REINCARNATED CHAR WOMEN...

I swear I am a reincarnated Char women.  This house of mine because backs up to the hills and avocado groves gets so dusty.  So much for double paned windows. The building of nineteen hundred homes a mile or so away doesn't help either.

I spent my day cleaning, washing clothes, ironing, polishing, cleaning floors and I'm still not done.  Some little things need done that no one in the world would even know I had done, but with my up bringing and coming from two neat freaks it is inbred.

Other then that and communicating with a girlfriend who was on a cleaning binge too that it about it for today.

My life!

BUSY THIS WEEKEND....

It was a good weekend.  Saturday I did go to the Crab Fest with my girlfriend.  I stopped at her house to pick her up and we sat on her porch and had a drink with her four little dogs. We had a phone text from a friend that said the Orange Elks was filling up fast.  We left shortly after and the place was hopping.

It was a great feast.  All the crab legs with butter all you could eat, chili,baked chicken breasts, rolls, butter, cole slaw and cake for desert  There were never ending crab legs. The event was all volunteer and the guys said they had bought 140 pounds of crab legs. They were very good as was the whole meal. The best part was it was only $25.00.

Of course the usual drinks and people at the bar.  The trouble with the Elks is that drinks are cheap and there is no end to the men that want to buy you a drink.  I had promised myself that I would have no more then three for the whole evening and pretty much stayed to that promise. 

As we were standing at the bar for our first drink a little Mexican man wanted to buy us a drink.  As he was doing that this six foot four, black curly haired man with a black beard came up and to say hello.  He too wanted to buy a drink, but that had been taken care of so we declined.  He kept looking my way and finally came over and said he couldn't believe he had met someone at the Elks. Ditto!

Black Beard said he had to leave with his buddies to pick up someone that was at Huntington Beach but he wanted to come back and meet me somewhere other then the Elks.  The crowd was starting to thin out so my girlfriend and another friend decided that Citrus City Grille would be close so we could walk there.  

We were sitting talking to a group of people and Black Beard walked in.  Now, you would think that would be a good thing but it ended up not being so.  I swear to God that the men are either idiots, self absorbed, or you name it. I found out he had been homeless due to the downturn in real estate and a bad leg accident.  He was climbing out, but living in one room on Workman's Comp, Vet benefits etc.  Then I found out he was only fifty four.  He was suing for a big settlement that he thought he had in the bag, but I know how that goes...good luck to him.  Good Lord I'm old enough to be his mother. He thought I was in my early sixties and I didn't tell him any different.  That put an end to that.  Bruno may be a lot of things but at least he isn't on the dole and whatever it is between us it takes precedent over others, at least for me.

I drove my girlfriend back to her house and we sat on her porch and talked for a bit and I went home.

Sunday I met my other long time girlfriend in Newport Beach at Fashion Island to see a movie, The Way Back, and we had dinner after the movie at a French restaurant.

Monday was the Balboa Bay Club for lunch on my other good girlfriend and a little shopping.  For me it was just looking.  I'm trying not to spend money and it is hard.  I saw several things I would have bought in the past.  I don't need it, but...its hard to gear down, but I have to.

So the weekend was interesting and good.  More adventures to come.

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MUSEUMS AND FRIENDS...

The visit to the local Bowers Museum to see the Medici Jewels and to have lunch with two of my girlfriends was a very nice day.  The information regarding the cameos and intaglios that were so beautiful made one wonder about the talent that created them. It is amazing that the workmanship could be so concise when the tools were so primitive.

The Medici's fortune spurred the patronage of the arts and although collectively these people where one homely group they certainly knew about art. It is something that so many of these items survived in total. from the early 1400's.

Lunch was great and as always Tangata was filled with people visiting the museum.  We were there about three hours with lunch and the museum tour.  Bowers is such a gem in the middle of Santa Ana.

I stayed home afterward and got up this morning, Friday, to meet my grandson for breakfast.  He is such a delightful young man.  He just graduated from high school and is working and planning on going to school. It is very refreshing to see young people that are nice.

