Knotts Berry Farm In Buena Park California Is A Great Place To Take Grandchildren For A Fun Day, Week or Week-end

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[caption id="attachment_1407" align="aligncenter" width="352"] Knotts Berry Farm Is A Great Place To Take Grand-Kids![/caption]

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I've been going to Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park California since the 1950's.  It was a great place to go as a child, but it's even better now if you love all the scary amusement park rides.  I don't, but my children and their children love them, so it's a great place to take our grandchildren or visit with our children and our grand-kids.  I like it better than Disneyland in Anaheim, California, but that's only because I like the smaller environment better.

The best thing about Knotts Berry Farm is that you can take children of all ages and there's something for everyone.  It has all the highlights of an amusement park, but it's also got something for all ages of the older generation.  It still has Virginia's Gift Shop which was there when I was a child.  It's got the Chicken Restaurant and the old Ghost Town setting.  Children can still pan for gold as well!

One of the highlights of the visit is the train ride.  It's a great place to rest for a time and there's a real robbery that kid's love.  The robbers are very engaging with the kids and they love it!

If you do take children, remember they may need you to go on some of the rides with them, especially if they are very small.

 

Visiting Knotts Berry Farm

While the park can be crowded, it's never been intolerable on any of my visits.  There's always plenty of space and shade from the many large trees around the park.  There's plenty of comfortable places to sit and rest. There are also many places to eat if you wish to eat inside the park.  Of course, you can get your hand stamped and go to any of the variety of restaurants nearby, whether fast food and sit-down.  However, there are very nice restaurants within the park.

If you have a problem walking for too long, you can just stay for a few hours, but plan well so that your grandchildren will be able to get on their favorite rides.  However, you may wish to visit without children as the park is very pleasant.  There are many displays, shops and stores where you can buy unique items or knott products and foods.

You can visit the front of the park free.  If you wish to go on the rides, you pay one low price and that will cover them all.  However, food and drinks are separate.  
 

Parking At Knotts Berry Farm

Parking is easy but during the summer and week-ends you may have to park far out.  However, they do have a tram if you don't wish to walk all the way.  When we went with our daughter, we parked across the street from the park parallel with the entrance where knotts has a huge lot and a ramp to walk across to get to the park.  It was very easy access from the parking lot to the park.  There's a restroom before the ramp should you need one before you cross the street.

If yo wish to go only for the chicken restaurants and the store outside the park, you can park in their free parking.  The parking lot attendants will guide you if you get onto the street of the restaurant and shops.

HAVE FUN!

 

Information

Pricing:  The prices and times vary so it's best to visit the Knotts Berry Farm Official Website.

Passes:  Yes.  See official website.

Website:  https://www.knotts.com/

Parking Cost:  Yes.  $15.00

 

"Camp Snoopy Is A Great Place For Small Children

 

One Of The Cutest Rides In "Camp Snoopy"

 
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Riverside International Automotive Museum or RIAM, is a non-profit corporation located in Riverside California

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[caption id="attachment_1351" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Riverside International Automotive Museum[/caption]

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HISTORY

The Riverside International Automotive Museum or RIAM was founded in 2006 as a non-profit corporation by Ray and Doug Magnon.  They are a father and son who love racing, which led to their collecting automobiles.  They began their collection with the Maseratis which has a rich racing tradition in Europe.  The son, Doug is the president of the Riverside International Automotive Museum.

Their facility was built in 2006.  It's a 20,000-square-foot building to house and maintain their collection which continues to grow.  In December 2007 they hired Bruce Ward as the director and opened the museum to the public.

Along with the cars, Doug has many types of Maserati memorabilia that includes slot racing cars, paperweights, brochures and key-rings. There are similar displays of memorabilia from the Riverside Raceway.   There is no admission charge to enter the Riverside International Automotive Museum but a donation is suggested of at least $5.00.

 

 

Our Experience At The Riverside International Automotive Museum

We know the city of Riverside, California well, but we had a difficult time finding the museum it.  It may have been our navigation system that steered us wrong, so I won't attribute that to the museum.  However, when we found it, it was in a business park set in a lovely area of greenery and hills.  I was surprised when we entered the museum to find so few cars.  We've been to many car museums and found this one to be lacking for variety.  I didn't think to count the amount of cars but looking back maybe there were about 35 to 40.  I saw one Ford with the rest were Maserati's and Ferrari's.

We usually take about 20 minutes to an hour walking through car museums, but this visit only took us about ten minutes.  Although it says only a donation is suggested, we went on a Wednesday, which is their free day, but were told that other days there is a charge.

 

Riverside International Automotive Museum Information

Address:   815 Marlborough Ave, Suite 200, Riverside, California, 92501

Phone:  (951) 369-6966

Kids Can Attend:  Yes

Cost:  Suggested donation of $5.

Hours: The museum is usually open from Tuesday to Saturday each week –

check the museum’s website for details.

Parking:  The museum is in a business park and there is plenty of parking.


Walking: The museum is on the first floor.  Easy to walk through.

 

Review For Heritage Park Victorian Village San Diego California

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[caption id="attachment_1313" align="aligncenter" width="486"] Review For Heritage Park Victorian Village San Diego California[/caption]

My review For Heritage Park Victorian Village in San Diego, California is a bit different than my other reviews. This is because I visited the park vicariously through my husband.  He was in San Diego and had some extra time, so he visited the park and called me on the phone.  He suggested we visit the park together because the houses were so beautiful.  I've included 3 of the 6 Victorian homes in the park.  They also have the first Synagogue in San Diego.  My husband took the photos from his phone and sent them to me so I used them for the slide slow.

