Time to bring you up to date Darlings,

I think Darlings that it is time that I have brought all of you up to speed on what has happened in this Diva’s life.

I told you that I bought a new car “Miss Wicked” and was in the process of selling my old home and buying a new one.

Well there was a bidding war for my home, most unusual, I didn’t expect it but a husband and wife (both doctors) with two children (boy 6, girl 4) finally laid claim to it. We worked out a very happy arrangement.

Most of the furniture that I had I was happy to sell with the exception of some personal pieces, I have this beautiful Art Modern Vanity table and chair made of solid Maple that was lighten, that has a very unusual shape. It was a piece that I insisted on purchasing, even though my late husband despised it, he claimed it was too, too decadent, poor prude.

But in my previous maudlin state I told you a bit about my marriage to him, not a bad one really when you consider the number of abused women that have to suffer the tortures of the damned.

But enough of that Possums. Well while I was waiting on who would purchase my house and selling off (thanks to an excellent antique dealer that I know) what I didn’t want, I closed the deal on Iris’s house---a very simple arrangement really, had a team of workmen in there to spruce it up with paint and lay down new cedar in the closets, check out the plumbing, bought a new stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, washer, dryer. Just so much FUN!

In the mean time I had my housekeeper Juanita and her daughter Constance store for moving my wardrobe---and it was a good thing it was a team effort, there were things I decided I didn’t want. Constance was eying this evening gown that I couldn’t make up my mind about and I decided that I didn’t want it, so I asked her if she would like it (we’re the same size) and she did. So since Constance was my size we came to a very happy arrangement. I told her that if there was something that didn’t look good on her to take it to this high-end consignment shop and she could get extra money for it.

But the evening gown---It looked so beautiful and right for her----I told her she better keep it for special events. When her husband Manuel came into the room he was dumfounded, his mouth just hung open and then a big smile came on his face, and he said to her in Spanish “You are so beautiful, this makes you look like a Queen, an Angel”

Well even more things turned out just right---Poor Juanita told me that the rent on her small apartment was being raised and couldn’t afford the increase, but that Constance and Manuel wanted to take her in but things would be very crowded I told them that there is a Maid’s room at the new house and if Juanita wanted to she could move in there.

Well we all went over to the new house, (I had to check on the workmen anyway) and showed Juanita the room with its own bath. It’s view out onto the lagoon, and Juanita said that it was larger than her own apartment---- Darlings that even shocked me!

Right away we made arrangements, I talked to the workmen and told them the next room to be painted was Juanita’s and we set about choosing colors (really Juanita did I wanted it to be her choice).

Now my Dear’s where is this all going----simple----it’s a wise Diva that can take a situation and make it so that by benefiting others it also benefits you. By having Juanita move into the new house, she would be saving money on rent; her daughter knew that she would be safe. I was guaranteed that someone would be watching the house when I traveled. And Constance and Manuel would be able to help me on the property from time to time. And I could rely on them. Juanita would avoid that horrible commute and feel more relaxed and refreshed and she could park her car in the three car garage, which still left enough space to store things like extra linens or holiday decorations.

So after the workmen painted Juanita’s room, her family helped her move in, and once the workmen were completely done working on the house, I had a landscaper come in and work on improving the landscape---I decided on roses, very fragrant roses.

Then Irma and I went to Thomasville and I bought the selected pieces of furniture from the Bogart Lux Collection that I wanted. Dears the Bedroom piece with the curved headboard and matching end tables was a perfect match to my vanity table. I just knew I was on the right track. All so Art Deco to Art Modern, and then it was new bed linens, and everything else.

I’m still decorating the place, although I love the dinning room chairs I was not happy with the dinning room table, so I’m still looking for a table.

But Darlings I’m happy, comfortably ensconced in a home I adore, I sold the one that was too big for me but perfect for the family that bought it (just know that now it will be a happy home)---made a nice little bundle on the antique furniture that my late---but not very lamented husband had purchased.

And now I’m going to the Art Deco Show that will be offered in December---two days worth of looking and choosing, I don’t know what I’m going to find---but it will be fun looking for it.