I had given him, as a gift, a portrait of my husband, his grandfather.  He was so very close to his grandfather and I couldn't think of anyone that would appreciate it more then he.  He said when he opened it he cried.  Behind the portrait was a 30 year pin from Elks.  I also gave him a card with money.  I think he was pleased with the picture and I'm so glad.

Bruno left for China last night.  I don't envy that flight over there.  I did it in the nineties and if I recall it was seventeen hours leaving from San Francisco.  He left from LAX and I believe it is between fifteen to nineteen hours depending on if China Air is non stop.  He was in such a state the day before he left.  I received a few emails from him and they were short and sweet.  He said he would call me.

I was leaving the house on Wednesday  so I thought I'd leave a voice mail telling him to call me on my Cell.  I got a text back that said he was in the middle of a meeting for big dollars and don't bother him.  Alrighty then!!  I didn't think a voice mail was a bother.

Bruno called before he left and did apologize for his text but he said that the last several days had been brutal.  I know he is dealing with millions of dollars and things aren't easy, so I understood and didn't make an issue of it, although I could have. Dealings here are tough for that much money and I can't imagine how hard China will be,especially Mainland China.

I met my girlfriend Wednesday night for dinner at the Elks in Orange and I'm meeting her again on Saturday for a Crab Fest dinner at the same place. Sunday is a movie in Newport Beach and Monday is lunch at the Balboa Bay Club.  Do you see a theme here.  Eat, eat, eat.

I also had a phone call from a man that I hadn't heard from for over a year or so.  He just called to say hello. I've never been out with him, but have had conversations with him at various times the last several years.  It is funny how they come out of the woodwork.

It isn't a problem meeting men, it is a problem meeting someone that you like and the right one. If Bruno would stop traveling he would be the right one....or not!

QUIET.....

I haven't posted anything due to the fact things are fairly quiet.  Bruno finally got his dates to travel to China.  From six days to seventeen, which is way better for the body. His traveling sojourn the next two or three months are set.

I went to the Jam Session on Sunday at the Elks.  I was home all weekend and was going to stay home Sunday, however, I had a text from a friend that I work with on the Veterans committee and I finally capitulated and drove up. The music is always good.

Tomorrow is the Bowers Museum for lunch and to see the Medici Jewels. Saturday the Crab Fest with my girlfriend.

Have just been tired and staying home mostly.  If there is anything interesting to report I'll do so. In the meantime its quiet around here.

ANOTHER DAY...

Last night I went out for a little while.  I thought I'd go to the Elks, which I did,  I was greeted like a long lost relative.  I hadn't been there for about three weeks and you would have thought I had been gone for months. Nice to be missed.

I sat at the bar with a gal that is a lawyer and another one that booked bands. The lawyer is in my book club and had just gotten back from her vacation.  The band booker was someone new and we had a lot of things in common. It is always good to meet new people.She and I exchanged phone numbers and will try to get together in the future.

I left the Elks after a couple of hours and went to Quinn's to get something to eat.  It was early and the baseball game had every one's attention.  There was a group of men and women sitting behind me and they invited me to join them which I did.  Quinn's is like Cheers, everyone is friendly and you don't feel threatened.  It was fun.  I had a great chicken tacos and greater conversation.  Left there and went home. It was only 8:30 so it was good to get home at a decent hour.

Bruno went to  his appointment and stopped to see me.  His China trip is still up in the air as the man that is the client is still climbing on Mt. McKinley. Bruno looked like the walking wounded.  He had so many scrapes and scratches from his fall last week.  He was covered in band aids.  We both like each other so much it is silly.  Not ideal for sure for either of us

Tonight is my book club meeting, and dinner with the girls. Tomorrow I'm headed out to see my friends condo she is moving into... then a doctor's appointment in South County.  Depending on what Bruno hears regarding his China trip we may or may not go out this weekend.  Nothing ever for sure.  Makes me crazy.