He actually walked the grounds, giving me a report.  It's sounds like a great place but we won't have time to go together for awhile, so this review for Heritage Park Victorian Village will have to do for now.  The down side which makes me not want to rush into visiting the park is that the houses are for viewing only.  This makes the park a great disappointment to me.  However, walking the grounds within the Romantic Victorian setting is like experiencing an old fashioned stroll down the street during that time period.  At least that's the impression I get.

According to my husband it was an easy walk around the grounds. So if you have walking problems or someone in your group does, you shouldn't face difficult problems. You're welcome to bring your own food and have a picnic if you wish.  I give this park a 5 out of 5 for walking ease, but a 3 out of 5 for disappointment because of the inability to view the inside of the homes.  There is plenty of parking.

 

About Heritage Park Victorian Village

The park began when the County of San Diego, along with the Save Our Heritage Organization, moved the historic Victorian Era homes and Synagogue to about eight acres of parkland in the Old Town area.  It's located in the southeast corner of Old Town, Heritage Park.  There is also a tea house on the grounds.

 

Heritage Park Victorian Village Information

Location: Old Town (4 Miles North of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: 9AM – 5PM

Tours: Guided Tours take place at 11AM and 3PM and last about 30 – 45 minutes. A $2 donation is suggested.

Address:  2454 Heritage Park Row in San Diego, CA 92110.

 

 

Heritage Park Victorian Village San Diego California

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My Maltese Dog Sammy Is A Great Little Pet and Friend

[caption id="attachment_1245" align="alignleft" width="235"] Sammy, A Great Little Pet![/caption]

If you're looking for a pet that is calm, happy and wants to stay close by you, Maltese dogs are the best!   They don't make good watch dogs at only 8 pounds or less, and they don't bark a lot to warn against any trouble, but they "big" personalities make up for the small size.

Sammy is 6 years old, but he looks like a puppy.  This is him when we brought him home from the Kennel.  The video is what he looks like now.  He has hair rather than fur which makes him hyper-allergenic.   And he doesn't shed.  As I've said, he doesn't bark much.  Hardly ever.  He only make noise when he wants something.  His favorite thing to do is run, especially when we chase him.  We chase him around the furniture in a circle and he keeps us from catching him.  He could go on forever so we have to stop the game.

 

Why Sammy Is A Great Little Pet For Retired People

All of the reasons I've mentions so far make him a good pet.  But he's also perfect if you like having a little furry friend close by.  He's velvety soft and likes to sit at our feet.   However, he has times where he like to sit on our laps.  He loves everyone and especially loves our grandchildren.  He also loves getting compliments.  His tail wags with the words, "you're so cute."  He expects compliments on a regular basis when we take him for walks.  Lately he hasn't gotten too many due to the heat and less people out, but he's patient.  He's a patient little dog, so he can wait for the Fall to arrive.

He travels well, but we've never gone on longs trips with him.  He can get car sick, so we leave him with our daughter and  it's good a fun time for everyone.   I don't know about other Maltese dogs, but when he walks he skips.  People stop us to remark about his unique walking habits as well as his habit of spinning.  He spins like a top when it's time to do his duty.   When there are people around him they find his little habits a bit strange, but no matter what, Sammy is a great little pet for us.  We love him!

Visit my Getting a Pet page which is about how we care for him and what to look for when you decide to get a pet.

 

 

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Hemet California's Echo Hills Golf Club Review

[caption id="attachment_1171" align="alignleft" width="300"] Echo Hills Golf Club Entrance[/caption]

The 9-hole Echo Hills Golf Club in Hemet, California renovation is now complete.  It was closed for over two years.  It opened around March of this year so we visited and took a few couple of photos.  It's actually quite beautiful!  And it's my kind of course.  I don't like the 18-hole courses--they're too long for me!  I actually don't golf.  However, when I go with my husband to the 7 Hills course I get somewhat bored. But that's just me.

The Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District did the renovation after purchasing it in pretty poor condition.  The former owner had closed it down in the summer of 2010 because of losing money due to the high cost of water that made the course unprofitable.

 

Echo Hills Golf Club History

The 9-hole course is public.  It originally opened in 1959 and was  designed by Ed Dover.  It measures 2229 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 92 and a 29.2 USGA rating.  You'll find 3 sets of tees for different skill levels.  This is a great course for beginners or people who love to play the game but either have little time or don't want to golf for 4 hours.

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Golf course details

• Holes: 9


• Public


• Open year round


• Open to guests


• Yes to Tee times

Facilities

• Pro in house: No


• Driving range: Yes


• Rental clubs: Yes


• Rental carts: Yes

Green fees price ranges

• Week days: $15 - $22


• Weekends: $15 - $22

Course policies

• Metal spikes not allowed


• Check for Dress

Course policies

Contact Information

Address:
545 E Thornton Ave
Hemet, California 92543
Riverside County

Phone: (909) 652-2203
Fax: (951) 925-7339

 

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Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles, California Slideshow

 

The Heritage Square Museum is an amazing place to visit on a Sunday afternoon.  It's a peaceful place that takes you back to the end of the 19th century. This was a time when California was a new state and Los Angeles, which was once a cow town, was being formed into the large and diverse city it's developed into today.  It's continually expanding so we make regular visits every few years.  If you love turn of the century homes from the Victorian era, you'll this museum.  It's a visual monument of the settlement and development of Southern California during its first 100 years of statehood.

