FLOODS, WRAPPING, AND THE COMPANY OF GOOD FRIENDS

The rain never let up all night and today, when I head out in my little red car to buy a Christmas floral arrangement for my hosts, the roads are flooded everywhere. The announcer on the radio says that there are dozens of road closures around the valley. I am hoping none on the routes I usually take are affected because I don't know my way around enough to take an unmarked detour. On one corner, the flooding is so bad it is keeping a pedestrian from being able to cross the street in any direction. As I wait for the light to change I can see he is frustrated that he can't get where he is going as he assesses the situation over and over and can't come up with a solution.

The flowers are bought and in the house, and I set back out on the road to Ron's to pick up some wrapping paper. He wouldn't let me buy my own the past two days when we were out shopping as he has lots of it and wants me to use his. When I get there, he and Nelson have just arrived home from the gym. The plan is to go to Pinocchio's for lunch. As the boys shower and get ready I use Ron's iPad to check the Lifetime Movie Network to see if I can stream On Strike for Christmas now that I am in the states and I can. So I watch some of it until it's time to go. We head out to lunch and I have a burger and we all have 'bottomless champagne' with orange juice. Ron spends most of his time on the iPad trying to book a van for our trip into LA tomorrow as the rental agency has just called to say they won't have one for us as they're all booked up. He is successful and so we are good to go tomorrow. Once lunch is over we head to the dollar store so that I can get a gift bag and, of course, that's not all I buy. Everything in the store is one dollar and there are a few bargains. I pick up a car air freshener because when I got in to my car this morning, it smelled like a fish had died in it overnight. Not sure why but it was most unpleasant and I need it gone.

Once we are done shopping we head back to Ron's and I select a roll of wrapping paper from his stash and head back to my place. I need to get all the gifts wrapped but first I get on my laptop and continue watching On Strike and finally see my Knitting Consultant credit. So great! I then go about adding the credit to my IMDB page. The movie is really well done, I think, and has a hilarious scene with the guys trying to bake cookies.

The movie ends I finally get down to the business of wrapping gifts. It takes a couple of hours and when I am done I go into the family room to chat with Bob and Ada. After 15 minutes or so I can hear a phone ringing and it sounds like it's coming from my room. Bob gave me a spare cell phone they have for me to use while I am here so that I can take calls from Ron without using up all of my 15 minutes of roaming charges I paid for before I left home. I run to get it and just miss the call so I call him back and he asks "Is this where I can order a Bible? Is this the Gideons?" I laugh and then he says, "Hold for the Duchess of Milton." The duchess is a wonderful man by the name of Michael Rowe, a well known author from Toronto and someone I often verbally spar with on FaceBook over politics and religion. Michael gets on the phone. "I would like to order one religious fanatic to be delivered to the Oliver household as soon as possible." I laugh and tell him that they are both crazy. "But how long will it take for you to get here?" Ron had earlier told me that Michael and his partner would probably be tired and cranky from their long day traveling from Ontario and not be in the mood for company tonight. Apparently that's not the case and they want me to come over. So I pack up the gifts that I have just finished wrapping and head out.

It ends up being a wonderful evening of light banter that eventually turns into a lively discussion and debate about Christianity, false Christians, faith, miracles and a host of other related topics. It's a perfect evening and I am loving it. And, one great thing that comes of it is that, on Christmas Eve, we are all going to head over to a nearby church (that Liberace used to attend regularly) for their special Christmas service so that we can sing carols.

Church Liberace Attended













Ron Oliver. In church. I can hardly wait.

THE MOST GLAMOROUS NIGHT OF MY LIFE

I have a couple of dear old Aunties in England who, are not only the funniest women I have ever known (they really are like a comedy duo) but also, have some of the best stories to tell. They both served in the second world war as WAAF's (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force) and my Aunty Mary was assigned to spotting and tracking enemy bomber formations in one of the new radar stations. This was very dangerous work as the radar sites were usually the first target for Stuka dive-bombers. Among her many stories is a favourite of mine where she danced all night in an airplane hanger with the handsome new arrivals, the US Airforce, to the music of the Glenn Miller Band. As a kid I loved the movie of his life, The Glenn Miller Story, and so finding out my aunty actually danced to his live music was a thrill and I have often wished I could dance to such a band. Tonight I did.

