Early Christmas Shopping

Well Darlings,

This Diva has been having some fun. I went to the Art Deco's Society's "Deco the Hall's" event earlier this month and just had a ball. Irma and Bill were with me, again we traveled in Bill's Packard. She had to look for some clothing for herself and Bill for an auto club event that is happening in the Spring.

I think I have more fun just looking at things, than buying but I wanted a desk that would just right for my little library, in my home (I couldn't bring Princess with me, no furry diva darlings allowed ***pout***).

And I found it, a blonde wood art moderne desk with matching chair, just the right size and there were matching glass enclosed book cases. So I bought it, and made arrangements to have it delivered. I just could not belive my luck!

And there is this marvelous lady whose speciality is luggage, Irma and Bill were just thrilled!

Needless to say Yes Darlings I spent money, but I was surprised at the price being so affordable in this world of collectables and antiques.

And then I saw it---a painting that I thought was lost forever---I have to confess in my wild youth, there was a young painter who painted me in the "Soft Cubeizem" style of Tamara de Leimpika, and there it was in my blonde glory in the midnight blue evening gown. I wanted the painting and my father said he would pay for it, but this artist said that it was not for sale and disappeared.

I asked the person who was selling it where did it come from and he said an estate in New York, an artist that did very decent portraits. I told the gentleman that there should be on the back of the canvas a date and I gave him the date and my name. He, with some assistance took the painting down and looked and it was there, so he asked me how did I know and I said "I am the lady that the artist painted".

The look on this man's face was so precious, he said that when he saw me that I looked familar to him but he didn't place it until I was side by side with the painting. We talked price over and came to an agreeable figure and he would deliver the painting personally.

It now hangs in my living room, I have to confess it does dominate the room, but he had it very handsomely framed, and I am so glad after all these years that it was well taken care of and it's home with me.

Irma and I collected business cards as well so we can make appointments with some of the dealers, many operate from their homes although there are some that have stores, but we were happy.

Although Princess was a little miffed that she had to be left behind, but I made it up to her. (alright yes I do spoil her).

Last Thursday, Juanita was very sad and I asked her why, she said she was planning to go shopping with her daughter but her daughter Constance had come down with a cold. I was concerned because I care for Juanita and her family and although most of her children live in San Jose, Constance and her husband live nearby. I asked Juanita if she had her flu and pnumonia shot and she said she did, so I told her to go and check on her daughter to see if she needed anything and take care of her.

Well last night Juanita told me that all Constance needs is rest, and Manuel is doing very well, but Constance was just too miserable to go shopping with her Mother to get things for the children. So I asked Juanita if she had the list of what Constance wanted to get and she did, she was hoping if I could spare her so she could shop, but her car for some reason didn't want to start.

So I said "Juanita, you know I love to shop---we'll go in Ms. Wicked and then tomorrow call the mechanic to have him come and tow your car and get it fixed---don't worry about the bill!"

O.K. Darlings---now why did I do this---Juanita has given me many years of excellent assistance, and I know that she gives a good deal of her money to her family, I did not want her to be worried with a bill, it's a wise Diva that knows that to help out one's staff, it helps them in the long run.

Well today I had fun at Target and WalMart---and it was nice to discover handy little storage things for one's closet and office---but Ms. Wicked was just crowded with gifts for the grandchildren---and wrapping paper, ribbon, tags, and yes we needed lots of tape and two sissors.

And tomorrow after Juanita's car is at the repair shop we are off again----even Juanita was laughing---espeically since we are going to hide all the presents in my garage ***even I am giggling at the thought***

So we ordered Chinese take out (I mean Possums during the Holidays who has time to cook) and we were wrapping presents---taking a little break---tomorrow we will wrap some more, shop and wrap even more.

And so for now I'm going to stretch out and watch a Nick and Nora Charles movie with Princess who has been having fun tearing up bows, Juanita is in her robe and her fuzzy slippers, and made huge steaming cups of hot chocolate for the both of us, so for now it's relaxing time Darlings.

All of you have a Happy Holiday season, and be sure to take your vitamins.

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.