This is a great place for learning about how people lived at that time--especially for children and teens. Although it's a great activity for grandparents and their grandchildren to share, some very small children get bored.

The California Heritage Square museum offers exceptional examples of architecture from the time with eight historic structures that were moved to the property at the museum.  Besides the homes, there's a church, a depot and a Colonial Drug store filled with authentic items that were donated by a family who owned the store contents. They were left to them by a relative who owned such a store.  None of the products are sold, it's completely for viewing.

Heritage Square museum isn't open for much of the week.  It's open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and some holidays.  See below for more information.

 

Heritage Square Museum For Elderly Visitors

For those who are elderly or have difficulty walking, this is a good place to visit.  The square is mostly grass with a gravel road that makes it easy for walking.  The tours are great, but you can also walk the grounds on your own. Not all buildings are accessible without the tour but some are. There is some climbing of stairs within the homes, but you don't have to climb to the second floors.  There are photos and books in the Heritage Square Museum Gift Shop for reference if you miss that part of your tour.

You can visit some of the homes alone as well. If you need to walk slow and rest, go early so that you can take your time and make a day of learning about the different homes and about the history and names of each by perusing the books in the gift shop. I noticed a few of the visitors who utilized canes or walkers were seated on the porch of some of the largest homes at the front of the square. So there are places to rest if necessary and be cool in the shade.

I encourage you to visit the The Heritage Square Museum when it's cool.  The first time I visited was at the end of June and it was very hot.  We ended up leaving a little sooner than we planned just to get out of the heat, but as I said, there are cool places to rest.

SEE MY PHOTO SLIDESHOW OF SOME OF THE BUILDINGS BELOW.

 



  

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[caption id="attachment_956" align="alignleft" width="300"] Maag House Of Orange County[/caption]

We've visited the Heritage Museum Of Orange County twice in the last 3 years, both times on my birthday.  We returned recently mainly to see if they had completed work on the Maag House built in 1800 which is a part of the museum.  It's been under construction for some time, but on this day it appeared to be opened.

The front of the home appeared closed with a padlock on the door handle, but the side readily welcomed us with a sign to step up onto the porch.  High on the outer wall facing us was an attractive grouping of old photos in pretty frames and tour phones just underneath them.  Like a child I rushed up the porch in my sandals and found myself tripping into the wall with my feet twisted into three large pipes vertically placed (yes, I should have worn tennis shoes).

The Heritage Museum of Orange County was closing as we had arrived a bit late.  So I decided to just leave and notify them of the problem later.  I haven't been back so I wanted to begin my review with a warning to be cautious at the Maag House and proceed up the porch with caution or just take a look from a distance.  It's probably best to wait until all their work is completed.  After a few hours I was feeling better thankfully, but the potential danger was there.

 

The Heritage Museum of Orange County

[caption id="attachment_961" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The Parlor Of The Heritage Museum of Orange County[/caption]

 The Heritage Museum Of Orange County Is Used As An Example To Educate The Local Children About The Victorian Era

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[caption id="attachment_965" align="alignleft" width="300"] Heritage Museum Of Orange County[/caption]

Our visit of the Heritage Museum of Orange County was a positive experience when we visited a couple of years ago.  It's a beautiful home with the colors of the Victorian era as you can see in the photo above of the parlor or music room.  It's filled with unique decorations such as the large butterfly and moths that quickly caught my attention.

At the time we went it was free so we had the guided tour and then we were able to look around the house on our own with a well-planned personal tour booklet we were given.  I've included the current costs below.

The home was designed and built by Hiram Clay Kellogg.  He was the first engineer of Santa Ana and Orange County.  The house was moved to it's current address on Harvard street (see address below) from another location in the area in 1980 to avoid a scheduled demolition.  Until then it served the family into the 1950's.

[caption id="attachment_975" align="alignright" width="233"] Stairway - Heritage Museum of Orange County[/caption]

Mr. Kellogg's first wife died following the birth of their only child.  He remarried and had four more children, five in all.  While living in the home, he designed the towns of Elsinore and Corona and designed the Pacific Electric Railway connecting the cities of San Bernardino, Riverside and Colton.

The most interesting part of the home once inside, is the the fact that he developed an interest in ship design during his sailings to  Hawaii.  The large structure in the center of the elliptical staircase is a ship's mast.  However interesting, the stairs are not easy to climb for anyone with walking problems and for parents with small children. The landing halfway up the stairs has views of the the vestibule and the dining room but it's dangerous.  This is because it's designed like a ship's bridge and the railing or banister is short, making it easy for unattended children to fall over the side.  So if you have small children, hold onto their hands throughout the tour and especially if you're on your own without a guide. Also the house is 3 stories, but only the first and second floors are available for viewing.

The grounds also provide nature trails, a rose garden, citrus groves, the Blacksmith Shop, and a Gift House as well as the Maag House. It's a very peaceful environment with benches for sitting and resting.

For visiting purposes I rate the Heritage Museum and the grounds with 4 stars out of 5 because the stairs can be difficult for some people to use and the building issues of the Maag house. Other than that I loved the house and I'm impressed with the way it's been carefully preserved. The parking lot leads to the grounds and houses, however it's some distance and there is no way to let out person's with disabilities or walking difficulties in front of or near the main house.

 

Heritage Museum of Orange County Information

Please call before visiting as prices and hours can change.

