Back to the Future

This morning, like every morning, I went to check my Yahoo horoscope. I read it every morning, on my way to my email-- just a couple of lines that I never really take it too seriously. It's just a fun way to start the day. This is what I found today...

I was not sure what was happening. I tried a couple of things and it always came back to December 31, 1969. I thought maybe I was in the Twilight Zone and I woke up in 1969! Was this a sign? What happened on that day? Heck, I was only six years old. I wasn't checking my horoscope then, and certainly wasn't reading it online...on my laptop...with my BlackBerry in my hand. Nope, back then things were totally different!! I wasn't thinking about declining property values or the plummeting stock market, that's for sure. I wasn't focused on my mortgage payments or my daughter living in Africa or my son looking for a job at the worst time in history. And I certainly wasn't worried about crows feet and celulite and grey hair!
Man, life was totally easier then!!!

OK, I just checked back and everything is back to normal...it is November 30, 2008 and Yahoo astrology is back in working order.
Interesting thing is...my horoscope said to laugh more and worry less today. And to try not take life so seriously.
In other words, pretend I'm six years old.

Sister Act Too!

Today was our family reunion!
Four out of five DiLallo sisters were in attendance!

My sweet Sunny...

Elijah rode the skateboard for hours!

My mother and her sisters, Mary and Kathy

Gina and our Dad

Leesa

Tony and Sarah

With both my nieces, Sunny and Thea and
two out of four of my nephews, Sidney and Elijah!

Jonathon and Leesa

Yeah, sure...there were a lot of other people there too...
but none quite as good looking as these!

Sister Act

Tonight was a very special night. My sister, Sarah and I went out to dinner! I know, it doesn't sound that astounding, right? But here's the deal--Sarah and I could not remember EVER having had dinner alone together before. EVER! Perhaps it's because there are three other DiLallo sisters BETWEEN Sarah and me or of course there's the fact that Sarah now lives in Hawaii. We had a lot of catching up to do. And we did.
One thing that seems to have vanished is the difference in our ages--and we are nearly 13 years apart. Tonight we talked about money and homes and raising children and figuring out what we want for our futures. Sarah is so close in age to Allison, I think I have always related to her that way! Until tonight.
As we drank our martinis and talked about life over calamari and goat cheese and amazing ravioli--something seemed to click. While finishing off the evening with a delicious hot fudge sundae...we realized what it was. We felt like sisters. For the very first time.

A Recipe for Gratitude

When I left my house about 7:30 this morning, it was POURING rain...I honestly did not see one other car on the road for at least a mile! I headed straight to Starbucks (LOVE to greet the other GREAT people in the world who have to work holidays) and treated myself to a Pumpkin Spice Latte!
We (the banquets team) had spent most of yesterday setting up the ballroom for today, so the morning was a breeze, just a few last minute things and we were ready to serve Thanksgiving Dinner to 400 people. (First we took a few pictures, of course...the guys on the set up crew -above- are my favorite people!)

OK, I just had to put this picture in here. I once made the mistake of telling Pablo that I had never had a man pick me up. Yeah, he pretty much does it every day now.

Our ballroom looked spectacular and we went non-stop all day long!

As we came back and forth from seating people, we played a little game with each other: "What are you thankful for?" Oh, the answers were great, "My spouse, my kids, my dog--chocolate, tacos, hot baths, shopping..." Me? Well, like most of the others I said, "Friends and family and good health." I was the only one who mentioned being thankful for the Dodgers having gone to the NLCS (STILL grateful for that!) But let me tell you the one thing we ALL agreed on: we are ALL so thankful for our incredible job. And, of course, for the amazing people we work with. It's joy every day (even every holiday!) to be part of this team.

Seriously, as exhausted as I am tonight...
I could not be more grateful.

Oh SO much to be grateful for today...and everyday!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Grateful Fed

Thanksgiving came a little bit early this year...
and what a JOY to spend it with my friend Laura and her beautiful family! She made a spectacular meal! Turkey and sweet potatoes and beet salad and fruit salad and Caesar salad and Hawaiian bread rolls...incredible!!!

Laura's sweet daughter, PaigeAnd her husband, Joshelin

Oh yeah...here are ALL of Laura's children...Koben, Paige, Brittany and Jackie!

Oh dear God was this delicious...It is a Peruvian version of Flan!

