Julie and Stevie's Most Excellent Adventure to the Down Under

This is a test run to see if the Blog sight is working so I can keep in touch while I'm away.

Coming Soon!  Julie and Stevie's Most Excellent Adventure to the Down Under

Stevie arrived in Los Angeles yesterday, February 3rd, 2014.  

We had a great time last night at a beautiful "BonVoyage Dinner" hosted by our Hermosa Beach friends, Marc, Tammy, Kelly and Jess at the Manhattan Beach Post in Manhattan Beach.  They sent us on our way in style with our tummies full of crazy amazing Cheddar, Bacon Biscuits among other delicious dishes.   

After a bike ride to Venice Beach today for lunch, we should be sufficiently worn out so we can sleep on our 13 hour flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand.  Then it's on to Queenstown, NZ for a few days of fun.  I'll be back with more on our adventures.  Hope you'll tune in.  

Julie's California Blog - Day 32

Julie's California Blog - Day 32, Wednesday, May 1, 2013

I've really enjoyed getting to know the LA area.  When I first arrived, the interstate highways intimidated me, but I'm used to them now and the 12 lanes of traffic have become second nature.  Allowing myself an extra hour to get someplace because of traffic is a little more difficult to embrace.  

I'm glad I took the time to truly appreciate some of my surroundings, which, I've learned, happens only when we stop long enough to actually pay attention.  I will miss my walks on The Strand.  Even though most of the people I passed on my walks seemed to look right through me - totally self absorbed - I still managed to meet some interesting people along the way.  I'm no longer shocked at the strangeness of some of the folks I saw.  In fact, their weirdness has become my new normal.  We're all people.  I'm no different from anyone else.  I'm no better than anyone else.  Well, I may smell better than some of them, but deep down inside, we're all looking for the same thing, peace and happiness.  How we get there is what makes us different.  I'll miss the fabulous restaurants, incredible shopping, the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, the ever changing breathtaking sunsets and the energy of life on The Strand.

But alas, it's time to go home.  I've been in California for a month.  My objective was to check on Jeff and make sure he is adjusting favorably to college life.  That mission was accomplished.  Jeff seems to be doing very well.  He has a great group of friends.  He's decided that he likes USC.  He seems very happy.  I don't really know what more I could ask for.  This lessens my anxiety level somewhat.  Now I need to get a better feel for how Jacqueline is coping. 

This morning, after my last walk on The Strand, I 

loaded the car with all my gear and the two dogs and went to the airport.  Scruffy seemed happy to be leaving LA.  He found much solace in his comfortable seat on the airplane.  When he arrived home in his yard in Tampa, he gave me a look of relief and joy - GRASS.  He never did really warm up to the concrete on The Strand and was very glad to be home even if it was pouring rain when we arrived.  

Squeaker was equally happy to be home.  

As for me - wow!  I feel very unsettled right now.  I guess I'm glad to be home.  At first, I asked myself - home to what?  An empty house?  Then I admonished myself for even considering another pity party when I am so incredibly blessed with the most unbelievable friends and family, who stopped their lives long enough to read my silly blog page and never once told me how stupid and self centered it was.  These are people who really care about me because I'm ME.  I am so grateful to have you in my life.  Thank you!  So besides a Great Dane who just had knee surgery and now lives in my kitchen, two air conditioners that don't work - of course, they are the ones in my bedroom and bathroom - the internet is down, which is ok because my keyboard and touch pad don't work either, the batteries are dead in all of my tv remotes, the phone system back up battery is beeping, and my car is out of gas, but I'm still happy to be HOME and can't wait to see you all! 

My California Adventure was great fun. I'm so glad you stuck it out with me through these blog entries. I hope you found them entertaining and felt like you were experiencing a bit of the trip with me through these words and photos. I wish each of you could have been with me and I hope my new California friends are presently sitting on The Strand enjoying another beautiful sunset while sipping a glass of $3.00 wine.




Before I end this blog, I wanted to share a couple of photos that deserve a little recognition because they are just so bizarre.
While walking to dinner in Beverly Hills with Jeff, Kenny and Sheryl, we passed a house with 30 bronze statues filling the yard surrounded by an iron fence. These people have their own personal zoo with life sized bronze animals everywhere. Bizarre.