Hours:

Friday: 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m
Sunday: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Or Call For Groups of 10 or more for appointment only tours.

Weddings available.  Call for information.

Prices and Amenities:

Adults: $5
Seniors/Children: $4
Free parking
Free use of grounds for individuals and families during public hours
AAA/Access Member Discounts

 

Special for Santa Ana Residents Only:

Free Admission & Tour on first Sunday of every month.
Address:
3101 West Harvard Street
Santa Ana, CA 92704

Phone:
714-540-0404

Parking

There is a convenient parking lot with plenty of parking. The parking lot leads to the buildings.













 

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[caption id="attachment_947" align="alignleft" width="275"] Hemet California Western Science Center[/caption]

We had the pleasure of being one of the first families to visit the Hemet California Western Science Center Museum.   We went with two of our children and their children so we had five grandchildren from ages 1 to 11 at that time.   We spent a longer time than expected because much of the museum is geared toward giving children a fun experience with science.  There were many "hands on" displays, all very unique.  They kept the children interested for over an hour and the adults as well.

I'll continue with my Hemet California Western Science Center review as soon as I can gather some of our photos from inside the museum. In the meantime you can view my slideshow of photos my husband and I took to show how attractive the museum is from the outside. It's fairly new as museums go.

Hemet California Western Science Center

 

 

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Sunday Lunch Specials In Our Local Area Lead To Our
El Patron Mexican Grill and Cantina Review

[caption id="attachment_824" align="alignleft" width="281"] El Patron Mexican Grill and Cantina Review[/caption]

My husband and I have found only two Mexican Restaurants that we love for regular dining and in our travels throughout Southern California.  I'll get my reviews out for those later.  However we found a jewel of a Mexican restaurant by accident in our own backyard of Hemet, California.  We've been living here for a few years while we decide where we really want to live for the rest of our retirement.   It's been great here but we always have to go out of town for Mexican food.  NOT ANY MORE!

After visiting the Western Science Center Museum in the Diamond Valley Lake area we traveled a short distance East and noticed the El Patron Mexican Grill  and Cantina and thought we'd give it a try.  Our experience led to this unexpected El Patron Mexican Grill and Cantina.

We ordered once we sat down and not long after our waitress brought our food.  Great service is important, but the food is the real test of a great food establishment, so we said a quick prayer (we do this before we eat--not because we were afraid), took a deep breath and dug into the food.

I felt like food critics because we've been disappointed so many times in Mexican restaurants.  But Oh My Goodness!  The food was absolutely delicious! My husband ordered two enchiladas from the lunch special menu and I ordered two lunch special tacos.

What really surprised me was that the beans and rice tasted just like my grandma's from when I was a child.  I thought I would never have that taste again!  She never passed down her recipes so I'm clueless about what she did.  Now I can just go down to the East side of town and taste her food all over again!

My grandparents on my mother's side were from Spain. My grandfather was a minister who settled in American as a pastor with his young wife, and at that time, two small children in Orange County, California.  Their church was in a small Hispanic community that influenced my grandmother's cooking from Spanish to Mexican.  So I was used to the mild Mexican food dishes of the people in that area, rather than the hot Sonora style food.  By chance my husband has the same taste that I do, so this has been our dilemma.  Now we have three Mexican restaurants that all have great food, but it all varies in taste.

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[caption id="attachment_853" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Left Side View of El Patron Mexican Grill and Cantina[/caption]
 

Now, Back To My El Patron Restaurant Review...

The prices were very reasonable for the quality of food and the service, as I said, was consistently good throughout our meal as well as afterward when it came time to receive our check and pay.  Our hostess and waitress were very friendly and caring.  The restaurant itself was very clean and comfortable with televisions on the wall playing different sports programming.

If you're ever in the Hemet, California area, I highly recommend this restaurant, especially if you're just passing through in a hurry.   I give this establishment 5 stars out of 5.  How about you?  If you visit, please rate it below.  Thanks!  We hope our El Patron Mexican Grill and Cantina Review is helpful!
 
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El Patron Mexican Grill and Cantina Information:

Address:  Address: 41525 California 74, Hemet, CA 92544
Phone Number:  (951) 652-4545
Average Prices:  Range is to approximately $14.00
Family or Business:  Casual atmosphere serves family or business clientele



 

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Your Transition To Retirement Can Be Difficult Without The Desire For Change

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[caption id="attachment_317" align="alignleft" width="300"] Transition To Retirement[/caption]

Change doesn't come easy for everyone and that includes our transition to retirement living.  If you feel adverse to changes in your life then retirement could be a difficult transition.  It doesn't make you wrong, foolish or stubborn.  It just means that the routine you've lived by for many years and the activities you've enjoyed may have to meet with some change.  It's just another life challenge.  And, yes, meeting life challenges makes us better people, but how do you make yourself like the changes retirement brings when you're not happy with them?

The way I've found over the years to make changes and receive great benefits from them is to keep my emotions out of the equation of acceptance, enjoyment and flexibility.  Emotions change like the wind, and can negatively cause us to be disappointed with our current conditions. We might feel good about something one day and then feel badly about it the next.  This type of emotional uphevel taints the reality or truth of what we have or have to work with to be happy and at peace.

Everyone should have a means of overriding negative emotions that can steal our ability to build a new life and live it successfully.  It's our emotions that feed our minds with doubt and fear, leading to negative thinking and unstable behavior.  Before one knows it, they're paralyzed to move forward and utilize all the talents and abilities they possess to live productively.