Brittany loves this picture...and the pumpkin pie!Laura and I both GET to work tomorrow! Yeah!
And we enjoyed just a little bit of extra pie tonight because of that!
SO grateful for good friends!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Smiling today...

Angie Baby...you're a special lady!

Tonight we celebrated Aunt Angie's 85th birthday! Yes, this beautiful woman is FORTY YEARS older than me! She travels, does yoga, dances and drives a sporty new car! Talk about an inspiration...
I want to be just like her when I grow up!

At El Torito Grill (so delicious!)
with my mom and dad and cousin, Lynn.
I LOVE these people!

Afternoon Delight

After work yesterday, I walked down to the beach to catch this...

Have I ever mentioned how much I love where I work?

Claus for Alarm

This is a shot of me playing Mrs. Claus at our Associate's "Breakfast with Santa" last year. The costume I had on was a slightly-worn--and might I add somewhat out-dated--imitation velvet dress with faux fur, ric rac and pom-poms. Yeah. It was fine, but I vowed that if they ever asked me to be Mrs. Claus again, I would find a much cuter outfit to wear. They asked me. I started looking right away.

Seriously, there are literally hundreds of Mrs. Claus styles out there to choose from! Yet there's not much in between the "Mrs. Frumpy Claus" outfit I'm wearing above and--"Mrs. Claus does Dallas!" As you can see from the lovely accompanying photos, there IS quite a selection of the latter...There's "Sexy Plus Size Mrs. Claus" as well as "Ana(rexia) Claus" and just about everything in between!
























I think that last one is "Pole Dancing Mrs. Claus." Talk about HO HO HO
And, for the love of God...what is with the EYEBROWS on the other one??--Is that Santa in drag?!

Ta-dah!! This is the outfit I bought today! I love the boots, the little gloves and the cape too! It's cute, conservative, yet kinda kicky...I just think it's much more "Mrs. Claus of the OC--Ms. Claus 2008" (aka "Santa's NEW wife") PS I'm not wearing the glasses this year either. Santa sprung for for lasik...
Honestly, I am really excited now!

Can't do that to me no you can't do that can't do that...

Yes, it's true! Dr. Mario is making a house call...
After finding the ORIGINAL Nintendo Entertainment System in my parents' storage, I was determined to find my FAVORITE game of all time ASAP!
My kids had Dr. Mario for Nintendo 64 when they were in their mid-teens. I remember this because I became addicted to correctly stacking up those falling pills on the nights I was waiting for them to get home! (I never went to bed til both of them were in the house!) As they got home, they would join me...I quickly became the Hibbard household champ, conquering 'level 17' on several occasions.
Though many tried to beat me, it was only Allison who gave me a run for my money...and I think it was Todd Cooper or Chris Glinski who eventually took my pill-stacking crown. They were incredible masters of this awesome game!
I can't wait to play again, but may need to practice before I am ready to compete again.
I'll let you know when the Doctor is in.

PS The title of this post is the song that I sang when we played...it went with the music of the game. Eventually, we all sang it...
Yeah, I guess you had to be there...

Home Alone

I woke up this morning and--since I'm off today--just laid in bed for a while. And thought about being alone. About waking up alone and going to bed alone...day after day after day. Thankfully, this is my only day off this week. I do much better having to get up and out--and I LOVE being at work.
I laid there a little longer and thought kind of sadly, "I'm living alone." And suddenly, I turned into Kevin Mc Allister and I said happily, with a great big smile, "I'm living alone!"
I thought, "I can lay here all day if I want to, and NO ONE will say, 'Aren't you getting up today?' No one NEEDS me to get up! I don't have to do anything today if I don't want to!" I stayed there, snuggled in my big down comforter for another hour or so, drinking in the silence. It was delicious!
I finally got up, put on my sweats and my big wool socks (because I live alone and no one cares) and went out to make coffee. I was starving, but after perusing the breakfast selections in my fridge, decided to have a Lean Cuisine Pizza instead. Why? BECAUSE I CAN!
As I sat down to eat it I said out loud, "A lovely cheese pizza, just for me!" I thought of YOU, Allison!
Like Kevin says, after realizing how nice it actually is, "I'm living alone! I'm not afraid anymore!"
Of course I have a load in the washer, one in the dryer and the dishwasher is running. "Will & Grace" (and Jack & Karen) are providing a hilarious soundtrack to this lazy, yet somewhat productive Sunday morning. God knows I can only do nothing for so long. But I am sitting down, feet up, laptop in place, smiling and appreciating the fact (maybe for the first time??) that I don't have to do anything.
Hmm...
I think I'll have a bowl of ice cream--with Hershey's syrup! I know, it's only 10am, but why not?
You hear that? I'm eating junk and watching rubbish!!
When I grow up and get married...I'm living alone.
I'm not afraid anymore.