Remember the trouble I had with my bed and the sheets that didn't fit very well. I tried to describe the situation, but one picture is worth a thousand words.




Here's a photo of our waiter at Yamashiro's restaurant in Hollywood. His claim to fame - He played the part of The Blue Power Ranger in the Power Ranger Movie. Recognize him? He's sporting his famous Blue Power Ranger pose. He's blue now because he's working as a waiter instead of the film industry!



Here's a photo of three really cool French Bulldogs riding down The Strand on a skate board. The owner of the dogs jumped on the skate board, pushed a button and his electric skateboard took off with the three dogs just along for the ride. Or perhaps it was the other way around - the dude was along for the ride with the French Bulldogs. Regardless, it was cool. P.S. I was back in Hermosa Beach in October and met this guy and his dogs at a Halloween Party. The dogs are amazing.



And I'd be totally remiss if I didn't show you this bike. Lots of people out here decorate their bikes so they take on the personality of the owner. This guy must be a yeti.

I guess that's enough of the bizarre and honorable mention photos. Thanks for checking in with me for the past month.

This is Julie's California Blog signing out.

Julie's California Blog - Day 31

Julie's California Blog - Day 31, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Today is my last full day in California and it appears we have an early arrival of "May Gray", as the locals refer to the marine layer that hides the sunshine.  The first night in the new condo was not exactly tranquil.  The refrigerator had issues that caused a beeping alarm to sound ALL NIGHT LONG.  In fact, it's still beeping as I write.  It must be similar to sound torture used at Guantanamo Bay, where interrogators play non-stop blaring music to detainees for hours.  That nagging little beeping sound magnifies in intensity the longer it beeps.  I would tell them ANYTHING to get it to stop.  In addition to the beeping refrigerator, my neighbor, who works at a bar, came stumbling by my window at 2:30 a.m., kicking over a trash can full of beer cans.  He grumbled and cursed to himself while picking up each beer can and slamming them one by one back into the metal trash can.  Then he went into his house and turned on the tv until around 4:00.  Since most of these places have no air conditioning, the windows stay open, and the units are so close together, it was like having the tv on in my room.  So it was beep, curse, crash, and a Mash Marathon for hours last night.  

Apparently Squeaker doesn't approve of the new noisy condo, either.  Normally, when I am in the kitchen and food is involved, I have Squeaker's undivided attention.  While I was cooking my eggs this morning, I noticed she was not standing by.  I searched the condo, but no Squeaker.  Damn!  So I set off to find her.  I searched downstairs, through the garage, down the alley, back to The Strand, anxiously calling her name.  I finally found her on the porch of a beautiful Mediterranean home a block away.  

She'd just made herself at home.  I must say, the dog has good taste.   It's actually a rental property that I've considered inquiring about, so I peaked in the windows as I collected Squeaker.   It's quite nice.  Which would you choose?  Mediterranean Mansion (left) or noisy condo (right)?  Ok.  I'll call on it today.  With my renegade dog tucked under my arm, I went back to the noisy condo for my cold egg breakfast.  I also tightened up the baby gate to prevent further escapes.  

I spent the remainder of the morning and early afternoon getting organized for the trip home and preparing for a dinner party tonight. 

This evening was a truly fascinating event with a group of 4 other couples, who have children in USC's School of Cinematic Arts Programs, all gathered for an intimate dinner at USC President, Max Nikias's beautiful estate.  Dean Elizabeth Daly was there as well.  We had a very diverse group from around the world.  I loved the family from Beverly Hills.  The dad is from Pakistan married to an American woman from Beverly Hills, who spent the evening texting on her cell phone.  They spend the winter holidays in Aspen and I've invited them to check out Aspen in the summertime.  Unfortunately, they usually "summer" in the south of France, but since Aspen is only a two hour flight, Fallah wants to come out and play golf with me.  Another interesting couple flew in from Japan yesterday and will return to Tokyo tomorrow.  He is President of Sony in Tokyo.  Their son is a freshman in Jeff's class.  Another couple was from India.  He is in the tech business, heavily involved with Google.  I kind of had to scratch my head and ask myself, why was I invited to mingle with these Billionaires (with a capital B) at the President's home tonight.  But I really enjoyed the evening and meeting Niki and Max Nikias.  They entertain some 4000 people per year in their home, but they made me feel like I was the single most important one.  "Fight ON!"

