Tuesday morning, Becky was encouraged by friends to go play pickleball. She had not played the sport for almost two years! Yes, she was rusty. Yes, she made mistakes. But it was fun to be back on the courts. Becky actually posed for this photo.
Gloria Gordon, a former Los Angeles Organization of Women Executives member, now lives in Santa Fe. She emailed Becky. One of her former Santa Fe friends moved back to the Palm Springs area nine months ago. Her name was Minna Maryanov. Her husband, Lloyd, was a former mayor of Palm Springs. He passed away some years ago. It turned out that Minna lives in Sun City --- about two miles from where Becky was staying! Minna invited Becky over for lunch at one of the club houses. After lunch, the two of them visited the nearby Coachella Valley National Wildlife Preserve.
Becky had been told about this amazing oasis of old palm trees and natural springs, but this was her first time visiting the preserve. It is only 15 minutes or so up Washington Street, towards the community of Thousand Palms. Very interesting!
Becky played Day #2 of pickleball on Wednesday, but the activity was cut short as it started to rain. The rain was not expected until Thursday. Becky ran a few errands in Palm Desert that afternoon. She stopped at Walmart and bought two large bath towels. Rain, a trailer, and three Dalmatians meant wet fur! She knew the large towels would help dampen the wet fur issue.
Yes, it rained all day Thursday. The dogs must always get their walks. Becky had her umbrella. The dogs had two large towels after each walk. Here is the trailer and the wet street!
Friday was a better day. The streets were still very wet, but there was no rain. Becky was expecting her mail from Texas. The Livingston, Texas, Escapees Park mailed the priority package almost a week ago. Going on line, the package seemed to be stuck in the system. Fortunately, it finally arrived at the Palm Desert Post Office General Delivery on Portola Avenue.
Christmas Eve was on a Saturday. Becky dropped the dogs off at Grand Paw Pet Resort for two nights. She then went back to the trailer to finalize packing for Los Angeles. The traffic was light driving from Palm Desert to downtown Los Angeles.
The Jonathan Town Club is always decorated so beautifully for Christmas. The large tree in the lobby was special.
Becky settled in her eleventh floor room and took advantage of the club's Wi-Fi --- updating programs and refreshing her anti-virus software.
Then, it was time to drive out to San Marino. Becky had been invited to celebrate Christmas Eve at the childhood home of her high school friend, Sara Edwards. Sara's mom, Jeane Edwards, is 91 years old. Jeane Edwards loves the Christmas season and the home shows it! Two other high school friends were in attendance, Lucy Daggett and Faye Hooker Keller.
Lucy dropped by for pre-dinner cocktails with her significant other, Joe Friedman. Faye and her daughter, Heidi, attended dinner and were staying at the Langham Hotel Pasadena. Faye, Becky, Heidi, Sara, and Sara's significant other, Christopher Stoy, were set-up for dinner at the "children's table" in the reading room.
Christmas morning was beautiful. The snow level of the San Gabriel mountains was low. Becky drove out to San Gabriel to have breakfast and open presents at her brother's home.
Peter and Terry's three children were there. Molly lives in Philadelphia, Jack is completing his final year at University of Washington in Seattle, and Michael lives in Los Angeles. Terry's mother, Dudley Doan, also attended. Presents, presents, and more presents were opened and enjoyed.
There were two presents --- two sets of a "bean bag" game called corn hole. So, after presents, all played a little corn hole.
Becky left around 1:45pm to go over and see Laurie Lloyd Sams. Laurie and the Lloyd family lived on the same San Marino street where Becky grew up --- Afton Road. Laurie's mother, Darlene, moved into Laurie's former Pasadena home and Laurie bought the home next door. They have a small compound on So. Oak Knoll Avenue!
Becky and Richard used to host Christmas for the Shelton family. But, since they left Los Angeles in 2003, Becky's sister, Wendy Kuwata, took over the task. Becky arrived at the Kuwata home around 3:30pm. Awaiting her at the Kuwata home was a wonderful Edible Arrangement sent by Donna, David, Meghan, and Emily. Merry Christmas from the Park City Bernsteins!
It was perfect timing. Wendy had not requested that anyone bring fruit --- so voila!