The day started out rather slowly. I was all ready to go by 10:30 and sent a message to Ron on FaceBook to let him know. I didn't have my rental car yet as the plan was to go and pick it up today, so I settled in to write on my blog for a bit while I waited to hear back from him. It was noon before I did and 1:00 before he and Nelson arrived to pick me up. Apparently there was a bit of a disaster at Eight-oh-One (as Ron refers to his home) when Eric attempted to put some rose stems down the garburator and it clogged up the sink in the worst way. Two hours later and lots of water on the floor, it was fixed and that's when I got the text that they would be over to get me in an hour, after a quick trip to the gym. I gave them a bit of a hard time about that - I mean, couldn't they skip the gym just one day?!?

We headed straight over to the car rental place and my car was not in. We filled out all the requisite paperwork and left with the promise that there would be a car for me in under two hours. We headed over to Las Casuelas Terraza for lunch, the same restaurant that Ron took me to right after landing in Palm Springs last year. I had been looking forward to a return visit for quite some time. As it was still raining, there was no one sitting under the huge palapa roof but it was lovely and warm with the heaters turned on so we decided to sit outside. I just love the place because every inch of it makes me feel like I am on vacation. Ron ordered up margaritas right away and mine was a blended strawberry - YUM! As we snacked on the chips and salsa they brought to our table, a rather large flock of tiny birds gathered in a tree close by to watch us. They got braver and began to land on the ledge close to our table and longingly eyed our basket of chips so I took one and began tossing crumbled bits of it to them. They loved it and so I took more to the ledge and held some out in my hand. Only one bird was brave enough to take food right out of my hand, the rest flew back to the tree or kept a safe distance.































We had a great time over lunch with lots of laughs, as usual, with Ron. We were finshed eating and it had been well over two hours and we still hadn't heard from the car rental agency so Ron picked up his iPhone, with the comment that there had better be an upgrade coming, when it rang; the car was ready. We headed back over there and they had upgraded without having to say a word because they felt bad that we were kept waiting, which I thought was very nice of them. The car is a shiny red Chevrolet something-or-other and I really love driving it after driving my rattly old jeep for the past few months. I don't know about you but the sort of car I am driving really influences how I feel about myself and also my stress level. And when I say how I feel about myself, it's not an ego thing - more of a confidence thing. It's hard to put into words. But this rental car is wonderful and I am going to really enjoy toodling around in it for the next week.

The boys had some more shopping they needed to do at Target so we headed down the highway, me following them, and pulled into a small plaza with no Target. Ron had talked earlier about going to a place tonight that had a big band playing. I asked if it was a dressy affair and he said 'sort of' and so I was concerned I might not have something to wear as I didn't want to wear my Christmas day dress and it's the only dress I brought. As we got out of our cars, Ron said he brought me here to TJ Max to see if they had a dress I might like to buy for tonight. They went off to a pet store to buy treats for Crawford T. Manchester, and I headed into TJ's. I didn't find any dresses at all but tried on a couple of tops. Nothing suited me and just as I was done the boys arrived and we walked over to a store that Ron said I would just love, called World Market. Did I ever. It's what you would get if Pier One and Army and Navy had a child. They have the most fabulous stuff (no clothing or shoes though) and it's all reasonably priced. I ended up buying some gifts for my kids for next Christmas. It's never too early to shop for Christmas!

After loading up at World Market, we headed down the highway a little farther to Target. I love that place and miss it terribly. When I lived in Seattle for three years - many moons ago - it was my favourite place to shop. And at Christmas it's even better. Right at the entrance to the store they have boxed gifts that they only carry this time of year. They are the perfect stocking stuffers or gifts for someone you don't know all that well. This time there were flasks, shoe shining kits, nail kits, car trunk organizers, car emergency kits, an organizer pouch for small electronics (I bought one for myself as I always have multiple cords lying around and when I pack for a trip like this I just toss them into a pocket of my carry on), a giant computer mouse, a shower head that lights up (great for an outdoor shower), a cup warmer that plugs into the USB port of a computer, - all sorts of great things. I got the car trunk organizer for Ron's mom on his recommendation.

All done shopping, we headed to our respective homes to get ready for the evening. I had decided that a new top I bought just before the trip would be fine to wear. It has some sequins on it and is rather elegant, and paired with my dressy black pants, and a new crystal necklace and earrings, I should look quite presentable I think.