FRIENDS...

Yesterday was Sunday and a movie day with friends.  Everyone seems to be in the middle of change.  Two pending divorces, one traveling, me bored.  We decided we need to keep doing things of interest that will at least keep some normality in our lives.

The movie, "The Heat" was fun and at least made everyone laugh.  We saw it at the Irvine Spectrum which was teeming with people Sunday.  There were five of us, including the brother of a good friend.  He is such a nice guy and was at lose ends like the rest of us.

After the movie three of we five went to Enotica a restaurant across from the theater. The food is good, mostly Italian, but light and upscale.  Afterward I drove my friend to her husband's plumbing company office to drop off work for their employee who was returning from her vacation today.

Bruno called this morning and is still in a state of flux regarding his trips.  There is unrest in China and he thinks that is why things are on hold right now.  He does have his South African trip scheduled in August. He said he will be down to see me Wednesday as he has an appointment that he has to be in Lake Forest which is a close by city.

I haven't been sleeping as of late.  I look at the clock and it is three a.m.or later.  This is about the norm so I'm use to it, but still don't like it.

Today is a house cleaning day.  It is so humid and hot outside it is a good day to stay in with the air running.

Not much else new.

BROAD APPEAL...

Broad Appeal was the name of the book that was talked about at last nights dinner and program.  The woman who wrote it had interviewed seventy two women regarding their lives after sixty.  There really weren't to many things new, but it was nice to have verification that most women have found that after a certain age, other then physical changes, it was a great time.  We no longer are our mothers or grandmothers. The chance to have a great life and do things with more knowledge then you had in your youth was something that the women she had interviewed all had in common.  You just have to find that thing.

The dinner was held at the Center Club at the Preforming Arts Center and is a lovely place, not to mention the food was extremely good.  For $30.00 it included vichyssoise, chicken corden bleu with roasted rosemary potatoes and steamed veggies.  Dessert was apple crisp with ice cream. I've had meals that cost a lot more and weren't half as good.

My friends that joined me last night had a nice time and found that there are things to do in Orange County other then going out to eat and drink.  This organization also does a lot to empower middle class women who have fallen on hard times due to the economy, death, divorce or other circumstances beyond their control.

The premise is that the poor are taken care of, the rich have money to do what is needed and the middle class women fall in between the cracks. Women helping women get their lives together with jobs, clothes and education.

I have a free day today and am going to try to do a few things around this house. Planning on a movie on Sunday and then Bowers museum next week to see the Medici jewels. 

FRUSTRATED...

I swear that Bruno and I need an interpreter for some of our conversations.  He swore I said one thing when I know I said another.  It was a difference of one word that changed the meaning.  I ended up texting him that he could walk away without looking back and I know what I said. He came back saying NO....I want to see you but things are really up in the air with the trips and travel. This isn't the first time we've had a mis-communication. I think he needs hearing aids.

The billionaire that is hiring his company in China is on Mt. McKinley and can't get off because of a blizzard. Bruno's plane trip has three reservations due to that plus Visa's are forthcoming for his trip from China to South Africa.  I don't know all the details, and don't want to, but when things get finaled Bruno said I'd be the third to know. I have just trying to keep busy and get on with my life.  One of the things I told him was, "Loree needs to get a life," which started the whole thing.

He is in San Diego today until Thursday having meetings with the County. Ifl the guy gets off the mountain in time he will be back in California by Friday.  I know one thing, the only thing about Bruno, the only thing for sure is nothing is for sure. He told me when he talked to me that he had tripped over a handicapped curb at the car wash and just about did himself in..He was off to buy a new pair of pants since the ones he was wearing got ripped .My Humpty Dumpty.

My girlfriend and I did go to the movies yesterday and saw "Mud."  It was a fair movie about a young boy coming of age.  Well written and well acted.

Off tonight for dinner and the lecture at the Center Club.  It sounds like it is going to be interesting and I hope it is.