When I returned to noisy condo, I took the pups for a quick walk on the beach.  The refrigerator was not  repaired today, so it's still beeping.  To cut down on the noise, I closed the bedroom door and window and turned on a portable fan.  The white noise of the fan drowned out the beeping refrigerator and I didn't even hear my neighbor when he walked by.  I look forward an undisturbed sleep tonight.  Nite nite all.

Julie's California Blog - Day 30

Julie's California Blog - Day 30, Monday, April 29, 2013

Today is Monday moving day - AGAIN.  Referring back to earlier blog entries, you may remember the horrible condo I lived in when I first arrived in California.  The rental agency was kind enough to move me to a much better place, but there was a caveat that the unit was booked beginning the 30th of April, so I would have to move to a different location.  So this morning it is time to pack up and move.  I considered just packing up and heading back to Tampa a few days early, but I've been invited to dinner at the home of the President of USC, Max and Niki Nikias, on Tuesday evening, so I've decided to stay.  Another good reason to stay will be the opportunity to try out another option for a rental property next year. 

I moved in to the new condo this afternoon.  It's quite nicely updated and is much larger than my last place.  It will be much easier to accommodate Jeff and his fraternity friends here.  So this could be my "go to" place next time I come to CA.  Might be fun to stay here next fall for Parent's weekend and perhaps again next April.    

After I moved in, I got a call from one of my new friends (from the hula hoop party) inviting me to play golf.  I've already shipped my clubs back to Tampa as well as my golf shoes and clothes, but I found a pair of shorts, tennis shoes and a dozen golf balls.  What more does one need?  Oh yes, clubs.  Mark had extra clubs, so away we went.  We played at a little 9 hole par 3 course.  The course was in surprisingly good shape and I shot 2 over, which was kind of fun, considering I was playing with a set of unfamiliar clubs.

After golf, we met Mark's wife, Tammy and Kelly at Mediterraneo on the Pier.  It's a really nice place that serves Tapas and has a great happy hour, buy one, get one free on the Tapas and $3.00 wine.  We laughed all evening.  Mark should be one of the comedians at the Comedy Club here in Hermosa Beach.  He kept us entertained all evening.

On the walk back to the condo, Kelly took me by to meet her brother and to see his home, which was a rental option for next year.  He's a nice guy, the home is over the top fabulous, but it's expensive and NOT on The Strand.  The view of the ocean from the 3rd floor is really beautiful, but I really enjoy the energy of The Strand.  So I'm passing.  

What a treat to meet and make new friends.  I hope to see them all again when I return to California.  

Tomorrow is my last day in California.  

Julie's California Blog - Day 29

Julie's California Blog - Day 29, Sunday, April 28, 2013




The marine layer blew away early today making for a beautiful Sunday morning. The beach is packed.

I spent a quiet, lazy day at the condo until it was time to pick up Jeff for dinner with Kenny and Sheryl. We had a great time tonight at a place called Kate Mantilini in Beverly Hills. 

After dinner, I dropped Jeff at school and headed back to the beach so thankful for the time I had with Jeff while here in California. Tonight was my last visit with Jeff until he gets home for the summer. 

Julie's California Blog - Day 28

Julie's California Blog - Day 28, Saturday April 27, 2013

The kids had a great time last night.  More Beer Pong was involved as well as a card game and lots of laughing and giggling.  The games finally came to an end around 4:30 a.m.   

When I got up to take the dogs out at 8:00, there were bodies everywhere again.  These kids are very resourceful when finding a place to sleep.  Couch cushions and ottomans become beds and beach towels work nicely for blankets.  Oh, to be young.

I made a quick run to McDonald's for a bag of Sausage, Egg and Cheese biscuits and when I returned to pass them out, it looked like a momma bird returning to the nest to feed the young, a gaggle of hands reaching up to receive the chow.  It just made me laugh.

We spent the morning on the beach until around 1:00 when it was time for another feeding, so we went to Waterman's at the Pier for lunch with the remaining 8 kids.  I haven't been to Waterman's and I'm glad my first trip included these 8 kids.  The place was a buzz of activity.  It was packed with a very interesting and eclectic  group of people.  A group of girls came in dressed in gold lame body suits with chartreuse tutu's.  Most of the men wore wife beater shirts with bulging muscles loaded with tattoos.  One guy walked by wearing pink fur ugg boots with matching pink shorts. You can imagine the looks he got from the muscle bound tough guys. Music, which was awesome, was blaring  so loudly the waitress had to pass the order form around for us to write our food orders.   It was a crazy, loud, exhilarating, fun place to spend time with these kids.  The food was not great, but I would recommend Waterman's for the stimulating entertainment. 