Dinner was a great buffet. Katelyn made a chicken pot pie casserole, Carrie made Jo's Potatoes, Terry tossed a wonderful green salad, and Honey Baked Ham did its number. Becky's dad's former caregiver --- Romeo --- texted all of the Shelton children. So, we made sure that he got a photo of the six siblings.
Dinner was over and presents were opened by 7:15pm. So, Becky headed back to the Jonathan Town Club. She remembered that Sara's brother was hosting some of his family at the club's Christmas buffet. So, Becky found them and wished them another Merry Christmas. Their main entre was just being served.
Early the next morning, Becky walked over to the Starbucks at Union Bank Square. She picked up a nonfat hot mocha.
As most businesses were closed on Monday, December 26, the drive back to the desert was easy. Ramsey, Kelsey, and Libby were picked up by 9:30am and Becky went to a local laundry mat to wash some clothes and dog bedding. The new trailer did not have the washer/dryer setup that was in Becky's former RV. Not a problem.
Tuesday was a much needed pedicure at TLC Nails. Later that day, Wendy and her friend, Missy Robbins, had two-night reservations at La Quinta Resort. Becky heading to the resort for some snacks and wine. Wendy's daughter, Katelyn, and Missy's daughter, Kylie, were also part of the group. Fun!
Kerry, Wendy's other daughter, decided not to join the two-day visit. So, Becky took her 80 massage appointment on Wednesday at the Ritz Carlton. Missy has not been impressed with the spa at the La Quinta Resort. Nothing better than massages!
That evening, Becky had dinner with her former boss, Chuck Conway. Chuck has lived in Palm Springs for 13 years. Chuck suggested Kaiser Grille in Palm Desert. The food was excellent and it was a nice visit.
The "check engine" light on the truck lit up several days ago. Becky took the truck to Jiffy Lube to find out the code of the issue. It seemed to be glow plugs. Diesel cars and trucks have glow plugs to help the engine start in cold weather. The Jiffy Lube manager suggested that Becky take the truck to the Shell Station next door. She met with the service manager, Steve. It was recommended to bring the truck in on Thursday.
Becky was at the Shell Station by 9:00am. She walked back to the Thousand Trails park. It was 2.2 miles. Steve called at around 3:00pm. The truck was ready to be picked up. Friend, Linda Brockie, took Becky to pick-up her truck. Nice!
The next morning, Becky took the dogs for a walk in the RV park. She received many comments when she walked two Dalmatians in this park over the years. But, now with three Dalmatians, she is a scene.
Unfortunately, after driving the truck for some errands, the "check engine" light beamed on again. Arghhh! She called Steve at the Shell Station. It was the Friday before New Year's Eve. He said it might be the part that is the brain of the glow plugs. Steve said he would order the part and I can come in on Monday, January 2, to have it installed. He said he would not charge me for the labor. And, if that did not fix things, he would take it out and send me on my way.
Becky reminded Steve that she is leaving the desert on Tuesday, January 3.
Barbara Coad is coming down to the desert on Saturday and is spending the night with Becky and the dogs for New Year's. Barbara is not a big dog fan, so Becky washed the bedroom sheets for Barbara. Several weeks ago, Becky had installed an 18 inch dog fence between the bedroom and the bathroom. The dogs are not aware that they could probably step over it.
Becky had a dress rehearsal Friday night --- setting up the dinette area as a queen bed and adding a sleeping bag. The sleeping arrangements were perfect!
Barbara arrived to the desert around 11:00am. Becky suggested that they walk the dogs, put them in the trailer, and drive down to the La Quinta Resort. Becky wanted to leave some of Richard's ashes at the resort. In February 2015, Becky and Richard had visited the adjacent Santa Rosa Cove condo that Becky's parents owned in the 1990s and early 2000s.
New Year's Eve, Becky had made 7:00pm dinner reservations at Le Donne Cucina Italiana in Palm Desert. She had not been there, but it had very positive comments on Trip Advisor. When Becky and Barbara arrived, they were delighted. It was a place where many of the locals frequented. The staff was very friendly and professional and the customers were happy. Perfect place to dine before the new year!
The New Year's day was entered in with bagels, smoked salmon cream cheese, and mimosas. It was topped off by seeing the movie La La Land at the Century Theater in La Quinta. A fun and entertaining musical with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. At around 4:00pm, Barbara headed back to Los Angeles.
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