Sat. Morning With Dr. V

We loaded up Seven this morning and did our monthly ride to Dr. VanCise's excellent clinic All Animals Hospital. Seven's seizures have come under control with the Doctor's care. He was the first vet to test for Seven's thyroid, which was non existent. Seems simple but all the fancy vets, doctors and animal neurosurgeons in Los Angeles never thought of it. It's a bit of a drive to Norco every six weeks but the staff there have become family. And it was with a little sadness that Dr.V thinks Seven only needs to come every 8 weeks now..... From 4 to 6 to 8. As the time between visits lengthen, we know Seven is getting better but we will miss our treks.

Gold Line to Court

I hopped on the Gold Line this morning to travel downtown to Probate Court this morning. Was happy to see the cars were full. People always saying that mass transit will never work in Los Angeles. I met Jason outside the court room and we wondered if any of the assembling suits would be outbidding me on the house. Finally 8:30 am rolled around and we entered the courtroom. The estate's lawyer made an announcement to the room about overbids on Terrace 49. No one bit. Jason introduced me to the two realty ladies handling the property. After the judge got over the confusion of the home's address, she thought 49 was an apartment number, the judge asked the court room for any over bids. No one answered. Down came the gavel and my offer became accepted. The whole process took 6 weeks to line up and 90 seconds to execute.

One Day Away

We went by the house yesterday and took a few snaps of the long, long grass. Some little yellow flowers (dandelions) have begun to sprout. and no one has been around to pick up the Mexican limes falling in the backyard. We met the next door neighbor who seems to be a bit down on the property. In fact, the idiosyncricies that we find charming with the home, he thinks are detriments needing to be expunged ....
Anyways, it's 16 hours till court time.

Weekend Dog

Seven slept through all the recent excitement. He vows not to be interested in Hollywood stuff until RinTinTin returns......

Oscars Behind the Scenes

Many more pictures from the AP

Wire Bests Betrayal

"Nerakoon" got bested by "Man on Wire" last night but the girls should get a special Oscar for classic Hollywood glamour.

2 Hours To Go: The Limo

We made our way back to the girls' house and waited for the limo to arrive. Ellen's agent, publicist and co producer came to await the main event. More champagne and pictures ensued.

4 Hours To Go

The hair and make up people came and left from Flora's house were Ellen is staying. We arrived with SP and SH carrying champagne and WL's homemade chocolates. Francois and Douglas were already in attendance offering advice on accessories. A little fashion show with EK wearing the Donna Karan gown and sequined shawl. She also tried on several of the jewels she's been loaned. Stunning. The Oscars start in four hours!

Story of the Stimulus

Great shots from White House fotog Pete Souza of the making of the economic recovery package....
More here

Who Said This?

"For nearly four years you have had an Administration which instead of twirling its thumbs has rolled up its sleeves. We will keep our sleeves rolled up.

We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace—business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering.

They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.

Of course we will continue to work for cheaper electricity in the homes and on the farms of America, for better and cheaper transportation, for low interest rates, for sounder home financing, for better banking, for the regulation of security issues, for reciprocal trade among nations. For all these we have only just begun to fight."

Find out and listen to more here

Friday Dog

It's cold and rainy here. Everyone is curled up and staying warm. But on those occasions that one does need to relieve oneself, a festive umbrella makes the journey a bit more bearable.