I seem to have lost track of time.  I am clearly on vacation time in my born-again tourist role.  I had to confirm with my brother what day of the week it is as we have been running around doing things as if every day is a Saturday.  Yesterday we (me, my brother Jeff and my sister-in-law Narin) went on a 350 mile exodus that took me back to people and places I have not seen in years. 

The first stop was at the Westin in Rancho Mirage where my long-time friend Laurie was celebrating her 50th birthday with her typical level of aplomb.  We only went for a short period of time, but I have no doubt the party went all night.  The temperature in Rancho Mirage yesterday was 113 degrees.  Let me say that I recognized immediately upon getting out of the air-conditioned car that I had better change my ways because I would never survive in Hell.  I literally felt like I would melt…I cannot fathom how people live out in these places.  Within fifteen minutes I had my hair pinned up and was beet red.

Laurie was up to her typical hijinks – I have tons of pics, but will only put a handful in here as many may shock the casual reader.  To give you a taste of how wild and crazy my friend Laurie is – the party favors she gave out were pasties.  I choose the cherries and Narin chose the butterflies (note, we took ours home as party favors –  not sure what happened as the party carried on – and not spectulating here).  Laurie is the wild woman in the bikini with the pink-dipped hair.  She is charging into the new forty with a "take no prisoners" mentality.

  

From Laurie’s party we headed to Apple Valley to have dinner with one my favorite people in the world – Rose Marie.  I have known Rosie for almost 20 years now, but have not had an opportunity to see her for almost ten years.  Amazingly, she has not changed a bit – she remains a beacon of joy and light at the tender age of 83.  Her diminutive size is deceiving as she really is a larger than life personality – most folks have no idea of the power she can deliver.  We had a lovely time catching up and chatting about all the absurdities in the world.  Even though it has been years since I saw her last, it felt like it was yesterday – we just picked up where we left off.  I love having friends like that…they truly are one of life’s greatest gifts.

From our dinner with Rosie we headed over to see my ex-husband Larry and his wife Linda in their home in Apple Valley.  A bit of an aside here – folks who know me well know that I have often said that in regard to relationships the one regret I have is being too quick to end my marriage to Larry.  However, that regret stands solely as it relates to me and the effort I believe I could have put in, but did not.  I do not ultimately regret divorcing Larry as it opened the door for Linda to come into his life and the two of them are a much better pairing than Larry and I ever were.  It is an interesting paradox to have regrets but still be thankful for the outcome.  I am happy that Larry is happy and I realize that both of our paths would have been dramatically different had we stayed together…things are as they should be.

Larry and Linda live in an absolutely beautiful home with a tremendous view.  They love their home and their life there in Apple Valley and that makes me happy. Me and my absymal photo skills attempted to capture a view of the lights from Larry and Linda’s backyard – the photos are below…I didn’t capture the image I saw, but the photos are interesting nonetheless.

I know I promised yesterday to deliver details on the Sawdust Festival, the bee-sting, the shoe incident and the dinner with Bill, but I think those details will have to wait for another day.  You see, Orange County is a mecca for shopping and so many of the stores here are likewise like old friends…today I need to spend a bit of time becoming reacquainted with those old friends. 😉

Day three hundred and eighty-four of the new forty – obla di obla da

Ms. C