I know I haven’t “blogged” in the last few weeks, but Moi developed a cold, and so did my dear Juanita, so here we were both of us coughing and sneezing, and just so sick.
Thank God Constance, Juanita’s daughter came to our rescue, with nourishing soups and teas, and getting us our medicines, she also wanted to clean the house, but I told her “no’, she had enough just making sure we were getting well. Well, both Juanita and I had to relent and allow her to change and wash the sheets.
Darlings’, getting sick is ‘no fun’, even though we did get our flu shots it does not prevent coming down with the common cold. Because of that I missed out on some of my usual Christmas events, but at a ‘certain age’ one’s health comes first.
***Sigh***
As my friend “Mean Kitty” would say “Its God’s and your body’s way of saying ‘time to slow down and rest’”, and she’s right. So I skipped going to the Art Deco Societies Deco the Halls event, the Ballet and seeing the Nutcracker, skipped seeing “A Christmas Carol”, seeing the decorations and Christmas Tea at Dunsmuir House and going to the Christmas Revels.
But the day after Thanksgiving, Lois, Tom, the family and I did go the Dickens Christmas Fair and we had a wonderful time, so much to see and do. I really can’t begin to start. But it did get us into the mood. And over the remaining weekend, I set up the Christmas tree and decorated it with Juanita’s help, and Manuel her son-in-law put up the Christmas lights, and then--- “Achoo!”
There was nothing either of us could do but stay in bed and get well. Fortunately Lois bought the Christmas gift certificates for me and I reimbursed her. She told me I had to get better for Christmas, especially for the after Christmas sales.
Ahhh the Christmas sales, I can’t miss that!
All day Friday Juanita and I have been wrapping the Christmas Presents to her Grandchildren that she had managed to buy before she came down ill. Her family has decided that although the adults can do without, the grandchildren can’t and so once again we were covered with tissue and wrapping paper, sticky tape, bows and curling ribbon and constantly looking for the scissors, with Princess attacking every stray piece of wrapping paper that floated down to her and growling at the unknown intruder.
So Darlings, even though I have been laid low by this “bug” I haven’t been lazy, resting yes, lazy no. And now that I have emerged from my “cave” I’ve been able to look over things and this is my recommendations to all you dear Diva’s.
Recommended Diva Reading for 2009~~~~~~~~
The January issue of Money Magazine and the December 22, 2008 issue of Fortune Magazines, their recommendations are well worth reading about and investing in.
The articles in Money Magazine especially on how the secrets of America’s top advisers and is well worth reading and implementing especially if you are young, get into the financial habits that they recommend starting On New Years Day 2009.
Surprisingly the articles in the January 2009 issue of Family Circle are also worth reading to organize your life and lower your carbon footprint, so I recommend that as well. But also read the AARP Bulletin, especially if seniors have been treated in a shabby manner by companies or find themselves in an upsetting financial situation, it can help you decide if the company is the one you want to invest in and secondly to be on the watch for any scams or underhanded dealings.
The January 2009 of Reader’s Digest is running a short article about 9 new scams to avoid and Oprah Winfry’s “O” magazine for January 2009 has an excellent article by Suze Orman on “10 ways to protect your money now”. Photocopy those articles from the magazines that your public library will have and put it on your work bulletin board in your home office.
On the entertainment front-----
With January just around the corner I always recommend that the time between Christmas and New Years, be a combination of taking in the sales and getting started on getting ones’ life in order, personally for me Christmas isn’t over until January 6, the traditional date for the Feast of the Epiphany.
What many people do not realize is that the real 12 days of Christmas is from Christmas to Epiphany when traditionally the 3 wise men presented their gifts to the baby in recognition of his special place in our lives.
And on “Little Christmas”, as some people call it, that is time to start taking down the Christmas decorations, you can even has a little after Christmas party, with everyone bringing something to eat, and have it as a joint effort.
As for me, well Darlings, I’m going to have a little party today, Sunday, with my “Business Ladies Who Lunch”, again Pot Luck. We will be discussing what has been working well for us in the “saving mode” and other plans to save even further.
I will be sending Juanita off to join her family for the Holidays and I told her to not come back until the evening of January 11. I had a Maid Cleaning service in to clean the house before this weekend’s party and I’ll have them in again after New Years that way Juanita won’t have to worry about having to face a major house cleaning or tiring herself out and getting ill again. When I had the Cleaning Service in earlier this week I chased Juanita off so she could find some more Christmas presents for the Grandchildren.
Any if any of you wonder why I’ve hired a maid service, please look at my Dec 2007 blogs and you’ll understand why.
As for Christmas, once again I’ll be going to Tom and Lois’s home for a delicious few days of family fun and wicked indulgences, (again back to the Gym for me later) Lois and I will be going back to that wonderful Spa that she discovered last year, and of course the Christmas sales!
