to have finally found the long lost family line that just so happens to be our family. Wouldn't you just know it?

My Mother happened to supply the lead to this "cousin" even though she left us 6 years ago this month.

She had always shown an interest in the family geneology and passed that interest on to me, although I only overheard her conversations with my Grandmother, and she never really ever delved into the family line by writing anything down. She happily handed it all to me to sort out and write on the charts, without the information that she talked to my Grandmother about.

Now 30 years later I am wishing that I had listened more carefully and had taken notes.

It dawned on me that I really never did know my Great Grandmother's name nor my Grandfather's. My Mom always refered to them as Grandma and Grandpa Elmore.
I never met them as they passed 5 years before I was born.

When I received the message from the cousin, does one say," twice removed"? I was automatically thinking it was on my Father's side of the family.
Much to my surprise it was on my Mother's side.I don't have a lot of information,but
what I do have happens to be just what he is looking for!

What is great about the connection is that he has information about my Great Grandmother's mother and family and even one generation before that!

Some of my blanks will be filled in.

For any of you that have ever endevored to trace the family line you know that it can become a labrinth, and it draws you in and holds you spellbound!

I can just see the relatives in heaven lined up looking down upon the vast numbers of people our family tree represents. People who aren't concious that we are even out here at all!

It reminds me of the Walt Disney short animated film , "PIGS IS PIGS". From two, became many. I saw that once my cousin lead me through his line to show me how we were related.

Thank you to the family ancesters who took the time to keep the records for us.
Many have gone before us and many are yet to follow.

My love to all of you.

If you are interedted in viewing this webpage go to http://Waringfamilyweb.net.
Your ancestor are Emily Elizabeth, Ida Belle Wetherington, Earnst Elmore,Joanne Elmore, Me, and then YOU!
Yes you are on the list in history.

2005-08-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

BABY TALK

The other day I stopped by the Little Prince's house just to have my heart swell at the sight of him and get a little hug in.

Mama was entering the garage with the little Prince in tow as I drove into the driveway and they turned to see me.

I waved and tried to get his attention while still in the driver's seat, and finally he saw me.

I was waiting for a reaction from him,like WOW! GRAMMIE IS HERE, and I could see that he was saying something.

Excitedly I exited the car and asked Mama what he said.

She said he said "BIRD"!

2005-08-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

TALES OF THE LITTLE PRINCE

The Little Prince arrived for the morning and we spent the earlier part of the day watching the dance of the hummingbird on the pattio.

He is able to spot things you point out to him now and one of his higness' first words, we like to think is "bird" , therefore why not go bird watching to enforce his learning.

He was fascinated by their buzzing wings and their darting about the back patio area, as was I.

Later we played the keyboard and danced .

Nana stopped by in search of the "Little Prince", but alas he had left to go check his funds at the bank.

2005-08-05T11:49:00.000-07:00

MY OH MY HOW A WEEK CAN PASS SO QUICKLY

Andrew and his wife Pamela have been here visiting for a week from Tennessee.
We have enjoyed the visit and their company and gathering with the friends and family that knit our lives together. Some we only see when the kids are here. We have had a great time.
Andrew took us to Disneyland through the company that he works for and we were able to have lunch at Disney's famed Club 33. This is the third time that we have had lunch there and we once again enjoyed ourselves.
We have been to the beach, attended BBQs and just enjoyed family time together.
It is so cute to see Ethan's reaction to his Uncles and Aunt.That was mainly the reason for their visit. To check out the new family member.
We have had a marevlous wonderful time, but time has passed by entirely to quickly!

2005-07-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

MR. BLUE EYES

I must say that I am smitten by Mr.Blue Eyes.
I could take pictures of him all day long.
The sounds that he makes are so dear.
He knows for sure who you are and smiles at you in response.
He can get us to do the funniest things and sing the silliest of songs.
Yes, my heart belongs to him.
I am in love with Mr. Blue Eyes.

2005-07-10T21:22:00.000-07:00

It Was The 10th O f July

I was sitting at the computer and just now at 9:45 we heard blasts in the air that continued to repeat themselves. On investigation we discovered that the park was having an encore preformance of the fireworks . We were able to see most of the colorful displayes however several large trees blocked the full view. I wondered how clear a view we would have from the back yard and now my question is answered.

Happy 10th Of July everyone! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

2005-07-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

AND THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE

Fireworks on the Fourth Of July are a must. It is an American tradition that goes along with Hot Dogs and Apple Pie. It brings the memories of every firework display you have seen and the excitement of that first concussional blast and the bright color display in the night sky.

