Venue, Found!

Trey and Christa went to look at the Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse on Monday and loved it.  Except for maybe the sea-foam green color on the bottom part of the walls.  But they did decide to take it.  So, I put down a deposit and we are on our way.  September 10th will be the day my baby gets married.  Now the hardest part is done, picking the place and the day.

Inside the bathhouse's banquet room.  

 

A lady named Katherine from the site, www.weddingbee.com sent me a picture of her wedding

I would have never thought of looking in San Pedro.  Luckily, one of my AFT patients (a program we have to continue conditioning after you're done with therapy) suggested it.  Thanks, Majella!  She has been so sweet.  She even started off my Candy Buffet with a donation of a really pretty jar.  I do really like the venue. It's so historic.  It was the last bathhouse built in California around 1932. It was at the end of the old Red Car line.  It used to be the Marine Museum.  The new museum is on the same grounds but is much larger and more modern.  I've been here several times for Grunion Runs.  I never caught any though.  Probably a good thing since I don't like fish and you have to catch them in your bare hands. Yuck!  It was fun to play in the waves though.

 

Christa is thinking of Aqua, Fuchsia and Orange for her colors now.  We are discussing groomsmen's  attire.  I'm thinking more casual than she is.  A first I'm sure.  Oh, and they have the most important part of the catering set up, the bar, lol.  You have to use a specific one for Los Angeles County Parks department venues, apparently.

I got to see my mom on Sunday after running around looking for more Candy Buffet containers.  No luck.  But I did find some cute "Just Married" magnets at the 99 cent store.  Mom was having a harder day then usual with her memory so I only stayed about 45 minutes.  We stayed in the hall as she was not enjoying her crazy roommate that day.  Her sweet roommate, Helen, is still quite ill and Mom is very worried about her.  We talked mostly about the wedding and Jon's baby, Alexandra and Carole moving to Savanah.  Her favorite subjects lately.  It was raining so I didn't take her outside anywhere.  People in the Mid-west will be happy to know that when I left for work on Monday, it was only 40.  So, see, it does get cold here in the winter sometimes!

My sister's (Barb and Virginia) came to see my mom on Monday and we went out to lunch at Wendy's.  Barb picked up some kewl stuff at a gem show and one of my co-workers was interested in a tourmaline necklace she made.  She says she almost went blind doing it because the beads are so small, she had a hard time stringing them.  She is opening a design line called B-hop and has a little logo idea of a bee buzzing around the hop.  Very cute.

I'm up in the middle of the night again writing this.  What is with women in they forties and not sleeping?  I have to get up early, like in 2 hours, to make a fruit platter for a co-worker's birthday.  She didn't want a cake, she wanted something healthy.  So, I'm complying.  Besides, I make amazing fruit platters.  With serrated citrus and strategically placed berries.  Very nice.

Randy is not doing very well this week. He has a bad cold and his kidney stones are really bothering him again.  He is going to apply to be part of a study on Wednesday.  I hope it helps him.  Nothing else seems to have and living in near-constant pain for over 2 years is really taking a toll on my poor Pookie!

Well, gonna try to get back to sleep now! 

Saturday and the living is .....Easy?

The Dish Network guys showed up right on time at 8 AM.  Does this every really happen?  Well, he re-pointed the dishes and we have great signal now.  YEAH!

Frank in Happier Times

I, unfortunately, had to wake Frank up so he could make sure his TV was OK.  Frank was NOT happy about that since he had only gone to sleep at 6 AM.  He must have been doing well at the casino that night.  I saw more of him than I wanted too (shorts and a tee-shirt).  I'm so glad Randy is not a hairy beast!

East Side of Cabrillo Bath House

I was able to get to look at some more venues with Christa.  We started in San Pedro at the Cabrillo Beach Bath House.  We weren't able to get inside as they are closed on Saturday unless there is an event.  We knew that, but wanted to at least look at the grounds.  Trey and Christa have an appointment on Monday to see the inside. 

So far our more hopeful site.  She really likes the idea of getting married on the beach.  When we were having lunch with Trey later (thanks for lunch, Trey!), he was stoked and asked if he could wear an Hawaiian shirt instead of a tux.  I think he thought I was going to have a reaction cause he was looking at me with a twinkle in his eye when he said it.  I told him I didn't care what he wore.  Christa, on the other hand, jumped in with, "Oh no!  You are NOT wearing an Hawaiian shirt!!!"  I told her why not?  Your dad could really get on board with that!  We left it up in the air.  Then we went on to talk about since this place allows outside catering, we could do a Taco Cart or In and Out Burger truck or even Charo Chicken.  I think it could be really FUN!  Even if we use a regular caterer, it's definitely the most budget friendly and truly beautiful.

Trey and Christa

We also looked at El Dorado Park.  We both forgot to take pictures, but here's the link http://www.choura.us/venues/eldorado  Really pretty and it looks like they ARE available.on the date.  There was a hold on it when we looked, but he e-mailed Christa last night and the other couple booked elsewhere.  It's pretty.  There are fountains and a pond and ducks and, unfortunately, geese.  (People that know me, know I almost killed a gander in this park when Christa was about 2 or 3. Let me know if you want the full story.)   Also very pretty and a lot less work for me, but about twice the cost.  I would still be fine with it.  The coordinator/catering manager was VERY easy to work with and there was a great feeling about it.

Went back to Recreation Park to nail down price and see what alternate dates were available.  I was underwhelmed.  The deals she was originally willing to work were gone.  The service that was promised also Kaput!  Her attitude was snotty and condescending.  I'm glad we were forced to look at other options.  At least we can walk away feeling like this was NOT the right place for us.

After the aforementioned lunch, I went and saw my mom.  We had a nice, long visit.  I sat in on the Po-keno game.  There were only 4 people playing, but MAN, were they competitive!  I guess those red-tickets they give out are REALLY status symbols!  It was quite cute and quite fun.  I my mom out, but she was getting chilly so we went to a coffee house across the street.  I bought her a small coffee and we sat at a table.  We met a young lady who just started the nursing program at Cypress College.  She will be doing her first clinical at my mom's place in about a week.  Her name is Condra (Sondra with a "C", she said.) She was very nice and we had a nice little chat with her.  Then one of Christa's old teachers came by and we had a great little visit with him.  Mr. Mekna.  He is still at Poly and I told him to drop by the Make Up Room and say Hi to me at the next play.  His son is getting a second Masters in Music and is going for a PhD in Chamber Music.  I didn't even know there WAS a Ph.D. in Chamber Music, LOl.  He was happy to hear of Christa's upcoming nuptials. Randy joined us after he got off work at the rehab.

Alex and Billy dropped by in the evening and we had a really nice visit.