It's also the emotions which keep the heart from feeling the joy retirement can bring and the excitement of rebuilding.   I realize that For some, there is no change or rebuilding as far as retirement is concerned. People who own their own businesses for example or who have been independently wealthy all or most of the lives will continue in the same way as is normal for them, but there are still changes to face that come with getting older.  Transition to retirement for anyone can mean children leaving home and beginning new lives, relationships taking a new turn as spouses spend more time with one another, needing long-term medical care, friendships becoming more long-distance or downsizing one's living accommodations.

 

Transition To Retirement With The Best Qualities

 Taking a little time each day to be at peace will keep your emotions from dominating your mind and heart.  Your intellect will be free to be creative, while your heart will be free to be lead in the best direction with guidance for making the right decisions and knowing who to trust.  This doesn't mean you should be void of emotion, it just means that you should practice using only your best emotions.  Anger, frustration, bitterness, jealousy, hatred, forgiveness and other negative emotions will only make you feel old and selfish, instead of loving and kind.

Taking time to sit in a peaceful spot of your home, patio or even a closet, just to let your emotions be still so that you can take control over your thoughts, allowing only those which are positive to take over your mind about what you want to be and what you have at the moment. These short sessions you spend alone will help you to create positive changes and habits that will help you adjust to change in a positive manner for the rest of your life.

When you transition to retirement living, one of the highlights is having the time to be more introspective about who you are and how you can best treat others, especially your family members.  The more generous you are with your understanding, kindness and compassion, the younger you'll feel and the more vibrant your life will be for others.  These are the productive emotions that will make your retirement years truly golden.

 

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Review Of The Marston House Museum In San Diego California

[caption id="attachment_721" align="aligncenter" width="500"] George Marston House Museum In San Diego, CA[/caption]

It was a beautiful morning when we left our city of Hemet, California on our road trip to San Diego.  Still early in the morning the traffic was light due to the 4th of July parade and events scheduled for later in the day and evening.  The weather was cool and breezy with a lush view of palms and shrubs on both sides of the freeway in many areas.  We arrived early at our destination just outside Balboa to one of San Diego's most famous Historical areas where the Marston House Museum, one of California's finest examples of the Arts and Crafts Movement, is located.

The outside of the home isn't quite the typical look of the Art's and Crafts architecture, but once we entered, the style was clearly present with a simple elegance.  Our guide pointed out the rare Irving Gill furniture interspersed throughout the home which was a nice fit with the mission furniture in the first floor living area.

The property was designed and built by the Internationally famous architects William Sterling Hebbard and Irving Gill in 1905 for George W. Marston and his wife, Anna Gunn Marston.  George Marston was a prominent civic leader in the areas of historic preservation, conservation and history, even though he was very low-key about his constant work and philanthropy.

I've included my photos of some of the property below.  It's beautiful with five acres of blooming flowers, lovely gardens surrounding the property and lush rolling lawns.  The house is 8,500 square-feet, 3 stories high.  However the 3rd story is not available for viewing.  Marston House became a house museum in 1987 after the Marston family gifted it to the City of San Diego for the enjoyment of the public.  The tall trees surrounding the property are pine, eucalyptus and oak.

 

My Recommendation:

I highly recommend a visit if you're in the Southern California area.  It's well worth the time and you'll thoroughly enjoy the 45 minute tour.  The guides are very knowledgeable and make the time spent an adventure. The tour is inexpensive. It's $10.00 for adults, $7.00 for 65 and older and students with ID, $4.00 for children and free for children 5 and under.

Parking: No designated parking. Drop off passengers at the carriage house, then find a spot on the street to park.
 
Visiting Hours: Hours Can Change, it's best to call. See below.
 
Walking: If you have problems walking, the layout of the grounds are easy to walk through. However, there are random steps because of different levels in the gardens. There is no ramp for wheelchairs into the home so call ahead about information on this. There are three levels within the house, but only two levels are shown on the tour. The stairs are wide and the steps short, making it easy to climb the stairs.


 

Views Of The Marston House Museum

[caption id="attachment_677" align="alignnone" width="196"] Marston House Back View[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_689" align="aligncenter" width="204"] Side Garden[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_690" align="aligncenter" width="197"] Front Of Property[/caption]

Call Marston House Museum For Information
3525 Seventh Avenue in Balboa Park
Phone (619) 297-9327

  

Our First Retirement Road Trip To San Diego On July 4th

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[caption id="attachment_657" align="alignleft" width="416"] Retirement Road Trip[/caption]

I'll be taking time off today for a 4th of July retirement road trip to San Diego California, a popular beach city in Southern California.  This will be our first retirement road trip there.  We've been traveling mostly for family visits or quick trips, so this will be a trip that will be travel only.  I'll be taking some photos to share here because it's a very scenic area.

San Diego is a large city and absolutely beautiful.  It's filled with special events, cultural activities and recreation for all ages.  Our family has visited San Diego mostly for it's historic museums and zoo.  My parents took my siblings and I to the San Diego zoo when I was only eight or nine years old.  Our children and grandchild have great enthusiasm for the museums.  It's always a great experience for them!  And the cool ocean breezes adds much to the ambiance of each visit.

The museums offer a diverse variety of interests and it usually takes some time to visit each one.  We have made many trips to visit one museum at a time.  Our favorites are the Natural History Museum, the historical aircraft museum and the classic car museum.  We've seen them all more than once.