Baseball Cards

The 'out of the park' Christmas cards I found at TJ Maxx today!!!

These are the good ol' days...

New York City 1989

Fuddruckers...earlier this year

Wanna have a catch

At lunch yesterday, I explained to a friend that, after nearly three years of dating (sounds like a lot more dating than it's actually been, I assure you) I almost have it figured out. There are three significant loves in my life...and if they are significant to my date as well, then perhaps there is a chance that we may become significant to each other! There are three simple questions, and in the answers to the questions lie the possibility...well, lie many possibilities.

#1. Do you like baseball? The usual answers:

A. "No, it's boring, dull, I like football, ping pong, etc."
B. "It's ok, I don't really follow it, but I don't mind going to a game."
C. "Are you kidding? I love it!! "
I will spare you the story of the man who told me he visited his daughter in Boston and that she took him to Wrigley Field. Yeah. I told him it was a shame she didn't take him to Fenway, being in Boston and all...Painful. And bu-bye.
I need to have someone who is stoked to hear that I met Greg Maddux and Ned Colletti. And someone who can tell you where he was when Gibson hit the homerun. Yeah.
It is my love language and it turns me on more than just about anything else…
Music is a close second, so the next question is...

#2.What was the first concert you ever went to? Usual answers:

A. "I don't remember." (Ugh!)

B. "I think it might have been Garth Brooks." (I know this is cruel, but if there is even a possibility that you might have attended a Garth Brooks concert...yeah...sorry.)

C. If he says,(without pause) “The Police-February 1982--at the Forum"

Of course, that’s the answer. You like music, you like concerts, you value memories, and you'll appreciate the fact that I have seen the Police about a dozen times...and, well, it means you probably like Sting too. (Note: it does not have to be the Police or Sting...but it's AWESOME if it is!) Also, I have been to six or eight concerts this year. LOVE that...hopefully he does too.

#3. Have you been to Europe?

I am no snob, and I did not see Europe myself until I was 40, but I dreamed of it my whole life. I have been three times now and I can't wait to go again. Usual answers:

A. "Nope…never had the desire." (Seriously, a guy said those exact words to me.)

B. "Never been, but I' d love to go!!" (Good followup is, "I have been to Australia, China, etc...)

C. "I LOVE Europe, I ate my way through Italy!" (Yep, that's the answer...especially if he loves Italy...and eating.)

Easy questions. And, GREAT conversation starters regardless of the answers! I have to admit, sometimes he'll answer them all brilliantly, yet he just won't ask me out again. (Yeah, it took me a while, but I'm even getting the hang of THAT now.) One thing for sure, I am never again dragging a man to a baseball game, to a concert or across Europe. But I'm sure as heck not waiting for a man to do any of them either!

Of course the best answer of all is:

"Wow, this is amazing Julie Hibbard...I traveled Europe extensively for years on a traveling baseball league! Boy did we listen to some great music on those bus rides!"

That’s all I’m asking for…

Teach your children well...

Through the amazingness of Facebook, I reconnected with my long-lost friend, Mrs. Sargent. Yep, she was both of my kids' teacher for 5th and 6th grade, so that's how I have always known her! (She actually insisted that I call her Marcia now--it just feels so wrong!)
We had lunch out on the patio of Sapphire Restaurant, which has a stunning view of the ocean in Laguna Beach, and we talked til almost sunset! (Oh yeah--it was a spectacular 78 degrees in Laguna Beach today!) Mrs. Sargent...I mean Marcia...is a writer now! And, she is encouraging me to become one too.
(Hmmm...what would I write about??)

After my extended lunch, I met my family for dinner...
guess who's in town?!
Little Elijah is SO adorable!! (My dad is too, huh?)So fun to spend time with Sunny and Thatcher

And my baby sister Sarah. I was almost 13 when Sarah was born and she was just 6 when Allison came along. I remember I made Sarah a shirt that said, "I'm the little aunt."

Sweet Logan

Seriously, Elijah never stopped smiling...
unless we were trying to get a picture.
Sarah, Tony and the kids will be here through Thanksgiving weekend.
We're grateful!

...and a half.

