LoOkinG for my HaHa....

...and I am gonna find it as we pack to move once again.

I am scheming when we move 10 days from now, that Kingbaboo (a.k.a. Phill) will get confused and gleefully, joyfully fill both my stockings that I hang in each condo, new and old! I have been a vewy good girl, and only was onery just a smidge this past year! That's my story and I am sticking to it!

This move will put us minutes from Phill's work. Our front door opens to a golf course, and the area is flat enough that we can bicycle again! Yahoo! We are in huge hopes the clink of golf balls are significantly quieter than the 50 m.p.h. road we live on now!

December 23rd will mark my 1st anniversary living in socal. My plans are by the 23rd is to be settled in enough, get a Christmas tree a-lit and have those heartwarming Christmas Carole's playing all throughout the house! Don't forget the spiked nog!

...sing to Jingle Bells...

Pack the box

Pack the box

moving day has come

rent another 1 year lease, in hopes to have some fun!

Woo..hooo...

Unpack a box

Unpack 5 more

Moving in real soon

Oh what fun it is to move during the holidays~ not!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!

WoRd JuMbLE

I have been reminded that Socal So Good has been rather quiet most of the summer. Maybe some are gleefully enjoying the break from the word jumble of nothingness, and hopefully there are a few cronies who appreciate the art of my word jumbles!

That is where my thoughts have been lately, all jumbled up inside and really having a hard time falling into clear cohesive and shareable thoughts. Recently, I have read some satirical columnists in local and national papers. These syndicated columnists are reaching out to entertain, enlighten or unintentionally bore the reader. The one difference is some are getting paid for their thoughts, and some are not...hmm. But all in all, the words just come down to sharing nothingness and then some. In between nothingness and then some are where my mind seems to find stuff to ponder about.

With this in mind, I decided to keep on writing and reach out to my followers and say, "Howyadoin'?" "How was your summer so far?" Did you know that if you if don't push the garage door opener the door won't open? (one just sits there waiting for the light to turn green!) Yup, 'nuff said?

This summer I have been to a county fair, bought cool zebra striped sun glass readers, started walking more, went to watch the US Open surf championships, read some great novels, knit and knitted some more, saw my sons and daughter-in law in July and August (!!!), hosted a fun Bossa Nova party, went to Mexico, ate fresh fish, (with almost a smile on my face), purchased a really funky sofa (7 months with out one, long overdue), met my adorable great niece (my nephew's) welcomed a 3rd adorable great niece (my god daughter's), sideswiped a car, attempting to learn Spanish by the road names here, bbq'ed on the beach, joined another new yoga joint, purchased a Spanish Mr. Potato Head in Mexico (Sr. Cara de Papa), applied for some temporary employment, found a really intriguing son/moon in Mexico (3 bucks!),and generally wasted a lot of time thinking about life.

Usually September 1st I decorate my home for the upcoming harvest season. Celebrating the arrival of autumn, the coloring of leaves and the coolness in the air is part of my life schtick. This September I am not sure what happens in Socal, or the arrival of autumn for that matter. All is new here, but I have a feeling my harvest dance will be done without the fall colors I am used too.

I will change that for sure, I hope Phill won't mind trasping around our condo decorated like the children of the harvest! Inside our condo we will celebrate, and outside we will wear sunscreen. We will color our bodies from the sun the shades of autumn ~ red, orange, and gold!

It will all fall into place!

(cheers! the cig is a prop! the drink was not!)

What I meant to say...

Today I read a on a car in front of me it's license plate holder. Stating, "Pray for Labor Day". Sitting at a rather long red light my mind started to ponder this. Are we praying for the working class in general? Praying for the day after Labor Day when the beaches officially close in Jersey and the bennies go home? Are we praying for this particular Lexus driver in front of me to find that elusive job?

What were we asking here?
Confusing the confused categorically, compounds the complications of understanding!

Some items that need to have a better understanding:

Rubbernecking = Gawking
Sig Alert = Traffic Jam
Plastic Surgery = "Work done"
Cauliflower = Collieflower

I was sitting with some cronies the other night, and simply mentioned while out driving you can't figure out what town you are in. There are no telephone poles with that silver metal band with the town's initials posted on it! This was a surprise to the non right coasters. But, an astute left coaster stated that each town (not all I have found) has different color street signs. I still don't know where I am, most days!