When we arrive at Dink's (Double Income No Kids), I am taken aback by how elegant the place is and how amazing the band sounds. It is the Ted Herman Orchestra and they are pure Big Band Swing! (Ron tells me that Ted Herman is the son of famed Woody Herman, the bandleader from the 30's). On the way over Ron was expressing his frustration that they would only be playing until 9:30. It is now 8:45 so we don't have a lot of time with them but I will take whatever I can get; this is fabulous! We are seated at a table along the edge of the room with a great view of the entire place including the dance floor, which is alarmingly bare of couples - only one is gliding across it's glossy surface. Ron orders Belvedere martinis for Nelson and himself and a Malibu and Coke for me. I express my long held wish that I knew how to dance and Ron says "It's easy. Come on, I will show you." And before I know it, we are on the dance floor and he is gliding me effortlessly around and around. I am grinning like a child and know it but can't stop. This is a dream come true, to be dancing to the sound of a live big band; and to be doing it in Palm Springs in such a glamorous place is far more than I would have ever asked for. No wonder I can't get the stupid grin off of my face. All too soon, the song ends and we settle back down at our table for some nibbles and more drinks.

Once the band packs up, Eric arrives and the decision is made to head over to Melvyn's. We went there last year and I fell in love with the place; it has an amazing history and I have since read the book about it so am even more excited to go back. When we pull up, a valet comes and opens my door and holds an umbrella over me until I am under the cover over the walkway leading to the door. I am so not used to being treated in this manner that I had worried, as we drove up the long tree lined drive from the main gate, how I was to get from the car to the door without my hair getting wet. Hairspray and water just don't go together one bit and the slightest of rain will ruin my 'do'. But I didn't have to worry at all and, once again, as I tip toe around a few puddles between the car and the path, I am feeling very spoiled and somewhat glamorous. The boys have told me several times tonight that I look very glamorous and now, sitting at the bar in this fabulously glamorous old establishment, Ron asserts that - should I spend a few weeks here and sit at this bar every evening looking the way I do tonight - I would be married to a rich old codger within a month. I'd love to test that notion!

(not really thrilled with the photo's of me. I see a chin lift in my future.)

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY!! FOR PETE'S SAKE!!

After a fun last week of work, where the story centered around a school fair with giant food, I was very thankful to go home to a weekend of getting ready for Palm Springs - FINALLY! It feels like I have waited for this trip for ever.

Saturday was all about getting the hair and nails looking worthy of the company I would be keeping in that sunny playground. I met a friend after for a drink at the swank new Fairmont Pacific Rim and then a marvelous dinner after at a cozy trendy spot called Burgoo Main Street. I had the French Onion Soup and it was divine; finished of with sharing their Toffee Pudding. Yum!!

Sunday was all about packing and buying trip insurance and a last minute Christmas present for someone at home. It was hard to know what to pack because the weather in Palm Springs is rain until Wednesday. So sad to hear that. And I always stress out about having overweight luggage and having to pay the ridiculous fees that incurs. It doesn't matter where I am going, sunny or cold, winter or summer, I can't seem to pack less than 50+lbs and I don't know why that is. It's frustrating and I have put it down to hair products. A can of hairspray and a can of mousse plus a jar of crude clay and then the blowdryer and two brushes... it all adds up. I don't ever pack clothes I don't need. I am careful to pack only one outfit per day, and sometimes not even that much. So I can't figure it out but it is what it is.

I couldn't sleep Sunday night. I went to bed at 10 because I was setting the alarm for 3:45 to be out of the door by 4:30. I tossed and turned until way after midnight and finally gave up and watched Survivor which I had downloaded earlier to watch on the plane. I lost battery power half way through the after show and so laid back down and dozed until the alarm went off.

On the drive to the border, snow flurries started and that freaked me out a bit because the highway down to Bellingham can get more wind and snow than the rest of the area and I didn't want it to be an issue. But I needn't have worried because it died off by the time I got to the border. The guard was a bit surly and wanted to know why I was going to Palm Springs at Christmas - didn't I like being home with my family at that time of year? How presumptuous of him to assume I even had any family - lots of people don't. I told him my kids were grown and scattered and I'd rather be in the sun than the cold. He handed my passport back and waved me through.

I finally understand why Ron Oliver complains about children on airplanes. The worst I have encountered in my travels is a kid kicking my seat, and don't mistake me - it drives me crazy when that happens - but it's easy to rectify. You just ask the parent to keep the kid from doing it and they usually do. But this time, there was a 19 month old girl with a temper sitting in the seat in front of me, and she had the sort of cry that is preceded by an ear-splitting scream. She cried almost the whole trip. I found myself too tired to read so gave up and tried to sleep and every time I would just nod off, she would start up. It was honestly so painful on the ear drums, I had to plug my ears. I won't ever fly without ear plugs again.