Today is my 1/2 birthday. I have always celebrated the day by remembering where I was 6 months ago (having sushi with Allison, Gina, the boys, Dillon, Francisco and my parents) and then imagining where I will be 6 months from today--May 19, 2009.

Just so you know, the Dodgers play the Mets at home that night--I sure wouldn't mind being there.

And, can someone please make this cake for me?
Thanks!

There's still only one alternative to getting older ya know...

Peace and Quiet...it makes cents

Like everyone else in the world right now, I am trying very hard to save money. Well, better put, I am trying like hell to not spend it. It's actually become an interesting game--literally a "how many more ways can I come up with to NOT spend money?" game.
And I'm getting better at it every day...Here's what I've come up with so far:
First off, I canceled my cable. Let's face it folks, baseball season is over. There is nothing left on TV that I watch. Gray's Anatomy you say? I am buying each episode on iTunes. WAY cheaper than the cable bill...I was ending up with a 20 year old Cosby re-run or a 50 year old Leave it to Beaver episode playing in the background while I worked on things in my home. Why? Kinda silly. And it's so much quieter now. (I miss you Vin Scully!)
Secondly, I canceled my home phone. Please! I never used that phone or the phone number! I was forgetting to pick up the messages AND the phone rang incessantly with sales calls. No need to spend that money for sure. Anyone who wants to get a hold of me calls my cell. (Better yet--TEXT ME!) I just upgraded to $99/month unlimited everything. And, I leave it on vibrate. No phones ringing at all.
Thirdly, I am cutting WAY back on eating out. I am limiting it to one time a week--period! I have been having friends to my HOME for dinner. A 99cent bag of pasta, a $2 jar of sauce, a loaf of bread and a $6 bottle of wine--VOILA! dinner for two (or four!) for less than 10 bucks. Try that at a restaurant! I usually ask my guests to bring a dessert...which they are always happy to do! PLUS--it's so much calmer in my home--no one singing, "Happy Birthday from the cheesecake", no kids crying--and we can sit as long as we want after dinner and just talk. And drink.
I also canceled my LA Times. I was only getting Sunday's paper anyway and, really, just for the Sports Page and the Target ad. No more interesting sports in there for me (I get on the Dodgers and ESPN websites daily anyway) and, well, I am trying to stay FAR away from Target! Right?
In the last month, I have been able to pay off my Discover and have cut up the card. The American Express balance will be erased by year end and I will only have my (ridiculously high and impossible to re-finance) mortgage payment left. I can handle that.
Cause I really like it here. Friends and family will fill the place throughout the next few weeks.
And tonight, I am drinking in the quiet and the calm.
I do believe that having no debt is a natural sleep aid.
Sleep well.

Pretty Phunny...

...I'm happy again...

You know that feeling...when you're sick for a few days...and then you wake up one morning and you think, "Oh, I feel better today!"

?

It truly works the same for life...

I feel better today. 

I really do. 

Silly me...

"When someone shows you who they are...believe them...

the first time." Maya Angelou

Just think how much time--and heartache--could be saved.

The Big Unit

Read THIS

It would make me the happiest girl in the whole USA!

STILL the best medicine!

Last night I went to a fabulous dinner party with some friends in Laguna Beach. The host has his own catering company and the food was absolutely spectacular, to say the least!! Lamb chops with raspberry chipotle sauce, brie and bleu cheese and pate and cheese rolls and macaroon meringue cookies and Bailey's caramel chocolate cake...honestly, along with a few glasses of wine--and AMAZING company--it was one of the best experiences in recent memory!
After dinner we all went over to the Festival of Arts grounds for the annual "Lagunatics" production...HILARIOUS! Songs and skits performed about the happenings of Laguna Beach and its culture and people. Songs like "Blue Tooth" sung to the tune of "Blue Moon" poking fun at all of us with our phones in our ears these days. And, "Diarrhea" sung--and danced--to the "Mama Mia" tune--reporting on the too-frequent sewage spills in our town. (Yes, our town...I consider myself a Laguna local for sure. I went to elementary school for 8 years in Laguna and I frequent it's shops and restaurants and beaches and Pageants as I have my whole life. Oh yeah...and now I work in Laguna!) My face still hurts from laughing so hard!
After my 'less-than-happy' last couple of weeks, this night of delicious food, tremendous laughter and incredible friendship...was just what the doctor ordered.
PS I woke up at 9am today...which is literally the latest I have slept since 1981. Yeah!