It will be good to hear Tom’s plans for his country place that was destroyed by fire earlier this year and I’ll see how my Darling little Princess gets along with their dog Smokey. Roger and his wife will be up for a few days, they are thinking of getting a Pied a Terre here in San Francisco, I was wondering why but Roger told me in an earlier phone conversation, that some of his business investments have expanded to the East Bay and it gives his wife a chance to shop in the City.
And now with the terrible winter chill, I always look forward to a nice hot toddy and if the “Air Police” will permit it, burning a nice warm fire in the fireplace, I have found out that although there are a number of pre-packaged fireplace logs, Duraflame is the only one that is without any petroleum products in it so it can “burn green” and it’s much better than wood.
But it has been so cold even Princess is wearing a warm sweater tucking her tiny little paws to stay warm, poor Darling, I bought at Walgreen’s a couple of those inexpensive fleecy throw blankets, one for me, one for Juanita and one for little Princess to lie upon while she waits in her chair for me to finish writing.
Ahhhh Juanita is playing some Christmas CD’s big band music of the old favorites, she does know my moods. And Kevin is on the phone calling from Hawaii, so Darlings I must go, so much to do before my ladies get here.
I hope to “Blog” again soon before Christmas, but if not----Then Merry Christmas to all of you and Best Wishes for a Better, Richer Diva New Year.
Until Anon, Kisses Darlings.
Showing posts with label party tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label party tips. Show all posts
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Gaming Parties, and family events
Hello Darlings,
I know it’s been a while since my last post but so much has been happening in my life and in other people’s lives as well.
As you know the economy has gone into the “tank” as some people would call it, but I’ve been able to survive well enough that with only a little cutting things will not be so bad.
I was worried because I had promised Juanita a raise and we were looking into a better health plan for her. Fortunately that turned out well and I was able to give her the raise, and we got her on a much better health plan and includes dental as well.
My lawyer was able to help out on that.
Then my oldest nephew Hank, was in the hospital, it seems he got a nasty bit from a spider or something, and his thumb turned almost black, his wife was not able to get in touch with Tom, his father so she called me and I said “take him into emergency Now!!” and I joined her at the hospital, Juanita offered to watch the children to take the worry off of Janet.
It was a horrible infection, they had to cut part of the tissue out, he was in the hospital for a week on antibiotics and watching for any necropsy, if it had gotten worse they would have had to amputate his left hand.
Tom and his wife were up in Canada visiting friends and I managed to get in touch and let him know that things were going fine for Hank and he was on the mend.
Then this last weekend the fire in Santa Barbara, that was so frightening, I managed to get a hold of Roger and his wife, they said they were out of the fire zone and the fire was moving away from them, but his youngest son and his wife lost their house, they grabbed the dog, the photo albums, the laptop, and the important papers and got out ahead of the flames, so now they are staying with Roger in the guest house until they can decide what to do next. Roger said that his wife took their daughter in law shopping for some clothes and also purchased some clothes for his son as well, so they’ll have something to wear when they finally go back to work.
Roger said that he loves Santa Barbara but he’s going to reconsider where to move to make sure he’s out of any future fire path. I think he’s going to move more into town or closer to the beach. And to think Fire has struck my family twice this year, sometimes I wonder if God is trying to tell us something, perhaps to not be so prideful.
A very big sigh----My friends and I are thinking of more inexpensive ways to entertain ourselves, oh there are fun things, but now a days with prices going up, we were not sure what to do, the theatre, the movies, gas, food, just dining out there is much less disposable income.
Many of my friends are thinking of going to more community theatre events, and only going to very special big ticket items like “the Phantom of the Opera”. But I simply refuse to give up seeing the San Francisco Ballet’s “Nutcracker” it’s tradition for me.
But less opera, less symphony, less ballet, less dinning out, more museums and little theatre, movie rentals and at home gatherings, lately my friends and I have started having “game parties” that is where you have several tables with different board games of no less than 4 players, and it can be 3 or 4 different board games. Monopoly is one, Scrabble is another, Yatzee, and there are even different types of Monopoly games, like San Francisopoly. Everyone brings a different hoer’s deuve and makes sure that nothing is repeated food wise as well as a beverage; the Host provides tea and coffee and desert, and those that have them bring a folding table and chairs, with the food on the dinning room table.
There are different card games as well, so it pays to have a number of decks, I’ve found some beautiful ones at the White Elephant sale and a current book of Hoyle’s rules.
I’ve even indulged in children’s card games, and a puzzle table, you never can tell what is in the offering.
And it seems that these “Gaming Parties” are going very well. My brother’s are doing it and so are their friends, it’s relatively cheap, and not a burden on any one person, sometimes for small gatherings like 4 to 6 people a puzzle table is the best because it can promote conversation and people can dress casually.