Although most of San Diego's privately-owned major attractions are well-known around the world, many diverse and exciting recreational opportunities are also available through programs at City parks and lakes.  One place of interest is the legendary Hotel del Coronado.  It's spectacular!  Located on 28 oceanfront acres on Coronado Island, it was built in 1888 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.  It's truly an American treasure! The Del's visionary founders, Elisha Babcock and H.L. Story, dreamed of building a seaside resort that would be "the talk of the Western world" and they truly succeeded.  The photo shown is Coronado at night.

I'll post more about our retirement road trip to San Diego in a couple of days with photos....

HAPPY 4TH!

My Bankruptcy and Retirement Series Will Begin Tomorrow!

[caption id="attachment_591" align="alignleft" width="235"] My Bankruptcy and Retirement Series[/caption]

I want to make a quick announcement about my bankruptcy and retirement series.  While it may cover information that you already have about the mechanics of bankruptcy, I'll also include some wisdom for you in regards to retirement living that may be helpful.

I actually wrote this series some time ago and thought it would fit well on this site.  It's important to know the pros and cons, but it's also important to make the right decision for you.  Some people might feel ashamed while others can feel a sense of relief.  It's important to understand your feelings about the subject before plunging into it to stop paying your bills.  You may be sorry in the future.

My bankruptcy and retirement series will discuss the importance of interviewing a few bankruptcy lawyers instead of signing up with the first one you visit.  It's also important not to be pressured into using a lawyer just because they were recommend.  I'll talk more on this subject in the series for finding a lawyer that is honest and who will give you help to rebuild or reinvent yourself if needed.

If money problems are taking away from the quality of your life, I hope I can offer you information that can help you make a quality decision about what to do and not do.  There are various types of bankruptcy, but there are also alternatives.   I know there's lots of bankruptcy information on the Internet, but I hope my bankruptcy and retirement Series will also give you unique information as well.

Go to my Bankruptcy and Retirement Series.
 

 

 

Living The Simple Retired Lifestyle and Loving It!

[caption id="attachment_545" align="alignleft" width="253"] Simple Retirement Lifestyle[/caption]

The more I write about being retired, the more I realize how much I love this time of my life!  Once my birthday was over yesterday, I was very thankful to be alive and live the quality of life I desire.  To be remembered by my children and hear the sounds of my grandchildren's voices singing happy birthday to me is really the best part of my life, aside from my belief in God and thankfulness for my blessings.

We love living a simple retired lifestyle, but we've always lived a simple life.  Not being prepared as financially ready as we wanted to be by retiring early, wasn't devastating to us.  No matter how much money we've made, we've always lived according to a certain standard that was fulfilling for us. However other people may find living a simpler life than they're used to a negative reflection on their progression of lifestyle.

Also many people grow up living a specific lifestyle they feel comfortable with so they feel uncomfortable thinking about living below their standard of living.  They feel the need to  maintain the way they've lived for all or most of their lives in order to feel happy.  While this is understandable, I just wanted to write a few words about having to live a simple retired lifestyle after spending a lifetime of living without concern of money to maintain a desired lifestyle.

 

Simple Retired Lifestyle vs Higher Income Lifestyle

For those of you who face a lower standard of living and see it as losing the quality of your life, I'd like to help you see yourself as much greater than the worth of your lifestyle.  Rather than being bitter or angry, you can look at the potential of rebuilding your assets and enjoying it at the same time.  It's exciting to have new goals that you know from within you can accomplish--even if it's going to take some work and some time.

It's also helpful to examine how you've come to view your life and your lifestyle.  Maybe living a simple retired lifestyle is something you really want, but it doesn't fit with your family or friends lifestyle and how they see you.  However, your joy and happiness are worth more than the opinions of people who can only see you as they knew you before. You probably won't want to walk away from these people, but you can train them to understand who you are from the inside and help them feel comfortable with your life-changes.

Keep your joy, don't complain and share your new experiences with others in a manner of achievement and success rather than trying to keep up appearances.  If these people are really close to you, then they'll change along with you to accept your new life and help you rather than making you feel badly.  For those of you who are disappointed in your new life, don't let others make you feel like a failure because you're not!  Train them to encourage, uplift and offer you any help they may be able to give you to enjoy your simple retired lifestyle.

 

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My Second Birthday Retired Reflects Two Years Of Great Living!

[caption id="attachment_520" align="alignleft" width="317"] My Second Birthday Retired[/caption]

I'm making a short post to say that my second birthday retired has been a great day already!  Everyday has been extra special since we retired so it's hard to center upon this one day.  Being retired is like having a birthday everyday, but we'll go out of town and do something different.

I promised myself when I was in my twenties that I would never let age bother me and it hasn't for the most part.  Sometimes I catch myself thinking that if I could go back in time with what I know now I'd be a better parent or I would do some things differently, but that's all wasted thinking!  So I just move on and let the past go.  It doesn't exist any longer anyway.

However, what does exist is the present moment, so I'll enjoy every moment of my birthday, and take a little time to ponder that I'm actually 66 years old.  It doesn't seem like it, but it's true!  Happy birthday to me!  And thank you family for the visit and special cake (not the one in the photo)!

Announcement For My Fitness Book Review

[caption id="attachment_448" align="alignleft" width="278"] Fitness Book Review[/caption]

I wanted to announce my fitness book review for Old School New Body.written by Steve and Becky Holman.  It's a clever title because it clearly explains what the book is about.  It's an accumulation of all the "old school" fitness programs that worked, all rolled into one and blended to create a new series of exercises. Utilized only 90 minutes a week, they give absolutely amazing results.