The noon and six o'clock whistle that blows in some east towns; non existent in Socal. This could be a good thing, if you are not used to the blaring sirens! Even though blaring, there is a comfort to "know" what time "it really is".

We all run around in our lives with particular thoughts and ideas in our brains, but how do they once spoken get assimilated in other's minds?

Enjoy your meaning of life. Smile, eat a marshmallow daily, and laugh till there are tears running down your face!

--

The day of GGB...Galleries, Gardens, and Beach...

This past Sunday we had the pleasure to visit the Getty Museum in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. $10 bucks to park, and the museum is free! Once out of the parking garage, we boarded a tram to head up the mountain. The buildings are and grounds are simply stunning. I was in awe of the panoramic views.

Phill and I were excited to visit this museum with our friends. Their knowledge of the collections aided us in enjoying each building we toured through.

In the galleries all mediums were on display; mosaics, oil, sculpture, pen and ink to name a few.

I was drawn to the expressions on the faces.They were mesmerizing! In one painting, "Spring", painted in 1894, the little girls seemed that they could walk right off the canvas.

The photography exhibit by the artist Jo Ann Callis was wonderfully engaging. Her "Guilty Pleasures" photographic display of desserts had us riveted to the images.

On the grounds of the museum is an outdoor garden, "The Flowering Maze." The maze is surrounded by a floral fantasy. We had a great time taking in the sunshine walking through the pathways, eyeing such exotic plants!

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After our lovely peaceful day at the Getty, we drove to Venice Beach.

Walking to the beach from our parked car, it is apparent this is one unique town. Venice Beach, as finally decided by the Jersey Boys is, "Seaside Heights on Crack." This beach area is jam packed with tourists, locals, musicians, entrepreneurs, and them some. It is by far the craziest beach town I have ever seen. Legal THC and Pot are sold in many stores. I was amazed how many afflicted peeps are patrons of these med shops! I was even handed a postcard listing what diseases can be helped!

On the beach we could see and hear a huge drum circle! There had to be well over 200 people playing, dancing and taking in the cacophony of sound. We had a blast taking in the sights, and music.

As it was a few days after the passing of MJ, many fans were selling his tribute T-Shirts.

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Tonight we were fortunate enough to be out in the car while the sun started to set. As you can see by these photos, it was magnificent. This had to be the prettiest sunset we have seen here yet. Enjoy!

Seen along the way...

A few views as we drove south on the PCH. We were coastline along beaches and beach towns. So cool. I loved the road sign!!

We met this gentleman at the Farmer's Market in Dana Point. I you look closely , he is carrying his pet parrot on his back. I asked, "why are you carrying your bird?" He laughed, and stated that birds are like dogs they need the companionship. Personally, I don't think the bird really cared. Probably if it's wings weren't clipped he would show the owner what it really cared about! But, he said he knew of people that take their trusted sidekick birds on planes. These birds speak.....so you know where this conversation went from here...."Hey can you fly this faster?" "What only a stinking pack of peanuts?" "Polly want a better Pilot!". We had a great laugh, I asked if i could take his pick and we were on our way!

The market has a varied group of wonderful farmers, organic farmers, and crafters (the second Saturday of every month.) Our most favorite organic fruit farmer/seller is our weekly ha ha. He is just so free and open. One of those clazy characters, that make you laugh. This first time we bought cherries from him (quite delicious), he explained his measuring system. First a quart container is filled, and then you get a hand full, then you get a few sprinkled on top!! All for 5 bucks. The show is well worth it. (I don't have his picture, I reallly wanted to ask him though.) This past Saturday, we were happy to see him back at his booth. He told us he was losing his voice, and had leukemia all week. I said leukemia!? He replied, yes for a week, but it is getting better. (we figured out laryngitis as we walked away with the most delicious organic cherries!) I have now named him Shroom boy.