So what is the lesson for all you young Diva’s out there? You can plan a party where loud music is not essential nor getting “bombed” on drink or drugs should be considered the norm, this is a good way for people to get to know each other, really get to know each other. It will help you also to weed out those that do not have class nor do not have any self control, it will help you choose those friends that are really friends in every sense of the word.
Well Darlings, I’m going to relax with a cup of tea and a movie, I’m not sure what I will watch, Hmmm I think a Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes film would be good, it’s that kind of evening. Juanita will be back from her family by 11 p.m. she’s been telling them about the idea of “Gaming Parties” as well, she told me on the phone that they’ve done several and the family really likes the idea.
To Inari, Thank you, I appreciate the feedback.
So now to relax, and forget worries.
Until Anon Darlings, Kisses.
I know it’s been a while since my last post but so much has been happening in my life and in other people’s lives as well.
As you know the economy has gone into the “tank” as some people would call it, but I’ve been able to survive well enough that with only a little cutting things will not be so bad.
I was worried because I had promised Juanita a raise and we were looking into a better health plan for her. Fortunately that turned out well and I was able to give her the raise, and we got her on a much better health plan and includes dental as well.
My lawyer was able to help out on that.
Then my oldest nephew Hank, was in the hospital, it seems he got a nasty bit from a spider or something, and his thumb turned almost black, his wife was not able to get in touch with Tom, his father so she called me and I said “take him into emergency Now!!” and I joined her at the hospital, Juanita offered to watch the children to take the worry off of Janet.
It was a horrible infection, they had to cut part of the tissue out, he was in the hospital for a week on antibiotics and watching for any necropsy, if it had gotten worse they would have had to amputate his left hand.
Tom and his wife were up in Canada visiting friends and I managed to get in touch and let him know that things were going fine for Hank and he was on the mend.
Then this last weekend the fire in Santa Barbara, that was so frightening, I managed to get a hold of Roger and his wife, they said they were out of the fire zone and the fire was moving away from them, but his youngest son and his wife lost their house, they grabbed the dog, the photo albums, the laptop, and the important papers and got out ahead of the flames, so now they are staying with Roger in the guest house until they can decide what to do next. Roger said that his wife took their daughter in law shopping for some clothes and also purchased some clothes for his son as well, so they’ll have something to wear when they finally go back to work.
Roger said that he loves Santa Barbara but he’s going to reconsider where to move to make sure he’s out of any future fire path. I think he’s going to move more into town or closer to the beach. And to think Fire has struck my family twice this year, sometimes I wonder if God is trying to tell us something, perhaps to not be so prideful.
A very big sigh----My friends and I are thinking of more inexpensive ways to entertain ourselves, oh there are fun things, but now a days with prices going up, we were not sure what to do, the theatre, the movies, gas, food, just dining out there is much less disposable income.
Many of my friends are thinking of going to more community theatre events, and only going to very special big ticket items like “the Phantom of the Opera”. But I simply refuse to give up seeing the San Francisco Ballet’s “Nutcracker” it’s tradition for me.
But less opera, less symphony, less ballet, less dinning out, more museums and little theatre, movie rentals and at home gatherings, lately my friends and I have started having “game parties” that is where you have several tables with different board games of no less than 4 players, and it can be 3 or 4 different board games. Monopoly is one, Scrabble is another, Yatzee, and there are even different types of Monopoly games, like San Francisopoly. Everyone brings a different hoer’s deuve and makes sure that nothing is repeated food wise as well as a beverage; the Host provides tea and coffee and desert, and those that have them bring a folding table and chairs, with the food on the dinning room table.
There are different card games as well, so it pays to have a number of decks, I’ve found some beautiful ones at the White Elephant sale and a current book of Hoyle’s rules.
I’ve even indulged in children’s card games, and a puzzle table, you never can tell what is in the offering.
And it seems that these “Gaming Parties” are going very well. My brother’s are doing it and so are their friends, it’s relatively cheap, and not a burden on any one person, sometimes for small gatherings like 4 to 6 people a puzzle table is the best because it can promote conversation and people can dress casually.
So what is the lesson for all you young Diva’s out there? You can plan a party where loud music is not essential nor getting “bombed” on drink or drugs should be considered the norm, this is a good way for people to get to know each other, really get to know each other. It will help you also to weed out those that do not have class nor do not have any self control, it will help you choose those friends that are really friends in every sense of the word.
Well Darlings, I’m going to relax with a cup of tea and a movie, I’m not sure what I will watch, Hmmm I think a Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes film would be good, it’s that kind of evening. Juanita will be back from her family by 11 p.m. she’s been telling them about the idea of “Gaming Parties” as well, she told me on the phone that they’ve done several and the family really likes the idea.
To Inari, Thank you, I appreciate the feedback.
So now to relax, and forget worries.
Until Anon Darlings, Kisses.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
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.
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.
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