Pasadena is flirting with me

Could there BE a more charming city in this part of California? Great architecture, cute shops, plenty of nice restaurants, beautiful craftsman homes on well kept tree lined streets, wonderful old churches, 15 miles from downtown LA, AND…view of snow capped mountains in the winter.
Also good public transportation

Hard to beat.

The weather here right now is perfect. In the morning it is in the low 60’s and the afternoon mid 70’s.
Where as my friends on the east coast are sweating it out with 90+ degrees and high humidity already.
What ever happened to Spring?? It moved to California! Everything is blooming here.

The best part is this is a serious dog state. By that I mean there are dogs everywhere. Most of the rentals here allow dogs,[did you hear that Dylan?] you see people on the streets and shopping areas with their dogs. Even signs that say if you abandon a dog on the street you WILL go to jail! Yeah.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are things here that are negatives. I just haven’t experienced them yet.
Earthquakes [yikes] fires, lots of homeless, high gas prices[I did experience that] high taxes….
But I guess it is a tradeoff.

So far I am willing to trade.

Deal Breakers

It was brought to my attention that when describing what I was looking for in a mate, I left out some REALLY important things. Deal breakers really. Like being financially stable. Like being faithful and trustworthy. Like having a faith in something and not being paranoid that the government was out to GET you and paying taxes is important for a future.

Those things are my deal breakers [as well as cheating because when you truly love someone you don’t do that to them]

What are YOUR deal breakers?

 I have had a problem in the past with trying to fix the men I have been with. I tend to totally trust until they show that they are not trustworthy. And then I give them another chance.
Because I think I love them. And I believed that they loved me. [That is just plain stupid.]

Bad idea!

Never give another chance, because they have already showed you that they have no respect for you. And they cant possibly be in love with you no matter what they say.

 Have some respect for your self, and move on.

I am coming to all this late in life. Better late then never.

I am telling you all this, as I want to help other women know that they are not alone.
That there is life after and it can be better than what you had.

And if you don’t meet someone else to share your life…get a dog!
They are the most loyal, protective, kind, loving creatures.
And if you have to support someone, why not a dog.

I’m just saying...

Santa Monica is cool

This week I am in love with Santa Monica. It is young, and hip and the architecture is fantastic. California cottage meets spanish, craftsman and art deco. And every type of food you could ever hope for. From cheap to world class. The whole edge of Hollywood thing gives it a rich/seedy feel.
I found a Catholic church that had awesome music. It was young and alive, AND it was at 5:30 pm
[which to those of us that move slowly on Sunday is a plus]

And let us not forget the beach!! Beautiful miles of white sand and blue water. What could be better?

This week Connie and I drove about an hour up to Lake Arrowhead, so she could look at property. It was an interesting drive, but somewhat reminiscent of my nightmare drive <see beat death> so I wouldn’t want to do that in the winter months when it snows up there!

But it was a beautiful place with huge trees. The houses look like german ski villa’s. We saw a beautiful house on a golf course with water view, furnished they want $2000 a month.
Considering what things cost in La that was a steal. The thing is you live way up there. And it is cold.

There is also wildlife up there, such as bears as well as lots of deer, raccoons, rattlesnakes …..
A coyote ran right past our car while we were stopped. The blue birds were everywhere.
Nice but, well you know, I am in love with Santa Monica.....This week.

We are planning a trip up to Carmel, so don’t hold me to SM yet.

It has been in the mid/high 60’s since I got here. So I haven’t had the chance to go to the beach yet.
But I had my bike tuned up and will start riding that around the neighborhoods now in stead of driving.
$4.25 a gallon thank you very much. And all of my european friends don’t laugh, because in the US that is ridiculous. Actually I went through places in Arizona where gas is $4.89 but they tack on .45 tax on every gallon.

As Connie lives in Beverly Hills, I have been hanging out there a lot, walking around the store fronts at night, having a coffee at Urth. dinner out doors, at an italian restaurant.
You could get to reallllly like this life.

When I have my own place and Dylan and I are reunited it will feel like home.

 Until then the party go’s on.

La Bella Dolce in Beverly Hills

Well… here I am [finally] sitting here at my friend Connie’s, who lives in Beverly Hills Calif.
And I finally feel, believe that this IS my year. That the pain and stress and heartache of the past 2 + years is behind me. I am coming into this new life with positive energy and outlook.
Thank you God!
And to all my friends and family that have heard me, and prayed for me, and were supportive while I traveled this difficult journey, bless you.
And to the new people I have added to that roster. All along the road I have met wonderful people who have offered me friendship without really knowing me.

Since I got here a few days ago, Connie has been showing me the area,and places that might be good to settle down in. I will be spending 3 months in Venice, which is about 5 miles from here. So I can get a better feel for what I really want.

Connie and I have been talking about taking a few trips, one down the coast to San Diego[which I love] Up to San Francisco, and to Italy. Also My friend Leslie who lives in Maui wants me to come visit.

The air here is not great for my sinus, but hopefully that will get better with time.

What a life…but someone has to live it.
Stay tuned.

Fancy meeting you here

On my last night in San Diego, I happened to text my daughter Genevieve, and what a surprise, she had just  landed in La with 3 girlfriends on vacation. So I drove up to Newport Beach to have dinner with them. It was a so good to see her, and after dinner they wanted me to stay over with them. So we had a cot put into the room, and got dressed and went out for the evening. I had forgotten what it was like to go to a bar with loud music, and the main purpose was to drink as much as you could in a short period of time.
It was interesting but I came to realize that I much preferred to be home with someone I was comfortable with and not be out looking for the next date. The girls tried, without any success to persuade me to look for a younger man. Even just for the night. No, I am way past that and find it has no appeal for me.
What i want in the future is a REAL man. One who is honest and trustworthy. He must be Compassionate and romantic, and kind.
So after a night of frivolity, I woke up with no hang over, Thank God. And went and sat in the hot tub.
I was only out for about an hour and got a sun burn. My stupidity, I didn’t put any sunscreen on.
On to Beverly Hills.