Maybe reading all those Dr. Suess books growing up was a good thing! All in Whoville are alive and well!

Kingbaboo's Sunday Road Tripz

A few weeks ago, Phill said we were going for a ride to an airport. Inwardly I groaned. Phill used to fly small planes, and we have spent many an hour at small airports. But, I was a sport clapped my hands and said let's go!! We ended up at Torrey Pines Sailport. Hours were spent there watching the Paragliders come and go. The sailport is perched on a cliff dropping off to the Pacific Ocean! The beauty is phenomenal. I have a little fear of heights, and was glad if you were a spectator, you had to stay behind the marked area! Phill was in his glory! We took many pictures, just revelling in the beauty of the sport! At the end of this visit, I was dizzy! Phill had to hold my hand back to the car. It doesn't take much for a blonde to get involved! hahah.

This Sunday Kingbaboo said to me....I want to take you on a bike ride. We are going to ride The Ortega Highway, through the Cleveland National Forest, and then to Lake Elsinore. I was a little nervous, but took 3 Advil for my upcoming hip pain and jumped on the bike.

Kingbaboo rather a mild man, transforms into Speed Demon on a bike. Let's for sake of this writing refer to him as Kingbaboo Speed Demon: KSD. I have ridden with KSD since I was 18. Who besides this writer, and KSD has done 90 mph on the Pulaski Skyway? If Mr. James M reads this blog, I know he has a tale worth telling.

There were various road signs that curlicued and stated 25 mph. KSD believes a motorcycle can handle those curves 10-15 mph fassssster. When we arrived at the top of the mountain, KSD stopped for a photo op.

Lake Elsinore is far below in the distance. One sign I spied at 80 mph that we were at 2,600 elevation. We arrived alive down the mountain pass, and in the sky we spied dozens of parachutes! I was praying for a hip break, so we found the field and enjoyed the atmosphere for awhile.

At one point I counted 23 jumpers loading into a jet. Right behind them 18 more loaded themselves into another awaiting jet. We had a blast watching these fun loving men and women whoosh onto the field from far heights in the sky.

I then inquired to KSD do we have to go back the way we came? (please say no, please say no!!) Well kids, this wouldn't be a story if we drove back by freeway.

So up the mountain we climb. But this time something has changed. We are on the leaning edge to the abyss. No guardrail, no nuttin' just a painted line to see where the road ends. A mathematician I am not. But I knew our angle of attack was 45 degrees or more. I THOUGHT I WAS GOONA DIE!!!!! Now my brain is thinking, if our tires slip, slide or wobble, that would be it.

We finally make it up and down the crazy road, Phill turns his head and says, "This always makes me feel like I am in a commercial." I say to KSD, "that made me feel like I was in a nightmare!" A chuckle nonetheless.

I guess this is why we have been married 30 years. The Yin and Yang of our relationship!

Ciao for now, and hold on tight!

round town...

Always yearning to learn more about Socal, we have sampled different venues. It has been fun...enjoy the pics.

Bougainvillea grow everywhere! Such beautiful eye candy everywhere you look. These pictures were taken along the Pacific Coast Highway.

We drove to Long Beach, the Queen Mary is dry docked there. Some night we will walk the ghost tour! What a beautiful ship. Phill was so thrilled to see the radio room. Ironically, the equipment looked like what he had to give away for us to move west. His ghost was in that room...dit, dah, dit, dah....

The Queen Mary is also a hotel and has 4 or 5 restaurants. The architecture was unbelievable! We felt transformed back in time!

Doheny State Park 2009 Blues Festival. We enjoyed Sharon Jones, BB King and so many other blues bands! 2 days each May this festival is held. Brian Setzer was the headliner on Saturday. We chose Sunday to take it all in. Hours o'fun. Right in our backyard too. What a way to rock the day. 3 stages a bluezafalooza!

still cRaZy

I am here! Haven't had much to say lately. We sold our NJ house last week. As you can see, I am hangin' in there.....

Hope all is well with everyone who reads these blogs of dumby.

Enjoy the day, and eat a marshmallow or two for smiles and happiness!

WHOMISCAL!!!

