Gone But Not Forgotten...Our Nomadic Adventure

Sept. 13, 2006

Jim and I are packing for our whirlwind wedding weekend in Los Angeles. We have been in Rancho Mirage for a little more than 2 weeks and it has been wonderful.

For those of you who don't already know...Jim and I are on our one-year Nomadic Adventure and we've settled into Rancho Mirage. We are at Barbara's house now while she is in Russia. It is wonderful here. No traffic (yet) no parking meters, graffiti, pot-holes, bad air, etc. We play golf at twilight, swim at night and just enjoy the views.

We rented a home at Mission Hills CC on the 18th fairway of the tournament course with lake and clubhouse views. It is beautiful. We also joined the Mission Hills Country Club on a one-year trial membership so we have golf, tennis, fitness (it's brand new), and food.

We move into our new home on Sept, 28th, and will remain there through March. Then on to Healdsburg, a very quaint wine country retreat where I have located two possible houses for rent. We are planning a trip to view the houses in October, for an April - June stay. Then, I found us a vacation rental in Beaver Creek, Colorado, twelve miles from Vail, on the 12th fairway of a course called Eagle Creek. We will visit that area at the end of October. So, once we solidify those homes, we will not have to worry about our living arrangements for the rest of the year. I've worked hard on that and it has paid off. That finishes off the year and we move back to LA the end of August 2007.

The girls are settled in at UW, Madison. Amy is elated to live in an apartment with her own washer-dryer. We sent a gift package we saw online filled with filets, chicken, fish, potatoes and chocolate cake. Their freezer was empty. It was a home-run moment for the girls. They'll have food for a few weeks. She has 3 roommates.

Stephanie is in the Chi-O Sorority house in a very small room with Melissa from Santa Monica, but she loves it there. We talk often and she is busier than ever. The weather has been lousy. They were in the biggest thunderstorm about a week after they arrived. Welcome to the Midwest girls.

On Thursday night, Jim's office is throwing him a goodbye party.  It's so nice of them to honor him this way.

On Friday, the girls and I are doing a day of beauty. Waxing, hair, mani/pedi, eyebrows. The works. We'll try to find time for lunch.

Friday night is the rehearsal dinner at Spago, in Beverly Hills. Ninety people from all over New York and various other places will be there. Adam's parents are hosting it.

Saturday is hair day, then the wedding at the Four Seasons. Cheers to Dana & Adam.

Sunday, after we send the girls on their flight, we are having brunch with friends and then back to the desert to unwind.

The Governors Conference is coming up in Long Beach and I will be to host a speaker. I hosted Dr. Laura last year. It was such a fabulous event. This year The Dalai Lama is speaking. I feel blessed.