This is a book that has taken my husband and I to a new level of fitness.  Now that we're retired, we needed an extra boost to get back into shape after losing our home gym when we moved to an apartment.

Old School New Body proves that one doesn't have to spend a fortune and huge amounts of time in a gym to get great results.  You can be in the privacy of your own home working out for very little time to get the kind of results you've always wanted.

My Book review for Old School New Body is now complete.  Please go to my review section to find out how it's helping my husband and I make amazing progress in our fitness and eating habits now that we're retired.  We were looking for a plan or program that would help us organize our free time for exercise and better understand nutrition for good health.  This product has met all of our goals and more.   ------> Go to my fitness book review.

Grandchildren Visit Days Are As Good As You Make Them!

Today I've set aside the day for spending time with 3 of my grandchildren.  They're all boys as you can see in the photo taken two weeks ago at my 5 year old grandson's birthday party.  Each of them is very different, yet they're all wonderful!  However they're still boys and they're still children--meaning that they have lots of energy and a need for much activity when they're not reading or playing games.

I've found that it's much easier to be a grandparent when it comes to controlling children than when I was a parent.  I think it's probably because I'm sure of what I'm doing now that I'm older.  With my grandchildren I'm able to keep my personality out of whatever discipline I have to administer which is very rare.

If you're a grandparent and you dread having them visit because it's hard to control them, it's really not that difficult if you get to know them better and let them get to know you.  Sometimes you have to get to know children enough for them to have positive feelings about you.  Then they won't want to make you feel badly about their poor behavior.  And as I've learned, there are ways to get children to behave without spanking--in fact it makes one more creative.

I learned with my first grandchild something that has worked with all 7 others when they were very small.  It came in handy, especially when two siblings were fighting or they got mad a me for some reason.  I could make them quickly switch from being very unhappy to laughing in less than a minute.  I would simply say that I was sorry for how they felt and hugged them.  Then I'd say that I know that deep down they're really happy.  I'd coax them into laughing and after than they'd be back to a happy mood.  Actually, I found that not spanking children makes it easier to understand why they're upset and gives the adult more understanding about their feelings.

Another thing you can do if you have time to prepare ahead is to arrange activities for each child according to personality.  When my oldest daughter had her three little one's, my husband and I took each child out separately for a special day arranged according to their personality and what they liked to do.  Every trip we took was a great time and we never had a problem--especially with just one child.

When my grandchildren arrive later today, my husband is taking the two older boys out for a game of golf while the 5 year old and I read together, talk about school (he'll be starting kindergarten in the fall), play or watch a movie.  Then we'll all have lunch when the others return.  We do the best we can to make grandchildren visit days special because looking back at the time I spent with two of my grandparents was very special.   If you're a grandparent, it's never too late to make your grandchildren visit days memorable so that they give your grandchildren times they'll never forget.  And they'll never forget you!

 

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Budgeting For Travel, Special Events and Holidays

While I realize that there is tons of information about budgeting for retirement, I wanted to help those people who want to travel but just don't believe they have the money to save.  I believe in the old trite expression, "if there's a will there's a way!"  YOU CAN DO IT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO!

[caption id="attachment_356" align="alignleft" width="300"] Budgeting For Travel[/caption]

I've just started a series about travel that can help you organize a plan for traveling right now or budgeting for a trip in the future.  My site is only a few days old as of this writing, so I decided to work on my travel information first since it's summer.  However the information can be used all year round.

If you haven't been a constant traveler you'll also learn about the various means of travel and how each can best fit with your travel plans while saving money at the same time.  What I like about the series is that is will help you break down what type of vacation you wish to take, how you'll accomplish it and how much it will cost so that you can either save for it or take it right now!  So visit my travel section and watch for my new additions.

Now, getting back to my travel budget.  I've included it below.  Budgets are all pretty much the same, however, it's just a matter of including different areas for saving money after you've listed all of your monthly expenses.   The main purpose of a budget is to take control of your money and in so doing, you will be able to take control of many aspects of your life.  In this case budgeting for travel will empower you to have the ability to go places as an aspect of life enjoyment.

We should desire to be in control of our money to make it what we want it to be, but we just leave our money to chance.  Not very smart of us, is it?  That's why we need a financial budget to help us meet our goals and take control of our money.

 

Budgeting For Travel In Agreement

Before you begin your budget, first go to my section on travel.  My information will help you decide where you want to go and how much it will cost you.  Then you'll be ready to create your budget.  If you have a spouse, you should make this financial budget together. Sit down and figure out what your joint financial goals are for traveling.  Then plan your financial route to get to that goal. Every journey begins with one step, and the first step to attaining your goals is to make a realistic budget that both of you can live with while "budgeting for travel."

A budget should never be a financial starvation diet. That won’t work for the long haul. Make reasonable allocations for food, clothing, shelter, utilities and insurance and set aside a reasonable amount for entertainment now.  Savings should always come first before any spending.  If you're a Christian, financial giving will come first.

Even a small amount saved will help you reach your long term and short term financial goals.   I'll be providing you with budget information shortly in my travel section so you can watch for that in the coming days if you need extra help.  You can also find many budget forms on the internet. Just use any search engine you choose and type in "free budget forms."  Print one out and work on it with your spouse. Both of you will need to be happy with the final result and feel like your financial budget as well as your budgeting for travel is something you can stick to.