San Diego…YES!

San Diego is living up to all that I have imagined and all the good things, so far, of what I had heard.
Although the weather is not what I expected [64 and rainy cold] it still has all the things I would want out of a city. But it is Maui like. Palm trees, blue water, lots of art and animals. I am almost sold.
I prayed for some kind of sign to tell if this was IT. When I looked for jobs thru AVEDA, they have an opening in….San Diego! Is this the sign GOD? I guess if they actually HIRE me then that would be a confirmation. So all I can do is send in my resume and wait and see. Mean while I will be spending the summer in beautiful Venice Ca. A friend of a friend is going out of town for 3 months and needs someone to watch her dog and cat. That would be me.
I spent my first day here at the San Diego Zoo and touring Balboa which is an artist community.
Today I went to La Jolla, and hung out. Visited ‘Africa and Beyond, a store on the main street that sells african art and masks. Talked to Ian about my own mask collection. So Maybe he could tell me something about the origins of each one.
Then I went down and spent several hours photographing the seals. It was a good day.
Tomorrow I will drive north and if there is nice weather I will go on the mission trail. That is a drive to see the old mission churches. California has a rich history of Catholic priests building churches along the coast. I also want to drive the Pacific Coast drive.
On to Beverly Hills!

favorite spot …so far

I am in Flagstaff. This area is a good jumping off point for both the Grand Canyon/75 miles. And Sedona, 25 miles. So Yesterday I went to the GC for the day. It was EXHAUSTING! I got a late start because I wanted to go to a whole foods type store to stock up. So by the time I got there it was about 12:30 pm
The park was over run with people. Mostly they were from other countries, especially Japan. And when you get into the park, they have buses that take you to the look out points. They run every 15 mins, which is great. It was ok, but I think I would rather come in the dead of winter, less people more dramatic.

Today is Sedona. I have wanted to see this area for a long time, as I had seen photographs of it.
Sedona more than lived up to my expectations. It is a beautiful, very clean magical place. First thing I did is stop in a tourist info center in the town of Oakwood[a suburb of Sedona] and the girl told me I HAVE to see Cathedral Rock and she gives me a map. When I got there there was a trail that takes you up for the best photographs. So dummy that I am I take the hike. 1 1/2 hrs later I got to the top, my mouth felt like the Sahara and my back screaming VICODIN!! [yes I did take water but it was hot]
After I finally stumbled down I needed a drink!
Next I went to the Chapel of the Holy Cross. A VERY famous Catholic church built into the rock mountain. I had seen photographs of this church years ago and was really excited about seeing it in person. More climbing but worth it to see the inside. It was very beautiful and very small.
While I was inside, a young girl [about 13] and her mother come into the church. The girl was wearing a 2 piece bathing suit and flip flops. No really. You cant go into a 711 without a shirt, but these 2 thought nothing of walking around as though it was a beach shack. Then to make it even worse her friend comes in and they start flicking Holy Water at each other. It was disturbing at the least. Being a practicing Catholic, it was like they had just urinated on the alter. I assume they were literally raised in a barn.
Who does that?? If that was a Mosque they would have been handed their heads [really!]

After that I really needed a drink. So I went into the downtown of Sedona, and ate a buffalo burger at the Cowboy Club. And I could imagine myself living here. There is something special about the area.
Nice homes, lots of shops and high end stores. Beautiful scenery. Great weather. Lots of money. The only thing lacking was water [I am an Island girl at heart.]
But we shall see...

Page Arizona- Antelope Canyons and Horseshoe Bend

Yesterday I drove about 3 hours to Page Arizona, planning to go see the slot canyons. But by the time I got to the hotel, I was exhausted! So I stayed in and took a nap. That is why today I took a tour [the only way to get in the canyons] of Antelope Slots. And I was happy I did. I went with Overland Tours and Dale was the navajo guide. He was very helpful on where to take the best photos and helped me set up my tripod as well as getting other people out of the way for the shots.
I also went up to Horseshoe Bend, which is a beautiful view of a circular canyon with the river going round. My lens was too big to get the best shot, but I plan to come back to Page again as there was so much more to see here and not enough time.
I did notice that there were languages from around the world. I made it a point of saying hello and the looks on some of there faces was of shock. But others were pleasantly startled.
Right now I am in Flagstaff Arizona, but that is a story for another day…..

Mexican Hat

What can you say about being in the middle of no where. Well, it is dramatic and wind swept and hot.
I actually saw tumble weeds! Really, from an east coast girl who never saw a farm animal till the age of 20,
That was right out of a wild west movie. The canyons and mountains are all red.Just breathtaking.
But it is wreaking havoc on my sinus. Who said move out west where it is dry and you wont have sinus problems? I am drinking water like a camel. You can tell when your lips dry out that water is depleted.
Mexican Hat is a very small town on the edge of Utah and Arizona, Navajo nation here.Must be 20 people living here! But the hotel, Hat Rock Inn was really nice, with a view of the river and mountains.
Monument valley is about 15 miles from here, and is owned by the Navajo's.
The 17 mile drive once you pay $5.00, is very rough, with gravel and pot holes.
You can drive by yourself, or take the tour, which cost $65. I opted to drive myself. It wasn't bad. As a matter of fact I did it twice. My Honda Element rocks! And by going in the morning and the evening, the lighting was different.
There is 2 restaurants & one gas station in town. Gas here is $4.10, 44 cents of that is state tax.
No wonder no one lives here.
On to Page Arizona...