After lunch, the group was ready to head back to school.  I took the pups for a quick walk while Jeff and friends were gathering their gear.  I walked back into the condo expecting to see things gathered up and everybody ready to leave, rather the kids were out like a light, snoozing and snoring away.  Made me laugh out loud!  

Around 6:30, the kids finally headed out.  I'm not gonna lie, I was REALLY sad to see them go.  I took the dogs and walked down the beach to watch the sunset, feeling really sad and lonely when I ran across a group of people trying to hula hoop.

Their pitiful attempt with the hula hoop shook me out of my self induced pity party and I felt I had to stop and share the Betty Hoops method of hula hoop technology with them.  Next thing ya know, I found myself with a glass of wine, a hula hoop and a really fun group of people enjoying the sunset.  

It's a small world at Hermosa Beach.  The agency I've been working with to find a larger condo for next year, told me about a 4 bedroom house just off the beach.  They sent me the website for the house, which is only 2 blocks away from my current location.  The owner is not in town, but his sister is a local who would be happy to show me the place, Kelly Flynn.  I met his sister at the hula hoop party.  She's a really nice girl who owns a catering company in town.  What a small world.  I'm not really interested in the house because it's not on The Strand, but I really enjoyed making a new friend in Hermosa Beach.

I've asked my self several times why I'm in California for a month.  My reasoning was to check on Jeff to see how he's getting along.  He really struggled the first semester at college and I've been quite worried about him.  I'm happy to report that he's doing very well with his brotherhood at the Fraternity.  He has opened up to them about loosing his dad and they have rallied to his side offering friendship and strength.  

As for me, I think subconsciously, there may be another reason for my trip.  To reconnect with Julie Jones Wooley.   After being with Jeff for 30 years, and loosing him, I'm not really sure who I am.  I'm still trying to figure that out, but in the meantime, the lesson I keep learning over and over again is, when one door closes, another one opens.  It really amazes me how this continues to happen.  I'm constantly reminded of what my dad said to me when I asked him about my loss.  He said many very wise things, but the one that continues to resonate with me is, "Julie, the best is yet to come."  How does one set out to find what is yet to come?  THAT is the question.  Any suggestions?

Julie's California Blog - Day 27

Julie's California Blog - Day 27, Friday, April 26, 2013

This is the kind of day that could make me want to stay in California. It's sunny and warm and I know I heard the beach calling my name. (Yikes, I'm starting to sound like Green Flash Pat.) But first, it's time for Squeaker and Scruffy to have a day of pampering. I so enjoyed my day yesterday, that I'm taking them to the groomer to be bathed. They are not-so-fresh smelling. Unfortunately, they are not as excited as I was but considering their impending doom, they walked happily down The Strand to the groomer. Remember, Scruffy does NOT like water. When we arrived at Bow Wow Grooming, Scruffy grabbed every bar on the cage to keep from going inside. Oh the look he gave me when he was finally safely inside the cage awaiting his bath. Ouch! Well, sorry, kids. 
After I delivered the dogs to the groomer I set off to Manhattan Beach for breakfast at Uncle Bills. The place was packed. Doesn't ANYBODY in this state work? I'll answer that. NO! They are all at Uncle Bills or on the 405. Most of them are collecting their pensions - 80% of their pay from government jobs. No wonder this state is going broke. Ok, I'll step off the soap box and tell you that I enjoyed my breakfast and walked back to the condo to collect my beach chair, umbrella and a good book. I spent rest of the day relaxing on the beach reading a book. I can't remember the last time I sat down with a good book. It was wonderful. 


Later in the afternoon, I picked up the dogs at Bow Wow and stopped at Ralph's to stock up on junk food for Jeff and his friends who are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. As the sun began to set, the neighbors and I gathered to enjoy the view. 




I turned in early to watch a movie and get some sleep, when suddenly, my front door opened and the party began with Jeff and several of his friends. Life is good!!