Recouping from Christmas--more random thoughts

Well Darlings I trust you all had a wonderful Christmas? I do hope so.

This Diva had a fabulous one, I drove to my oldest brother’s home in San Francisco, with the cold weather the view from his house was limited as there was fog and clouds, and he had the fire going in his fireplace which made everything so cheerful.

Lois, my sister-in-law, helped me get settled in their guest room, she had not met little Princess but she was enchanted with my Diva Darling and the good thing is she is so well house broken. After we got settled, my brother Tom suggested we take a little walk around the neighborhood just to see the lights, and my little girl had her exercise.

When we returned, we had a light dinner, Lois’s housekeeper Marla was going to go to mid-night mass at her church afterwards, but would be with us on Christmas day to serve dinner, but was going on holiday after it was served. Lois had contracted with a house cleaning service to do the clean up the next day, which was just fine for everyone.

Mass at our church was lovely, and uplifting, as we walked back to my brother’s car, there was a man and woman who were homeless and living out of their car, my brother gave them a fair amount of money, they said that they could get gas for their car and drive to her sister’s house who would take them in---they only problem was getting enough to fill up the gas tank because they needed to go to San Jose, they blessed us and we wished them well.

As we got into my brother’s car I asked him, “what prompted you to help them?” and he said he wasn’t sure but he just knew they needed help and felt that what he could give them would make a difference. Lois and I looked at each other and agreed, if by their getting to their relatives’ home it would give them a chance that could make all the difference in the world.

Back at my brother’s we had a nice hot glass of milk with Kuala and went to bed, the next day, I helped Lois with the last bit of preparations and Marla put the finishing touches to the dinner.

And we were invaded. My brother has 4 children all married and all with children, so it was quite a noisy affair, to make it easy on Marla we had dinner first, then Marla could catch her ride to her relatives house and Lois and I would serve the dessert and coffee, but first had to exchange the presents after dinner but before dessert, and I have to say not a single person was disappointed, one of my nephews heard that I had a tiny dog and even got a little gift for her, a squeaky mouse, and it turns out that Princess would not give it up, so to make things interesting for her one of the children would sneak the mouse and roll it up in the left over gift wrap and Princess would look for it and tear into the gift wrap to get it, the children did it over and over until Princess was just worn out.

I must say that I had a wonderful day, and took lots of pictures because they grow so fast.

The next Day Lois and I slept a bit late but we had to be up and ready because the contracted housemaids would be at the house by 11 a.m. I must say they were very efficient and careful. And in a matter of a few hours everything was washed, dried, vacuumed, straightened, neaten and put away. Then we grabbed a cab and went shopping.

That evening we all were invited to a friend of theirs house for Bridge and snacks, but for the next few days, Lois and I went to this Spa that she loves and we had facials, and massages and foot massages, and just pampered. It felt so good, then we grabbed a cab and went to Union Square and plunged into the Holiday sales, for me I just love the perfume package sets, and bought Dior’s J’adore and Gurilan’s Insolence, Of course I just had to see what was being offered by Estee Lauder, then a light lunch and back again to shopping.

We did that for 3 whole days, I found the right black everyday use Coach bag, simple in style without being so gaudy with the Coach logo, and was able to get another piece of the Samsonite Retro collection luggage. And some beautiful pieces of jewelry.

Of course all fun things have to come to an end, and so this Saturday morning I had breakfast with my brother and sister-in-law, packed all my treasures into my car Ms. Wicked, tucked Princess into her little carry tote and drove back home. One thing I’m happy to say is that my mail and newspaper is dropped directly into the house so there is no tell-tale that no one is not at home and all was well.

So this Diva is taking a little break from putting things away, shredding junk mail, putting old newspapers into the recyclable bin, sorting the bills, balancing the check book, and thinking what to do for dinner. Hmmmm I think I’ll go to Angela’s, do some grocery shopping, and then I’m either going to watch Nick and Nora solve the mystery of “The Thin Man” or watch La Marlene in “Witness for the Prosecution” hmmm maybe a James Bond movie, well I guess I’m going to have to spin the dial for that choice.

But Monday I’m going to have to contact Merry Maids to see if they can do a fluff and dust on the house, without my precious Juanita to keep things in line things can get out of hand.

And then its NEW YEAR’S oh I’m looking forward to that! But it will be a bit sad to take down the holiday decorations, but then the spring will come.

Now my Diva Darlings, a little lesson for all of you, I know that not all of you are in the wonderful position that I am in to be able to have a live-in housekeeper or daily help, but if you keep your home organized and work to maintain that organization, it will make it much easier for you to keep it clean, I also suggest at least once a week a good housekeeping service to vacuum, dust and if need be see if they can do other more heavier cleaning such as the stove and changing sheets, you can always do your own laundry, I certainly am no stranger to a washing machine, iron or stove but if you want to maintain your manicure and soft hands and you can afford it do look into a good house cleaning service.