Little cabin in the woods

Booked for December:
three days in Lake Arrowhead...
Pray for snow!

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day...

God's gift to those of us who wake before dawn...

My sweet friend Lisa came for over for dinner tonight!
She's my new favorite person because she ASKED to look through all my Europe pictures!
We had such an enjoyable evening...full of good food, great travel stories and...

...Lisa brought a Harvest Pie! She had never experienced it before--
in fact she'd only read about it on my blog-- oh, she's a believer now!
Yep...it was a good day...

There's no place like home...

"Your home is a reflection of your life..."
I love my home.

Aloha!

Guess who's coming for Thanksgiving??

Just watched...

The true story of Sudanese refugees who, after raising themselves in the desert with thousands of others, find their way to America. Capturing their wonder at all things new-including electricity, supermarkets and running water--the film shows the men as they experience new things and explain to us how different things are in Sudan. One of them holds up a Pepsi bottle and says, "This is Pepsi. In Africa, we call it Coca Cola." (Allison, you HAVE to see this!)
An incredible reminder of my experiences with the people of Kenya and of all the things we take for granted.

I'm human...

I have been singing The Killers, "Are we human, or are we dancer" for a week solid now. I pretty much have it on repeat on my iPod and listen to it over and over.
Today, I read the lyrics, and realized why I like it so much--I've been asking myself this same question all my life. As much as I love to dance--the answer is clear:
I am human. I am not dancer.
It's actually been the perfect soundtrack for the last few weeks. I've kinda been feeling like I don't belong--anywhere. I am not 'dancer' in any area of life--I don't follow the same beat or think the same thoughts or make the same moves as anyone else I know. I don't seem to fit in anywhere right now. I FEEL too deeply or THINK over things too much or am just unable to let go. Or something like that. The thing is, I can't keep dancing when I can no longer hear the music. I have to stop. I have to question. Right now, I'm human and I'm hurting and I can't fake it anymore. The world tells me to 'get over it', 'move on'...'keep dancing with the rest of us!' I just can't. I no longer know the dance. And I'm too tired to keep up. I'm so freaking human.
We batted the lyrics around a bit at lunch today...Human or Dancer?
I think it is asking--are we thinking, feeling, hurting, searching human beings OR are we following the 'steps' and 'waltzing' through life and following the beat, often PRETENDING we hear the music? Are we feelers or followers??
First off, one of the guys at the table thought it was, "Are we human or are we denser?" (At least he was thinking differently) And someone else saw the words completely opposite than the way I did. He said, "I think it asks are we just human, heart beating, vital signs going day by day OR are we dancing through life...enjoying it along the way?" I like that thought. And it rhymes.
No matter what, I love this song.

give my regards to soul and romance
they always did the best they could
and so long to devotion, you taught me everything I know
wave good bye, wish me well

you gotta let me go
are we human or are we dancer
my sign is vital, my hands are cold
and I’m on my knees looking for the answer
are we human or are we dancer

I'm sticking with my interpretation.
I've been on my knees looking for the answer for so long now that I couldn't be 'dancer' if I wanted to. And I don't want to.
I'm unique. I don't always fit in. But that's a good thing too.
I'm in repair! I'm not together, but I'm getting there!
I'm slowly figuring it all out. And it's ok...I know I can stop dancing now.
I swear God speaks to me the only way I really ever listen--through my iPod.
I'm human, what can I say?

For YOU Doc

We miss you Travis!
As you can tell, it's not nearly as much fun
in the bell closet without you.

Soledad at Seventy

This is my SWEET friend Soledad and today we celebrated her
70th birthday!

Soledad works in housekeeping at the resort and is one of the hardest working woman I have ever known...she also brightens everyone's world with her constant smile and genuine kindness. Soledad is TRULY an inspiration to me every single day!
(She also makes me feel very tall.)
Don't you hope you look just like her when YOU are 70? I sure do!!

Frankie says...

I am really good at a lot of things. I can organize and clean and sort and assemble anything and everything. I can plan a party, execute it with purpose and passion and have the house back to perfection by morning. I have a phenomenal memory. I can run all my errands on any given day without ever backtracking...and, after all that, I can have lunch with a friend, coffee with another and dinner with a third...Heck, I have been doing this all of my life.

