Friday, November 25, 2022

First Things First




Honey(s) I’m home.

Roll Call — how’s everyone doing … did you enjoy feast day (Linda in Kansas already commented how she feels about it, LOL) … how much weight did you gain?

As you can see, first thing I did upon arriving back at the complex, even before I finished bringing up luggage from the car, was to deck the halls.

I made the right choice in travelling two days before Thanksgiving, because the drive was smooth sailing all the way.

Heading back early this morning, despite hearing the news say the day after Thanksgiving was a terrible day to be on the road, the freeway was clipping along, no hiccups.

I guess everyone was doing the Black Friday thing at the malls.

Time flew while in Long Beach.

I had planned to do a little sightseeing — walk over to the beach, stick my toes in the sand, take closeup photos of the Queen Mary, but never got around to any of it.

Instead, I spent time playing with the baby — now six months old and quite heavy (as you can see, I’m barely able to hang onto him, with one hand holding the baby Yoda stuffed buddy I brought him).


Difficult even to hold onto even with two hands.


When free time to stick my toes in the sand/see the Queen came about, the opportunity for a mani/pedi popped up, so I opted for that instead.

So, the whole time I was in Long Beach, the closest I got to the Queen was seeing her first thing in the morning, last thing at night through the window of the hotel room.



Word last year was that the Queen — closed due to deteriorating conditions, was to be sunk unless an estimated $700 million for repairs could be found. Now it seems $5 million in repairs are under way and she's purportedly slated for a "partial" reopening by end of the year.

I dunno — from $700 million down to $5 million sounds suspicious. Not to mention, this thing about a "partial" reopening.

Sounds like the plot of a horror movie to me — rushed repairs, cheap material to cut costs. Unsuspecting tourist on the repaired side, while the unrepaired side springs a leak. Terror on board as the ship begins to sink, taking the visitors, and the ships' ghosts, down to the briny deep.

Along with spending quality time with the great grandson, I also managed late night in the hotel room to finally at last after six months finish reading Randy Rainbow’s book.

Wasn’t a particularly good book, not a page turner; but not a bad read either. Interesting enough that I slowly worked myself through, finished it and got started on The Marble Faun of Grey Gardens.

No idea what the seniors were up to during my absence, but the fact the complex is still standing is a good sign it was the same ole same ole.

21 comments:

  1. $700 million to $5 million? Maybe there was a black Friday sale!

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  2. Your great grandson is adorable. Sounds like it was an enjoyable time.

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  3. That was a great view from the hotel. I would have spent every minute with that baby. That smile! (And yours, too.) I love your decorations. And that doormat and wreath are my new favorites.

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    1. He's one happy spoiled baby. Always smiling. Glad my decorations made your favorites list :-)

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  4. I took a tour of the Queen in Long Beach many MANY moons ago, Quite grand and impressive; sad they let her fall into disrepair.
    And that may be a heavy baby but also a very happy one!

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  5. Sounds like a great time, Shirley. I wasn't aware of the Queen Mary's deteriorating condition. I occasionally see her being investigated on these ghost hunting shows. Creepy looking place (interiors). I would imagine if there were 'ghosts' anywhere....this be the place! Glad you're going to read 'The Marble Faun of Grey Garden'. He had quite the story to tell. I'm a big fan of the documentary of Grey Gardens by the Maysles brothers and he's in that. Let us know what you think.
    Paranormal John

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    1. I wasn't aware he was in the documentary. If they run it again on TV, I'll look for him.

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  6. Your great grandson is so cute and looks like a real wiggler of a baby! I like your Xmas decorations and the new blog banner for the season!

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    1. He is a real wiggler whereupon I would sing wiggle wiggle wiggle to him but then this is 2022, so I changed it to Megan Thee Stallion's song .... Body-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody.

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  7. Great grandson looks like a fun handful!
    Like you, I'm suspicious of the Queen Mary's "renovations". Nice hall decking!

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    1. He was the star and loved all the attention. Will be interesting to see if the powers that be can make the end of year deadline to reopen portions of the Queen,

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  8. It is so nice when you can get away to visit and you really enjoy yourself. In our hurry-hurry world is so sometimes difficult to sit still and enjoy the weight of wet nappies on your lap.

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    1. It was nice not only to visit but to spend time away from the old folks for a bit. As for wet nappies, it was more like baby spittle on my shoulders :-)

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  9. Glad you're back and your patio is lovely. Hope some goofball doesn't try to climb up to your balcony and "steal" a gift. Didn't gain as much as I could have for Turkey Day. The son had a cold, so we exchanged prepared foods in the garage and didn't share cooties, and I returned home with a prepared meal for more than one!
    I visited friends in L.A. towards San Bernardino forest in '83. I remember we visited the Queen Mary, but I don't remember anything cool about it. The tour inside Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose was cool, with a reenactor who looked just like the younger Hughes. I DO remember our trip to Chippendale's! The front row seat photos are in my safe deposit box. That was back when you could still touch the guys, before evil cooties came along. Linda in Kansas

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  10. Thus far, only two of us have patio displays. I'm hoping for more because displays brighten up the place. You were smart to avoid the cooties. That Chippendale's photo must be extra naughty to be kept in a safe deposit box.

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  11. Oh, that Great-Grandbaby would be worth the whole trip, he's adorable and looks like a lively lil fella! I felt the same way about Steve Tyler's Book, still haven't finished it, not as well written as a couple others I did get thru more easily and enjoyed more. The Book that Eartha Kitt's Daughter wrote as a Tribute to her Mom was excellent. The Book 45's Niece wrote had no surprises about how dysfunctional the Family is, but did have some revelations that only direct Family would know and be able to divulge. You did good upon your return to switch Holidays.

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    1. I just don't have the time for reading I used to. I remember reading a book about Eartha Kitt, but I don't think her daughter wrote it. I think it was Eartha's autobiography in which she talked about a fling with Orson Wells, when he was still slim and handsome.

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    2. I think Eartha had her fair share of flings as she was quite the Sex Kitten and so sultry and Beautiful. I had a huge Crush, when Young, on Yul Brynner and didn't realize until his Son dropped a Book about his Dad, that Yul had a fling with Marilyn Monroe, among many others. Many of the Hollywood Trysts we don't know about would make great Blog Fodder or be Book worthy, I'm sure.

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