As a child I can remember driving to the local grocery store and parking the car and getting on the hood of the car to watch the jewels as they exploded before us, and that loud blast that nearly shook you off the car could never be forgotten!

Our City boasts that they had the largest display in the County! It was a pretty magnificent show if I do say so, which brings me to the question I had last night as I watched and hollered and aahed. Are there names for the various fire displays?

I came up with several as I watched. The pom pom, the atomic bomb, the chrysanthemum,
the comet, and the golden waterfalls, (which are my favorites).

Does any one else name the fireworks that they see?

2005-07-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

GOD BLESS AMERICA !

Today is the 4th of July and for the fourth year, we are hosting a Fourth of July Party in the backyard at Beverly Cottage.

It is nice to have people over and this is the perfect time to make a great day of it and celebrate the Nation's Birthday!

We have been steadily preparing for this day for at least two weeks, preparing the horseshoe pits and trimming the Fourth of July climbing roses on the arbor, mowing the lawn and moving various lawn furnature around the yard.

T-minus 120 minutes until the crowd arrives, and all is ready for the event.

After the BBQ of various entries, and the eating of delightful desserts we will all head over to the park which is within walking distance to view the fireworks in the sky above.

We will miss several family members who will be working and who are out of state, but we will all share our love for Old Glory and the Freedom that She stands for and wish Our United States a very happy birthday!

2005-06-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

IN THE BACKYARD AT BEVERLY COTTAGE

We have been retired, if you can call it that for several years, and as I said in my first post, we have lived at Beverly Cottage for 27 years.

In these few years of freedom of the daily routine of up and out and away from the home throughout the entire week including Saturdays and up and to church on Sundays, we have been afforded the time to devote to the "cottage" as it were for sprucing up and updating and revitalizing.

Steve is the demolition man, repairer, carpenter, painter, installer, and I am the assistant at times and the dreamer. I dream up ideas that have to go to the board of director for approval and then on to the calendar.

Shortly after Steve retired, he embarked on rebuilding our old ramshakeled half crescent deck,
a skeleton of days gone by when we had an above ground pool for the kids.

The deck is a magnificent area where we enjoy entertaining. Upon completion the look to the back yard was greatly enhanced with the planting of Queen Palms around the perimeter of the deck.

It now gave me the feeling of a yard where someone could retreat to, mainly Steve and I, for relaxation and peace. Sometimes we enjoy having breakfast out on the patio with a full view of the deck.

We have a cute little grass area a bird bath and a picket fence and an arbor with roses named "Fourth of July" rambeling up and over it. It is a cozy spot, and the birds seem to think the same, singing their songs of approval. All is well in the soroundings of Beverly Cottage.

For Christmas I decided to ask for and then find a wall fountain that would bring the sound of relaxation to the patio area. I could not believe the prices. I carefully considered, price in mind which one would be best for the area I wished it to be installed.

Yesterday my wall fountain was fully installed! With a flip of an electrical switch the fountain is turned on! Steve also installed spotlights that illuminate the Queen Palms. We have instant atmosphere!

This morning I sat on the patio with my wall fountain bubbling as I read my Bible and drank my coffee! I felt like I was a guest at my own B&B!
Thanks honey!

2005-06-21T21:44:00.000-07:00

Grammys, Emmys ,Oscars

This past Sunday I had the great honor to hold an Emmy in my hands, and a greater honor to know the person who was awarded this trophy. He won the award for editing a documentary film.

A few years ago my Son's best friend and sister were awarded a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

How wonderful to be able to feel the pride and great achievement for these people.

When I hear my son's friends on the radio I smile and think back on all the years of practice and think how nice it is know them and personally wish them all the best.

One of the things that has come to my attention is that these people that I know are absolutely just like you and me. That is what makes it so great.

At this point and time I do not know anyone personally who has won an Oscar, but I bet someday I will!

June at Beverly Cottage

2005-06-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

June is here and we are looking forward to the warm sunny weather that accompanies our summers here.

The yard is lovely and covered with Jacaranda flowers from the tree shading the lawn. Steve raked the yard early this morning and it is now once again decorated with the delicately scented flowers.

The Agapanthus flowers are a perfect compliment to the tree in color and I feel delight in the visual I get as I drive up to the house.

I have named this blog after the home that we have made here for 27 years.

We were on a holiday to England several years ago when I first noticed that homes have name plaques fastened upon the fronts of their homes giving the feeling of quaintness and reflecting a personality of the home. I selected Beverly Cottage for the name of our home and there stands a plaque fastened to our home in honour of our holiday to England.

This afternoon someone drove by and yelled out the window that they loved our yard.