Today I was reading The New Yorker magazine, (no I wasn't it just sounded far more intellectual than what I was really reading.. Knit Patterns for the Blonde...) and I read the word what I thought was "WHOMISICAL". Realizing my whimsical misread, I went off on a tangent. Whimsy is giggles, tiptoes, fairies and cute animals dressed in cute clothing.

Whomzy I decided, is loud raucous laughter when something just hits your funny bone, screaming in surprise when scared; then laughing till tears run down your face, cross-eyed mermaids, and things/places/people you see that make an impact with gleeful fun.

Today my sister called to tell me about the skunk in her backyard. She had me whomzy laughing, I hope I didn't blow out her eardrums! The problem with whomzies, is that is is contagious! Whomiscal laughter can spread so fast..before you know it, everyone in the vicinity will catch the "bug".

Tonight I decided it is Italian homemade sauce Baked Ravioli night.

So, I went on a scavenger hunt in my local food store. I didn't realize that I was on a hunt until:

#1 The only ravioli sold is Celantano's. One brand, two sizes. Mini or not.

#2 Italian Blend Cheese by Sargento, is not sold in Socal.

(by now the Whomzy has set in, and I start laughing to myself. Which I had to call my sister, and start laughing with her.)

#3 The meat department doesn't sell Meatloaf mix (you know ground beef, pork and veal.) The butcher sort of giggled when I asked him if he sold it. By the way, I make a mean homemade sauce with this mix. I now have 3 lbs of ground meat....Yes, It is all cooking on the stove. Cooking for an army again!!

#4 Pistachio ice cream is not to be found in my local food stores. More laughter at this point.

The manager did come up to me in the store asking if I was finding everything ok. HAHAHAHAHA. I had the whomiscal look on my face, and answered, "Oh yes."

I know reading this silliness and nonsense has you remembering something Whomiscal in your life!

Got Whomzy?

drum it in!

Sunday we found ourselves at Huntington Beach. It is north of where we live; and a very touristy beach town. Unlike the seaside towns of Jersey, there are no rides here or boardwalk. Many of the beach towns though on the left coast have fishing piers that expand out over the ocean waves. Some piers have full blown restaurants, "Ruby's" at the end, or just a shack that sells food. Always, there are characters that complete the atmosphere of the beach area.

We were in for a treat, because upon getting out of our car we heard drums!! I love drum circles, there is something so free about them! We meandered ( I danced a little), towards the music, and found an eclectic group of musicians, dancers, families, children all enjoying the freedom of free flowing music. Even the gentleman with the cowbell found his place in this multi-cultural group. The age range was from young teens to senior citizens. We saw one man at least 80 years old with a huge smile on his face while he sat with the crowd drumming to the music.

I found this video on You Tube of exactly what we saw and heard yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsME3VwnvcA

Now I need to buy a djembe and drum my little happy heart out!

sumpin' a-fowl is going on 'round here..

Every once in awhile Phill can get free tickets to the Anaheim Ducks. Being new to the area, and truthfully wanting to "try" new things/venues, (free is always a bonus) we went to the Honda Arena to partake as spectator fans in a hockey game...The Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks. Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

This is the second game we have attended. At least this time I didn't say "NY Rangers" out loud. Phill said he would fine me $100 smackeroos if I played snob again!

So this venture to the arena, we figured why not blend in (can we do that?), and enjoy the evening with a few thousand or more fans.

Struggling through traffic on The 5, we arrive in style having enough time to enjoy the outdoor party hosted by the Ducks! All fans were invited, "To join in and enjoy the playoff atmosphere." Somehow that struck me funny.

The color of the night was either orange or black. Phill was wearing plaid (always mad for it), and I fuchsia. Maybe a hasty decision isn't always the bestest one, we purchased Duck's apparel. I threw my jersey over this Jersey girl, Phill had to go inside the men's room and change.

Waiting for Phill, I am feeling like one of the crowd! Yea, this is my team. When I spot Phill walking towards me in his Duck Duck, oh you silly goose, jersey I start to laugh.

Phill says, "What's so funny?" I am pretty sure I made him self conscious.