More later.

ALWAYS CHANGES...

Things changed around with Bruno, as always.  The meeting was called late Wednesday afternoon to final his China and South Africa trip but didn't get finaled.  From two weeks in South Africa first, to two weeks in China after coming home, to six days in China first and then back and then South Africa.  I swear to God this man doesn't know if he is coming or going half the time. After all these meetings screwing up any time we might have together, I'm waiting for him to let me know after they conference call to China today, Sunday.  There is a fifteen hour difference and it is Monday, today. So my "special friend" as he calls us, which when I Googled it pissed me off, it is what it is.  If I want him in my life, which I do, I will just roll with it. No choice.  Our connection is really strong for whatever reason.  I swear we were together in a past life. We have been dating for three years this Bastille Day.

Thank heaven for my girlfriends. I met one of my good friends yesterday at the Home Consignment store.  I have been looking for a black leather chair, small, with an ottoman.  My white sofa is getting all the abuse and I got rid of my husbands ugly lift chair a long time ago. I actually found a Lane that was brand new for a good price. The chair is being delivered tomorrow.

I have a movie date scheduled after the chair delivery tomorrow with my girlfriend.  We will see Mud.  Tuesday night there is a speaker from Women's Sage at the Center Club at Segerstrom Center which includes dinner. It is about women after the age of sixty and seventy empowering themselves and how that is the best time of life since you have come into your own. Everyone gets a little side tracked and God knows I sure lost myself for a long time.

Although things haven't been easy in a lot of ways since my husband died. Both financially and trying to find my footing.  We didn't end up like we should have after almost forty years, but you can't predict what happens.  You can only go forward, as you can't change the past  My one girlfriend says there is nothing worse then a bitter women and the could have, would have, should have, does one no good. I agree.

My husband and I  did have some really nice times together.  He was a nice man, although weak, but then I probably wouldn't have put up with a strong man.  He had a way of getting even,  Mr. Passive Aggressive. He said so many times that he loved me more then he had loved anyone or thing in his life and he said it over and over. For me, actions speak louder then words so all the verbage in the world means nothing.  Enough of that.  Just was thinking this morning about things.

I'm doing good and again the best revenge is living well and I do that without a problem.  I have so many good friends and relatives all over the country that keep in touch and love me.  I'm very blessed.

Have a good week will post again when I have something of interest.

ROCK BAND....

After Bruno left on Sunday I received a call from a friend that asked me to go to a rock concert, of all places, at the nearby cemetery. I've never attended a concert and wouldn't pay a dime to do so, but she said this one was free.  I did go and finally found her.  I texted Bruno and his answer was "freaky," and I guess they won't have to worry about playing too loud.

Actually the band was great.  They played everything from Lady GaGa, Jim Morrison, Frank Sinatra and a few new and old songs thrown in the mix.  It was a very pretty setting with all the trees and grass even though it was a cemetery. People were dancing and had brought their chairs and food.  Kids were running around having a good time.  I stayed for about two and a half hours and headed home. It was kind of fun and beat sitting home. I did not visit any graves...

Monday was an errand day with a ton of things to do including shopping for Shred for the center pieces I want to do.  I also ran over to the Elks went into the attic and brought down sand that I wanted to use to anchor the bases.  We had used the sand for the Casino night in buckets. Also ironed, washed the floors etc. when I returned home.

Bruno was coming back on Tuesday around noon to see me and of course after he made arrangements it changed.  He will be in the I.E. (Inland Empire) and headed another direction.  He is coming down on Wednesday, tomorrow. I'm actually glad it worked out a day later.  I wanted to get my mani/pedi and finish cleaning the house .  I got all of that accompolished and then some.

Tonight I guess I will go to the Elks meeting.  I'm not as irritated as I was and I really do need to go to pick up a few other things. I truly want to ween myself away from the place.  There has to be more to do then that.  I'm looking.

It has been beastly hot and humid.  No global warming right?