Kar-lu-lu turns 20!!!

On March 8th, my little girl turned 20! 

Since Karly moved in with her dad, 3 years ago, I don't get to see her as much, but I sure treasure the 

time we spend together!

                               To celebrate, we had a little tea party, just the two of us! 

                           I got a little "crafty" with the decor, and made her a Birthday Girl hat...

and some centerpieces...

and a Birthday Girl banner!

On the menu: coffee, tea, cookies, marzipan,  lemon cookies, meringue cookies, more cookies.

(Nobody ever accused me of being a good menu planner!)

                                      Karly loved this ring from Grandma & Grandpa Johnson.

She also loved this book and every other gift she opened.

Except, maybe this one:

It's a real mink, and I found it at a consigment shop.

Ever since Karly was about 3, she has been fascinated by mink stoles ~ the kind that ladies used to actually wear around their necks, while also donning some ubber-chic hat, and  holding a ciggy in an extra-long holder. Got the picture?

Well, I guess that one dead mink is a far cry from a stole, but I think it really started to grow on her.

Karly, I love being your mother & friend!

I hope and pray that the rest of your life is full of love, fun & joy!

Christmas

OK, so I'm a bit late with the Christmas post. When you only have 1 1/2 readers, it just doesn't seem urgent to keep things real timely! These are some of the ways we celebrated this year:

Christmas Eve lunch on the beach in Del Mar ('cuz you know I'm not cooking!)

Paul & Rosemary came to visit, and this is the only photo of them I took. :(

Bad daughter-inlaw!

We crashed the Condon's gathering at Jeff & Teri's house. Gail was making lasagne - not going to miss that!
Jeff modeled the latest in Backwards-Robe Chic, AKA the Snuggie.
The cousins:

Neil and his bud, Van decorated gingey-houses.

It was our first Christmas at Del Schner!
Karly came up to inspire and assist in some decorating. She helped hang the lights, and MADE that big wreath. Yep, she asked for 3 wire hangers and all of the garland I could round up, and presto!
She also designed and MADE us a new tree skirt! It's velvet, and lined, and sumptuous and gorgeous. Thanks, Lulu!

Legoland was so festive at Halloween, we went back on Christmas Day!

We hope you all enjoyed some very:

two and a half men

The Christmas post can wait. This is interesting. Really. It Is.

Keith and I, being huge fans of the sitcom "Two and a Half Men", had talked for years about going to LA to see the taping. Tickets are nearly impossible to get, but the miraculous occurred, and we headed up for Friday's taping with Mike and DeAnne. (DeAnne is my BFF, and partner in crime at 'Dancing With the Stars', and Mike is her "hot & hilarious drummer" hubby).

Unless you are living in a cave, you've heard about Charlie Sheen's recent domestic issues. BYW: He is the star of the show, and makes $825,000 per half hour episode. Just a little trivia fer 'ya. Anywho, we became a bit concerned that his legal woes might affect our precious plans. All was a go, however, and much to our relief.

Now, some would say I've had pretty good luck with the celebretunities in my time. I don't like to brag, of course, but may I remind you: front row CMT Awards, meeting Keith Urban, coffee w/ Keith & Nicole, red carpet Emmy's, a stint on Family Feud, front row Dancing With the Stars, and I'll spare you the rest, for now. Any and all celebretunities I've had have exceeded my expectations. It's a gift, I guess. Some might call it a "stalker-ish waste of time'. I prefer "a fond appreciation of seeing stars".

We arrived at the Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, parked, and began heading to the check- in area, along with some other ticket-waving, smiling loonies. As we got to the podium, we are told "Tonight's taping has been cancelled. I'm sorry." Huh!? I felt like the Griswold's , driving 2,000 miles to Wally World, only to be told "Sorry Folks, Parks Closed"! No explanation was given, only that it was very last-minute.

It seemed criminal, and surely, Charlie was to blame! Either he landed himself in the clinker AGAIN, or disappeared on some drinking binge with an un-named, and likely paid, bimbo! Not cool, Charlie. NOT COOL.

L.A. is an armpit, for sure, but it is a fun one, so we stayed for awhile to let the rush-hour traffic pass. Universal Studios CityWalk was just 1.3 miles down the road. It's an outdoor mall/eatery/drinkery/movie/entertainment/people watching haven.

DeAnne is a hot ghetto mess

You can fly! For $40 bucks, and the possibility that the "instructor" may grab you in all the wrong places!

no comment on this one

shrimp cocktail, shrimp stew, shrimp casserole, shrimp salad, shrimp pasta, shrimp...

For Andy & Karyn - this is a sign at CityWalk. Thought you'd like that!

On the way outta there, we were passed by two sirened, speeding trucks, with the words "BOMB SQUAD" clearly marked on all sides. Only in L.A.!

Sooooo... this morning I am reading the news (TMZ) and come across this little nugget:

Security flooded the set of "Two and a Half Men" on Friday after a threat was made against Jon Cryer.

Sources connected with the show tell us the threat was "significant." We're also told it involves the turbulent divorce with Jon's ex-wife.

Sources tell us the taping went on, but because of security concerns, there was be no audience.

The threat does not involve Charlie Sheen.

We spoke with Vicki Greene, lawyer for Sarah Trigger (Jon's ex) who said, "There's no reason in the world why Sarah would do anything like that."

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/#ixzz0cnOAekpQ

Who knew!? I was so quick to throw Charlie under the bus, it never occurred to me that Jon "Ducky" Cryer or his crazy ex had any part of it! Did the "BOMB SQUAD" units come from there? We'll never know. Will we try again to see the taping? Heck, ya!

halloween, thanksgiving, and a visit!

HALLOWEEN...

Neil was a ghoul, and Karly came as her alter-ego, Marie Antoinette. Yes, she MADE that dress! Her friend, Artulita, made a lovely See's Candies lady. Our back alley block party was just right-nice.

Gorgeous!
Traci, Shane, & Van ~

So cute, so fun!

THANKSGIVING...

For the second year in a row, we went out to eat with the Scimes for Thanksgiving. No shopping, no cooking, no cleaning up! Now that's a holiday to be thankful for!

Neil loved the chocolate fountain.

We went on a boat ride around the bay.

Neil, Julia, and Jenna... like peas and carrots and carrots.

The boat ride got just a bit long...

We tried to take photos for our Christmas cards, but only 1 of us looked good.

Jeff, Teri, Julia, and Jenna - their photo IS card-worthy!

I HEART VISITS ...

Mom & Dad came for a visit. Dad says that 'trips' are for fun, and 'visits' are to see family. I like to think he has some fun on our visits! I do!

He wanted a rootbeer float from Corvette diner.

Mom wanted to take photos on the beach in Coronado.

We aim to please!