Well Darlings, until the next time all of you use this time wisely and recuperate for the next holiday event.

Until Anon Darlings, this fabulous Diva signing off and going to have a few days to rest.

Last minute Christmas thoughts and ideas

Well Darlings,

Christmas is almost here. The last few gifts are wrapped and boxed and ready to go.

Juanita has joined her daughter and son-in-law and already she’s called me so happy that she forgot that my Spanish is limited. But her brother and sister and their families that she has not seen in over 5 years have arrived, her daughter’s house is over flowing she is just sooo happy and I am happy for her.

For myself well in about an hour I am having some friends over for drinks and little munchies, all very pot luck, already I have the radio playing Christmas music. Koit is such a wonderful station.

Yesterday Bill, Irma, Kevin and I went to Dunsmuir house for the last of the holiday tours, I just love it, so Victorian Christmassy, then we had an early Dinner at this restaurant that none of us have tired before but we heard it was good, Jojo’s in Piedmont, divinely well worth the excellent marks it’s been receiving.

All right Darlings I’ll tell you what we had; now I have to confess I’ve always had a good appetite so I can still burn off the calories, but I do exercise as well—don’t want to be flabby.

It has been so chilly that we all started off with the Butternut squash soup. I had the grilled tuna and Irma had the scallops in a clan and bacon stew. The men as men do had the flat iron steak, of course we all had to sample what the other was having, and darlings, do make reservations. They are on the web so you will have an idea of their menu and prices. For dessert I had the sorbet, and Irma dived into the pear and vanilla profiterole, the men had the cheese selection and stole bits of our desserts.

For drinks the men had beer, and Irma and I had the Chablis. Delightful.

Then we drove around and looked at the Christmas lights in the areas’ that have been marked as Christmas lanes’ with Koit playing on the radio. Everyone was doing that so a great deal of attention had to be paid to on the pedestrians. We finished at Bill and Irma’s home for coffee and cookies what a lovely evening, then Kevin took me home and then….. Well Darlings that would be telling.

And I treasure Juanita so; she had everything ready in the Refrigerator with instructions for me how to heat everything. Well we did do a trade off----I helped her wrap her grandchildren’s presents , so much ribbon and paper and we were laughing because we knew the children would just rip it all off and poor little Princess she got so excited that she started running around the house with scraps of Christmas wrap in her mouth and just growling.

But now the house is lighted with candles, and decorations in red, green and gold, the smells of cinnamon and vanilla and hot cider flow through the house, it’s sort of a house warming as well, because many of my friends have not seen it yet, so this will be an experience for them.

Now for my little Diva lesson, Darlings if you want to throw a party, you can get wonderful platters from your Deli section at your supermarket, or at Cost Co. and all kinds of paper goods as well there. For beverages, Beverages and More has an excellent selection and I recommend inexpensive wine glasses, if it breaks you don’t cry, and you can store it until the next time---restaurant supplies houses offer them. And always make sure that your home has a dishwasher---it’s such a life saver.

And even better have it pot luck with a white elephant gift exchange, things in good shape one doesn’t want or even silly things that one sees can be exchanged at this little game. For the last 4 years a strange looking plastic statue has been circulating around among us, I wonder who will get it this year. Everyone comes up with an unusual way to disguise it.

Tomorrow Constance and her oldest Daughter will come by to help with the clean up and putting away of things, but I don’t want to keep her away from her family too long, so with the three of us it should go quickly. Constance offered because I’m giving her mother a nice long holiday vacation with pay, it’s only fair. Darlings remember, if you have staff that do well for you, treat them well, they can be life savers.

Then Princess and I go off to my brothers in San Francisco, I’ll be staying at his home for the next few days, We’ll be going to Mid-night Mass and a late snack, and then the children and grandchildren (my nieces and nephews) will invade for Christmas Day dinner, then to recover my sister-in-law and I are going to pamper ourselves at this Spa that she’s discovered for the next few days after Christmas and we may see if there is any special sales we can find at Saks or Tiffany’s.

And then on to New Years!! Kevin wants to dress up 1940’s and dance the evening away on the U.S.S. Hornet he’s bought the Admirals seating tickets and the buffet dinner reservations---who am I so say ‘no’.

Romance Darlings, Romance!!

Must go my guests will be here any minute.

Until Anon Darlings, Merry Christmas and Many More.

Random Holiday Thoughts

Well Possums,

The weather outside is cold and frightful, but as the song says, thanks to central heating the temperature inside is delightful.

I hope all you Diva’s and Diva’s-in-Training had a marvelous Thanksgiving holiday, I know I did with my friends and then I had the opportunity to visit my Brother and his wife in Santa Barbara, they have such a wonderful Spanish style home with a magnificent view of the Ocean. Of course knowing how dry drought conditions can be and considering all the fires that have been happening, he has taken very serious steps to insure that his home will be as fire safe as possible. All the usual precautions but also a most interesting pump system in which the entire house and grounds will be sprayed with water in case of fire----all it takes is a telephone call to trigger it if he’s away at work.