Happy?? You can never be too old to be Happy and live your life and your dream, remember that Darlings.

Now I must dress, we are planning to go to Bix’s. Should be fun.

Kisses Darlings, until later, dream expensive dreams.

Buying a new home---Diva Lux

Well Darings,

This Fabulous Diva is in a buying mood.

First a new car--(well I had to you know)

Now I'm house buying (sigh) Yes dears I know, I know interests rates are high, the market is not good----But dear Possums, I'm selling my old home, it is just way too big for Moi. I mean 4 bedrooms 4 1/2baths, a gigantic dinning room, 3 stories high---way too much for my bones.

Well I was planning to put it on the market anyway and fortunately for Moi I have 3 couples(all with children)that are very interested in it---it's just a question of who will come up to scratch- A good thing is they all have very excellent well-paying jobs.

I feel very bad for many people now a days---you have to earn at least $100,000.00 a year just to be able to buy a condo in California.

Now dear future Divas the point I want to make to all of you---before I go on bragging what I'm going to buy (yes dears I do admit to bragging)---you have to start working now to get the type of job you want to bring the income you want to buy what you want and still set enough aside to be able to retire on.

I was wise enough in my teens to realize that---fortunately my Father and Mother showed me how to invest---you can still think like a man and still be a lady---remember that.

Now what am I buying??

Moi has not been letting the grass collect under her feet----My dear friend Irma informed me that her older sister (much older I'm afraid in her 80's but still healthy) needs to go into an excellect care facility---a sort of board and care and as one gets more frail they will shift you to quarters that will meet the needs.

Of course such places do cost money---And Iris (Irma's sister) is very well off. Thank God and smart thinking for the future.

But where do I come into all of this? Simple Darlings---I'm buying Iris's home.

Now don't fret---it's perfect! All on one level, one very large bed room with the most fantastic bathroom a Diva could drool over---that Bathroom is very large with a whirepool bath (jacuzi I think it's called) And three huge Cedar lined walk in closets, perfect for the clothes horse Me.

One room just for jewerly.

Oh but the Bedroom---totally 40's and decadent---one whole wall is mirror paneled with beveled mirrors, floor to ceiling windows that look into a lagoon---of course there is privacy curtains. a three car garage with direct entrance into the entry way and another into the kitchen, a modest dining room, lovely living room with floor to ceiling windows, a lovely art deco inspiried fireplace. Pale hardwood floors thoughout the place.

An excellent kitchen---just need to update the stove and refrigerator---laundry room---maid's room with own bath---and a modest size library/office with its own little rose garden and fountain just out side the sliding doors---Heavy duty alarm system. Tile entry way. A deck on the lagoon, and visiting ducks, white egrets and other birds.

And it's totally earthquake re-inforced--even the mirrors.

So the paperwork is set up, as soon as my house is sold, Iris will receive her monies and I'll have a new home.

All right I know I'm bragging---but darlings look at it this way---my house too big for me but perfect for a growing family, Iris's lovely smaller home---designed for a Diva who is too tired to climb that many stairs.

And a bedroom beautiful enough to seduce ---well I'll let you think whom you want to seduce if you were Moi.

So now tonight---it's a lovely evening--Irma and her delightful husband Bill and I along with Kevin (Moi's date) are going to a wonderful resteraunt tonight in full evening regalia, and then drinks at a nice little jazz club. Possibly a little jaunt along the Great Hyway in Bill's wonderful 1930's Packard. Who knows what the evening will bring.

And tomorrow---well Irma and I are going to select furniture---I'm going for the Thomasville Bogart Lux collection---perfect I think for a Diva home. Then we'll visit Iris in her new place, we want to be sure she is comfortable and we'll take her out to this nice place that serves a wonderful tea.

Am I bragging my dears?? Of course I am---I'm shamless about that----but remember you can do it too. My dear friend Mean Kitty is working on something about investing, which is something you future Divas need to be aware of. If you want the Diva Life you must work at it.

Must go my dears---they will be here in an hour---until Annon.

This Fabulous Diva is slipping into her silver shoes and saying more later. Kisses Darlings.