My poor housekeeper woke up on Monday morning to a flat tire. So, she had to postpone working at my house until Tuesday afternoon. Since we had to be out of the house for three hours, Pandi and I took a little trip around our neighborhood. We dropped Doc off to go book shopping and went to some local parks. First stop was Norma Brandel Gibbs Park at Sims Grove. The park is dedicated to original settlers of Orange County, such as the Bolsa family, the Grahams, the Heils, and the Slaters. All of these families have major streets here in Huntington Beach that are named after them. The land was originally used to raise lima beans, but then the Sims Grove was cut down to provide lumber for building houses.
In 2007, Leslie Gilson proposed making the park into a Butterfly Habitat for the big Monarch butterfly population. By 2009, more than 700 butterfly attracting trees and shrubs were planted and by 2014, the migration of butterflies to the park was established as a yearly phenomenon.
The pylons at the entrance to the park were fully refurbished in 2022.
There is a large tree-filled area with benches and picnic tables.
In 2011, eight large medallions and a circular mosaic tile patio were installed.
Pandi had a great time running through the park.
Donors provide money for upkeep and restoration and there are several signs and plaques acting as dedications to deceased loved ones.
Pandi then explored the south bed. Lots of dogs and their owners frolicked around on this beautiful day.
This path leads to the back side of the park. It is comprised of a large grassy field and a playground.
The information station offers a schedule of events as well as photos taken by park-goers.
Look at this swallowtail !
And of course, the king of butterflies, the Monarch!
They also had a library stand.
The bark on this eucalyptus was so beautiful!
Then we picked Doc up and went to HB Central Park. He went to the library while we walked around.
First stop was the lake to view the birds that live there.
Then we went to the Secret Garden.
The flower beds leading to the garden have recently been replanted.
Look at this poppy!
This is some type of African daisy.
I don't know what this beautiful lavender flower is.
The purple sage had huge spears of seeds sprouting.
Another proud family of Canada geese with their four little goslings. There is a family of Canadians in a water feature in the office building near our house, and they have four goslings as well.
What a gorgeous iris!
Another resident of the garden stopped to stare at me.
Then we took a drive down to Balboa peninsula in nearby Newport Beach. This picture is looking across the channel to Lido Island. Around 2008 or so, all the restaurants on the island had been shut down due to economic decline, but it seems very busy once again.
Then we went home to a spotless house!
So back to some outfits and other stuff. On April1st, I wore the LOGO anorak that I got last month at Savers. I wore it with purple yoga pants, a white T shirt and pink Asics running shoes.
Pandi loves me!
On April 2nd, I wore the Isaac Mizrahi leopard sweater with grey leggings and my Temu platform sneakers. I figured out the size discrepancy - this is a child's XL, not a women's size. That's why it fits me.
I got my Birchbox that day. Inside, from left to right:
1) Busy Co Face Wipes - cleans and tones in one swipe
2) DHC Deep Cleansing Oil - I have this and I like it.
3) Bella Pierre Shimmer Powder in Champagne
4) Tidal Rose Seaweed Hydration Mist - to set makeup
5) Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
The color for April 3rd was amber, so I wore this long sweater vest (no label) with a mosaic print chiffon blouse from Walter and my black cargo leggings. My purse is by Rachel Zoe and my shoes are Dr. Scholls.
On April 4th, I had to drop off some paperwork for my financial advisor, so I wore a red velveteen jacket by So, a sequined T shirt from Oneque, and Old Navy Pixie pants. My booties are from Sam Edelman.
Remember the laser treatment that I got on March 31st? Well, my hands were the last area to have scabs. They have now fallen off, and I have no more age spots on the tops of my hands or on my face. It's like a miracle.
On April 8th, I wore the sweater set from Marla Wynne. I decided to tie the duster tails at my waistline for a shapelier look. I wore my Eric Bloodaxe silver coin with the outfit. My tan suede booties are Steve Madden.
I got my Ipsy bag on April 9th. Inside, from top to bottom:
1) Elizabeth Mott Sure Thing Vitamin C Cleanser
2) Avant Skincare Advanced Bio Restorative Superfood Facial Oil
3) Billion Dollar Brows Billion Dollar Brow lift
4) Elemis Superfood Glow Priming Moisturizer
5) Chica Beauty Fiesta Eyeshadow Palette- some wild colors, so I am going to try them!
On April 10th, I wore a knit top from Style and Co with slinky knit pants from Antthony and a vintage belt. The slip-on sneakers are from Temu.
I received my second over-the-counter order from Medicare. I got Qtips, toothpaste, sleeping pills, 70% alcohol, and a set of jar openers and can openers.
On April 13th, we met my brother Bob, his partner Karin, and my nephew Matt at Avila's El Ranchito for lunch. I wore this satin print TopShop dress from Nordstrom with black suede Sam Edelman boots.
April 15th was our granddaughter Calista's 10th birthday. She lives in Arizona, so we went over to my MIL Mimi's house to call her together. It was also the two-year anniversary of Doc's retirement, so Mimi treated us all to fish and chips. I wore taupe leggings from Nordstrom with a satin blouse from River Island and Calvin Klein taupe smooth leather booties.
On April 16th, I made cupcakes for a Lab Week potluck. The lab staff invited me back for the event. I made red velvet and yellow, both with chocolate fudge frosting and sprinkles. The lab staff jumped on them like a pack of hyenas.
This is what I wore - cargo pants from Old Navy, along with a vintage satin baseball jacket and shoes from Temu.
There was a dessert contest for the delicacy that most resembled a lab specimen. The cream of ascites pudding won. My friend Mary made all the decorations.
On Friday, April 19th, we were supposed to have Frontier Communications come and install high-speed internet, but their system got hacked so they postponed. I wore track joggers from Forever 21 with a satin baseball jacket from Alison Taylor.
This adorable green bird came to the window to say hello. Check out the cool in-flight picture!
On Monday, April 22nd, we went over to see Win and Mimi. I wore my viral Amazon knit pants set and my Temu platforms. I also wore my Australian dingo silver coin necklace.
So that's about all for now - Jacki will turn one year old on May 5th, and I am planning a party. I really want to get a picture of her boyfriend Peanut in a pointy party hat! Stay tuned!