As we descended into PS airport, we flew through a huge bank of clouds and the turbulence was frightening. I don't mind turbulence as a rule, but this was the first time I had experienced it so close to the ground and so violent. I was truly afraid that we might bounce right off the tarmac. But we got through it right before landing. I could see that the rain had been heavy as there was a road blocked off by fire trucks and there was a washed out portion just beyond them. And all the roads were very wet. It's interesting to observe that they really aren't used to this much rain here as none of the houses have gutters and the sidewalks and pathways aren't angled for drainage so there's huge puddles and rivulets of water gathering everywhere.

Ron was busy with a conference call about post on his latest film so Eric picked me up at the airport and drove me to his parents house where Ron pulled up just as we arrived. Eric was worried Ron would berate him for being late for me when, in fact, the flight landed 20 minutes behind schedule due to strong winds on our nose. He ran over to Ron's car saying, "I wasn't late, I wasn't late!" So cute! I unpacked a few things and hung them to get rid of wrinkles and then Ron, Nelson and I piled into the car and drove out to Palm Desert to have lunch at Tommy Bahama's. We had lunch there last year and so I was excited to go there again. This time I had the fish tacos and they were delicious! We walked around a few of the shops there and I got the coolest gift for Shonah, my daughter. She is a Star Wars nut and a kitchen shop had a pancake flipper with Darth Vader's head as the flipper part. I got the last one. She'll love it. We stopped in at Trader Joe's for a few things and I was really looking forward to buying their Wasabi Almonds but it turns out they don't have them any more. I was so disappointed. We then headed to Ron's to hang out for a bit and Nelson had a nap, and then we went to meet Ada and Bob, my hosts, for BINGO at Alibi's. We munched on appetizers and played the cards and twice I came within one number of winning. It was a lot of fun and I basked in the deep pleasure of being back in Palm Springs with some of the best people I have ever known in my life. I feel very blessed.

Now if the rain would just stop and the sun would come out. I am seriously needing the warmth of some sunshine in my life.

Oh my goodness. A frog just started croaking somewhere outside my bedroom window. It really does need to stop raining!!

IT'S NOT EVEN DECEMBER YET...

...and I am finished Christmas shopping!

(this is my tree from 2006, when I had my own home and loved to deck the whole place out for Christmas - I really miss that house this time of year. The kids loved coming home to it.)

It's been a long time since I have been done this early. Back before I was married, I used to pride myself on being all done and all the gifts wrapped by mid November. But in recent years that hasn't been the case. And in the past two years, I was too poor to buy much, thanks to hardly any work in my field.

But all that has changed this year and I am very grateful for it. It's wonderful to be working steady again. And though I am trying to be very careful with my money, I have to say it's been fun to be able to go shopping for the perfect Christmas gifts for those I love.

Two things got me to an early start. In September I was working on a movie called On Strike for Christmas. The house we used was decked out for Christmas as well as a mall which production filled with decorations, happy Christmas shoppers and a tree stand out in the parking lot. Three weeks of being immersed in that really got me not only in the Christmas mood, but feeling like it wasn't long until Christmas got here for real. Then, on my lunch break while shooting that movie, I went to a shop near where we were filming and happened upon the perfect gift for my married daughter. I wasn't going to buy it right then until the shop owner informed me that they only had three in stock and once they were gone, they'd never be found again as the manufacturer was no longer making them because the price point to make a profit would have to be too high. So I bought it. That got the ball rolling.

It's a good thing though because we are celebrating Christmas two weeks early this year. My daughter in Kelowna used all of her holidays this summer coming down here for her friend's wedding events and for the week before the wedding to help the bride out as much as she could. So she can't come for Christmas as that is when everyone wants time off. So she's taken a couple of personal days and will come down the weekend of the 10th. My other daughter and her hubby are leaving on the 15th for England as he is to be best man for his best man, and then they will spend Christmas with his parents. So we are getting together to have our Christmas Day on December 12th.

And me.... I am going back to Palm Springs!!!!!! I can't wait. I had such a great time there last year that just had to go back and do it again. I wrote to Eric back in October and asked him if his parents would be willing to let me stay with them again. He wrote back that the 'red room' was booked for me as long as I wanted it. I was very thankful and happy to hear it as I loved staying with them last year. So I have my flight booked, my room reserved, and a Christmas dress bought. And this time the neckline won't cause a minor scandal.