I replied, "Do you feel like a db right now?" ( A more polite term for db, is Scmucky Duck). We start howling!

What were we thinking? Wearing the other gangs colors!! We have always been NY Ranger's fans, but not fans like we are YANKEE fans.

We bleed blue.

To get past this silliness, let's eat some fooood!

Not everyone was wearing the color of the evening. We did have Weinerschnitzel's Angus hot dogs, and poor, poor Phill had to suffer and get a photo with these two pathetic, Miller Lite girls.

I had to retake the photo 3 times, just to make sure Phill was looking at the camera lens! Focus here Phill.

I decided I needed a photo-op with a popcorn hottie. The teen behind the counter wasn't into old Italian, chubby, popcorn eaters. No photo op with him. HIS LOSS!!

Oh well, so I made my own fun. Now this is where in times past, I have gotten myself into little bits of trouble! "Hey Dessert Boy!" (another tale, another time....)

As we strolled into the arena, we even received crying towels, to whip and wave around! I sprained my right wrist trying to rotate the silly thing. I also had some loose popcorn kernels on it, after knoshing on my Popcornopolis Kettle Corn. I realized after gyrating the towel after a huge brawl on the ice, that the fans behind me might be wearing embedded bits o'corn! I couldn't make myself to turn around. Better than beer down the back, right?

Oh the Schmucky Ducks? They lost. Their punches were on target, their pucks? Foggedaboudit. I wanted to start a chant, "Let's go schmucker's!" I knew that was not the best thing to yell...

We have tickets again for tomorrow night. We will wear our colors, bring our towels, and hope to see finally a winning Stanley Cup Ice Hockey Playoff Game.

round town and back again

While my family was visiting in socal, we have had some fun day trips. We visited the Santa Monica Fishing Pier, Mullholland Drive, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Knott Berry Farms; visiting new areas and taking wonderful pics.

Santa Monica's Pier is so small compared to the boardwalk's in Jersey. I couldn't imagine summertime crowds trying to get around each other. Us Jerseyians all understand the Bennie stroll. Santa Monica was quite beautiful and quaint. The sea breeze and expansive beach were inviting to say the least!

Zoltar told me my fortune. I had to listen quite closely. I thought I heard Zoltar say something about being a weird chick. I must of heard wrong! Fortune Smortune!

Mullholland Drive was this incredibly windy, hilly, cliff-edged road heading towards Beverly Hills. There were so many "For Sale" signs out in front of the gated hill-top drives. We were searching for someone famous or even paparazzi. No luck. We even had a bet going about how many Rolls-Royce we would see in this area. By the end of the day, zero were spotted. I think the cars are not allowed on the roads on Mondays. I am pretty sure I read that somewhere..... We did see this though....

This is someones front gate to their property. A house. Not a hotel, resort or spa. A home. Cripe!

Entering Hollywood we drove by the Muppet Studios. Which used to be Charlie Chaplin's Home and Studio. Daniel had a visit their last year. He said the studio is remarkable inside.

We also shopped in Amoeba Music in Hollywood. "The Supreme Source For Your Musical Inspiration". Over 1 million new and used cd's in stock! I wanted to take pics inside the store, but didn't want to get forced to get a tattoo or something pierced!

I found a great DVD set of Rocky and Bullwinkle, and a set of The Little Rascals. Now I need a rainy day, to sit back and laugh watching these old shows. Amoeba Music's front door faces the 'Hollywood' sign out into the distance. Somewhere in this foreground of the picture, you can spy the sign.

Yesterday, we went to Knott Berry Farms. I am not a big amusement park kind of person. I was excited to go, since I always wanted to visit since I was a kid. The heck with roller coasters and rides! I wanted to see Charlie Brown and the Gang!

I have to admit though. Seeing Lucy's head the size of a medicine ball, was a little creepy. I only screamed out loud once!

Next road trip? In San Diego there is a diner, "The Corvette Diner". It is relocating, so I will wait to go there. But, I was told by two very believable sources...

the patrons can misbehave just a little. And, the staff breaks out in song or something like that.

On one of those silly nights when there is nuttin' else to do.......road trip!