He hopes he never has to use it.

And of course I got to see my nieces and nephews as well, and I’m happy to say that a couple of weddings are in the planning stages, I advised them to make it simple and to not over do anything, see what the catering firm and the banquet hall can offer and focus on the wedding vows. Who knows before long there will be (I hope) little Diva’s in training for an Auntie to spoil.

Juanita had a wonderful Thanksgiving with her family and friends, I called her and said to take a few more days off as I was going to be a while with my own family, who I must confess also spoiled my little Diva Darling, Princess.

And now Christmas time is here, All right Diva’s now what do you do for the holidays.

There is one thing that I always advise Diva’s---do not forget the true meaning of Christmas. It is the time of giving, not just the giving of expensive gifts that can totally crash one’s credit card----that is the commercial aspect drummed up by corporations to extract from you from your hard earned cash on trivial things.

No Darlings----give something that will help----there are charities that help the homeless, battered women, needful children, food for families that are in need, who can barely rub to nickels together for warmth. There are the elderly, the forgotten, and the sick.

Look for charities that will help them such as Toys for Tots, St. Jude’s Hospital, Doctors without Borders, any local Food Bank, a local Church’s soup kitchen, Meals on Wheels and many more. Check your newspaper to see where help is needed.

Not to brag but I donate to St. Jude’s hospital and since I do not have children of my own I give to Toys for Tots, and Doctor’s without Borders. As well as other charities. Does it salve my conscious because I have while many do not?

Well Darlings not to sound maudlin but I put that question to my dear friend Mean Kitty----now she can have the sharpest tongue on this planet, but she looked at me and said (and I quote her) “It is important in life to help those not as fortunate, because by any act of kindness it just may be the very thing needed to help someone get back on their feet, but do not seek praise for it---just do it and don’t look back----Jesus once asked his apostles several questions and when they responded in the right way he said, “Feed my Flock, Guard my Sheep” His Flock and Sheep were all of human kind---now it’s impossible to save the entire world, but you can help one corner of it---just do it and don’t think about it, but do it all year long.”

And she was right and that is a Diva lesson for everyone----now on the practical side of donating to charities---Keep the receipts because your generosity helps at tax time. No matter what---a Diva must be practical as well.

Now for something Frivolous----I must confess I had a wonderful time at the Art Deco Deco the Halls antique show and sale----and I found the perfect Desk and Chair with matching glass enclosed book shelves all in blond wood right out of the 1940’s they look perfect in my little office/library. I already have a work center for the computer and everything----but it is not the same as a beautiful desk and chair to hand write notes and balance one’s budget----of course I have an excellent accountant, but Darlings it’s a wise Diva who always keeps an eye on her accounts and expenditures. And to be able to do it at a real desk gives a certain elegance that a computer workstation just does not have.

And I’m still doing decorating in my lovely new home; it’s shaping up very nicely.

And for Christmas, already I have a few choice decorations placed around the house and Manuel has strung some light decorations in the Front, including a perfect miniature tree. So cheerful. Some of my neighbors go to great lengths in decorating but I can understand it, they have children and grand children so why not.

Betsy, Will and I will be going to the Dunsmuir house Christmas Tour a lovely event but one must dress warmly and then well take in the holiday lights that are on display all over the town. I’ve already seen the Dickens Fair with Kenneth; it just gets you into the holiday spirit. And of course the traditional Nutcracker Ballet that is offered by the San Francisco Ballet Co.

I’m giving Juanita time off for the few days before Christmas to just after the New Year, she has family coming into town to visit and there is never enough time to see family.

I am going to see my other Brother and his wife and their children and little grandchildren for Christmas dinner in San Francisco; it will be nice to catch up on all their events in their lives.

Remember Diva’s Christmas is a time for family and friends----but if you love to shop, wear comfortable shoes and get to the stores early.

And I also advise that you read my friend Mean Kitty’s blog about Christmas---she really knows the spirit of Christmas. Her blog is http://meankittynotpc.blogspot.com.

Possums I must confess it was her that got me into doing a blog, even if it is a vanity one.

But now I must tell you that for one day out of the entire year, I am humbled, it’s on Christmas Eve, yes Darlings, I go to church and there listening to the prayers, the singing, I reflect back on my life and how blessed I am and I think long and hard about that family on a cold night looking for shelter and the promise that was presented.

Darlings I do recommend, go to Church at least twice a year, on Christmas Eve and on Easter Eve it’s only then that you can truly understand the meaning of life. For all my frivolity I do read the Bible and I do ponder upon the teachings of the man from Nazareth, I am fallible, I make mistakes, I am vain, and maybe selfish, but no matter what I try to do the best I can, for all my sins.

And that too is being a Diva. So Happy Holidays Darlings, Enjoy! And if you don’t hear from me before New Years---well I’m having fun!

Until Anon. this Diva is snuggling up with her little Diva Darling and dreaming of Gucci, Prada, Chanel