There is only one thing that I have never been able to do: RELAX. Actually, it's not that I have not been able to...I guess it's more like I've never allowed myself to. No...it's more like I've never even wanted to. Ever.
The truth is--in my old life--I truly did not have an opportunity to relax. I was married at 18 and had two kids by 21. I always worked, went to school and ran the tightest ship you can imagine. Clean house, smart kids, and of course--always the best employee. I never stopped. I remember when I filled out the application to work at Montage, it asked: "What are your hobbies?" I left it blank. I couldn't think of anything. I didn't have one. I never had time.
But here's the deal--I have lived alone for nearly four years now. My house is beyond clean. I have to FIND things to wash or organize and I can only plan so many parties. My kids are great, grown and gone. I have more time and energy than a human being should be allowed. Yet, to be very frank(ie), I STILL don't have a hobby and still don't have the slightest idea how to relax!
But, at the advice of every friend I have--as well as professional help--apparently, I need to learn how.
Today was day one. This morning I went to Burke Williams for a deep tissue massage (heavenly...) I went in the jacuzzi for a bit, then went in the sauna and sat in the quiet room for a while. I MADE myself stay...and I breathed deeply trying hard to let go of all my thoughts. I tried very hard to relax. It certainly does not come naturally to me. I was thinking, "OK, that's relaxing time, now off to get something done." As if 'relaxing' was something to check off my 'to do' list.
After the spa, I sat in a restaurant and read a magazine over lunch. Then I came home and took a nap. I woke up about 5pm...and, well...I honestly felt an incredible need to do something productive.
I got up, did two loads of laundry, cleaned out my closet, made dinner, watched a movie and went through a stack of bills. I got my November cards and gifts in order, made a cup of tea and added a few songs to my iPod. I talked to a friend on the phone and propped up my feet with my laptop in its place. I emailed and checked Facebook and now I'm blogging. And I feel much better.
Perhaps each of us has a different definition of 'relaxing'. Maybe we even have different levels of desire for such a thing? So far, I have to admit that I can only do it for so long. My need for productivity FAR outweighs my need to relax...or it did. Or, maybe I need to find the right combination of both? I like work. I like productivity. I like busy and crazy and hectic. I'm good at that!! I don't LIKE to relax and I admit I don't even know how...
but like I said, I am willing to learn.

I love that!!

A few things to smile about on this cold Sunday night...
Allison's friends have arrived in Kenya! Hooray!!

A boy in AFRICA wearing a Dodgers shirt!















Colonel Sanders' Christmas Album.












A note from Pete Rose.










Pepsi Light.
















Click Clacks.













Thinking about flying away somewhere.
















The BRILLIANT "Love Rocks" campaign.

And that laugh wrinkles your nose...

Someday, when I’m awfully low, and the world is cold…I will feel aglow just thinking of you…and the way you look tonight.
I am going through a little bit of a "funk" in life these days. It's basically an uncertainty of direction, confusion about my future and maybe just a bit of lost hope. (And, no doubt, the long cold nights without baseball.) But as I looked for a picture of my grandparents last night, I came across all of these HAPPY photos. Pictures of me--SMILING--with people I love!
I think that's what Frank's song is about...I AM feeling a little low and the world is a little cold right now---but I DO feel aglow just thinking of my GREAT friends and family…
and the way we look in these photos!

Nana and Grandpa

Last night after the Mater Dei football game, I came out of the parking lot in unfamiliar territory and was momentarily lost. I came up to Main Street and (though I am not sure why) I turned left. Suddenly I was in a wave of childhood memories as I passed by stores and restaurants of my Grandparent's Santa Ana neighborhood. There was the Ralph's...and the Savon's...and where Montgomery Ward used to be. And NORM'S! And the place that used to be the Snack Shop. And the Wooden Shoe Restaurant. I was right by the house that was their home for most of my life...
And, in perfect 'Julie Hibbard of late' fashion--I started to cry. I found the 5 freeway, and was on my way home, but tears streamed down my face as I realized what was happening...
I missed my grandparents. For the very first time.
My Nana died just about a month ago--amidst the Dodgers' clinching of the division. I was actually at a game when she died. We had a radio at her viewing and snuck outside to hear the score of the 2nd Dodgers/Cubs game. Her funeral was intentionally scheduled around the NLDS games that I had tickets for. Seriously.
All that to say...I don't think I fully processed the loss.
Last night it hit me hard. They are gone. No more stopping by for little chat, a few coupons and a capacole sandwich. No more Nana telling me that I would feel better if I would just rest or Grandpa telling me I must have been a beautiful baby...
I drove out of Santa Ana flooded with memories of that home. The pink bathroom, the Oceanana rug, and their backyard--where Gina broke her teeth playing Wonderama. And lots of cold milk in glass bottles with hot pop tarts on gas station paper towels. And tons of baby powder!
Last night I told my Grandparents--through tears--that I missed them. I apologized to Nana for being absorbed in baseball instead of being sad and grieving properly at her passing.
I swear I heard her tell me it was OK...and to go home, lock my doors and get some rest.
And Grandpa said, "Hey, I do the jokes..."

Homecoming 2008

Tonight I went to the Mater Dei Homecoming Game!
These are the Wilmot sisters..Kim, Kristen and Kelly...

(Don't you love the KLOS 1981 sweater?)

Kim, Christine and Kelly's kids all attend (or already graduated from) Mater Dei too!
Kelly's daughter Kendall was the senior class Homecoming Queen tonight!
(It shoulda been us Kelly!)

Living in a material world...

So I have spent the week in Beverly Hills. Currently in a hotel on Rodeo Drive...zip code 90210. Oh, and I'm having breakfast in bed (for the second day in a row...)
And last night...we went to see Madonna at Dodger Stadium...

Special Guest...Britney

Special Guest...JT

With Claudia and her friend, Tyler

Life may not always be good...but it ain't bad this week...

Oh...saw this on the way out...
THOSE were the days!!!

Note to BASEBALL fans...at the end of Madonna's concert the screen flashed: GAME OVER! And I SO hoped Eric Gagne was going to come out.

The good life...

We have stayed at three different hotels in Beverly Hills in three days. (And worked at a fourth!)
But I gotta tell ya...even with all the moving around...room service and the LA Times at the front door each day are really all I need to call this the good life!

We love LA!

We had a GREAT night last night with Zach and my son Zac too! We celebrated our new president with a(nother) glass of champagne!
Claudia and I were back in our hardhats and Cal Trans vests today for more work in Beverly Hills today. Seriously, it is LONG and tedious work! But we are having fun.
I came back to the hotel for a bath and Claudia is out shopping Rodeo drive. Apparently there is a roof-top bar here at our hotel and there is a party going on tonight. We're gonna try to crash it. Last day tomorrow!
We really do love LA

90210

Sing with me..."Working in LA...working in LA...Nobody works in LA!"
WE DO!

Claudia and I are working up at in Beverly Hills!
How official are we?!

With our "MLB" friends, Bruce and Zach

So...we decided we needed some champagne...

Let me just tell you...if I am in bed with my laptop and my Blackberry (and a glass of champagne) I am a very happy woman (oh, and notice the cheese plate too please!)

One more glass--then on our way out to dinner!

It's November 4th

High School Magical

Went to lunch with my high school girl friends today...
Kelly, Sonja and Katherine...
We have been friends for over 30 years!

We ran into another friend from high school while we were there! ANOTHER dear SARAH in my life!
I know sometimes it seems crazy to think that I have NEVER lived outside of a 10 mile radius, but it sure has been nice to be able to retain all of these relationships over all these years.
Tonight especially, I am SO grateful for my friends.

Going...going...gone*

* Or I don't care if I never get back...

*Or...You're outta here!!

Click on images to enlarge...you'll wanna read about these...

Phil my stocking...

but please don't buy this for me.
It makes me want to throw a ball at Shane Victorino's head.

Gas is down...

I purchased tickets to the two Dodgers NLDS games before we even knew who we'd be playing. But, since the Dodgers won the first two NLDS games in Chicago and then SWEPT the Cubs by winning that 3rd in LA (best night of my life), the second game at Dodger Stadium was 'not necessary.'
That was not quite a month ago. I've checked my American Express account the last couple of weeks to see if I had been refunded for those tickets...and tonight...I had quite a surprise.
On Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers credited my account $2,300.00

Hmm...do you think this is a mistake? (Needless to say, for the first time in my life I have a negative balance on my American Express card.)
I mean, do you think I should say something? The actual total of the tickets was about 250 bucks...
Or do you think, perhaps, they are refunding me for the NLDS game AND refunding me for my tickets to last two (horrifying) games of the NLCS? Maybe they're even throwing in a little bonus for the pain and suffering I have incurred since then....?
I know, I know...obviously I'll call on Monday morning and let them know of the error...
Come on! We want to be sure they have enough money to retain Manny, right?