So as you can see, budgeting is no mystery and you've probably budgeted most of your life.  Budgeting for travel is just a facet of taking control over your money to get what you want.

 

 

Are You Spiritually Retirement Ready?  If Not, It's Time To Look Within!

[caption id="attachment_318" align="alignleft" width="300"] Spiritually Retirement Ready[/caption]

In this post I want to share the most important part of my retirement.   Even though my husband and I weren't financially ready to retire as far as meeting the long-terms goals we had set, we were both spiritually retirement ready.

While I don't intent to impose my Christian beliefs on anyone since no one can be forced to believe in anything that stems from the heart, I want to at least share the side of our retirement that helped us to rebuild during a difficult time of transition.   We had absolutely no short-term goals for retirement except for plans to travel when we had more time.

Here are two quotes which represent two relevant points of view about retirement that are both important to retirement planning, but I want to focus upon the second quote by Betty Sullivan.

 

On the subject of being financially retirement ready. 

• George Foreman:  The question isn't at what age I want to retire, it's at what income.

On the subject of being spiritually retirement ready:

• Betty Sullivan:  There is a whole new kind of life ahead, full of experiences just waiting to happen. Some call it "retirement." I call it bliss.

 

Looking Within For Becoming Spiritually Retirement Ready

Becoming spiritually retirement ready means that you're looking within first when evaluating your retirement experience, rather than allowing the simple joys of retirement become obscured by any thoughts of money. If you base every experience you have upon how much money you have or don't have, then you're controlled by money rather than you being the one in control.

Betty Sullivan expresses retirement exactly how I see it.  It's a great blessing that I want to embrace instead of tainting it with negative thinking that won't make a difference in any way for positive circumstances to occur.

To get the most of this part of your life, you have to be able to separate yourself and your spiritual experiences from money, whether you have a lot of a little.   You may believe that you're only as good as how much money you have, but that only diminishes your true worth.  You should see yourself as a person who is priceless.  It's hard to change belief systems, but if you want to enjoy the free time you have and the beauty around you, then you have to spend some time separated from money thoughts.

When you take the time to appreciate simple things like a rose or trying to identify the shape of a cloud without one thought about your money situation, you're actually clearing your mind for productive thinking that will bring you a greater outlook on life and about yourself.

I'll be speaking more on this subject in future posts so I hope you sign up for my RSS.

 

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Before You Plan On Retiring With A Pet, Think Carefully First!

[caption id="attachment_112" align="alignleft" width="300"] Retiring With A Pet[/caption]

Two of my favorite pets were bunnies.  One white for my daughter and the other one black for me.  I took special care of them everyday and then they had babies. Lots and lots of babies! That was a sad experience! It's hard to tell a bunny's sex so we thought that we had two boys.  Needless to say we woke one morning to babies bunnies everywhere just barely breathing.  We got on the Internet and learned how to keep them warm and revive them, but it was too late.  One by one each baby bunny died.

That experience brings to mind other eventful experiences with pets.  Such as taking the word of the person selling dogs that the animal we wanted had the qualities we were looking for such as a pet that doesn't shed, when in reality it sheds as a part of the breed it was.  I also think about my mother and my husband's mother both receiving dogs as presents after their husbands died.  Both women kept their dogs and experienced great inconvenience and resentment of their pets. Neither women knew anything about the breed of dogs they had which made their experience worse.

Having a pet doesn't have to be a nightmare and it shouldn't!  If we think about being responsible pet owners before we even get a pet, then in most cases pet ownership will be a blessing and not a curse! If you don't already have a pet and are thinking about getting one I have some important tips for you to think about first.  Many social service agencies advice that retiring with a pet is important to inner well-being and good health, but this isn't always the case.  It can also cause you great inconvenience, especially if you live in an apartment or are in poor health.

 

Using Wisdom When Retiring With A Pet

If you don't already have a pet and you're thinking of getting one, read my list below which gives advice for retiring with a pet dog or cat.  It will help you get past your emotions to a place of wisdom.

1.   Never walk into a pet store vulnerable to puppies and kittens. My husband and I did this for our last dog.  We got the most adorable puppy!  I can still see him sitting in the corner of his kennel while all the other puppies were playing and biting his tail.  He looked as if he needed a rescue, but when I held him in my arms that was it!  He was mine!  I didn't even ask what breed he was.  How stupid is that!  This is called purchasing a pet on 100% emotion.

[caption id="attachment_156" align="alignright" width="168"] My Dog Sammy[/caption]

I still have Sammy and love him, but if I had known about the Maltese breed, I wouldn't have purchased him.  His hair kept growing and never stopped. I soon realized that he needed regular grooming--which can be expensive.  We could afford it, but I'd rather spend that money on a child or someone in need rather than a grooming session for a pet.  I don't spend that kind of money on myself or my husband for grooming--we take care of ourselves.  However, we've learned how to deal with the problem.  We decided that spending money on a local groomer once every few months helps to support local business.  His groomer keeps his hair short so that in between grooming visits we bathe him and take care of minor grooming needs.

There are worse stories about buying pets on emotion, but I won't get into them. This type of purchase can only go badly for the pet. If this happens to you, please find a way to get a good home for your pet.  We have a chain of stores here called Pet Smart and every Tuesday they have a rescue and adoption program.  When adopting a pet they insure that they will find a good owner and appropriate home for the dog.  There are also rescue shelters.

2.   This tip is very simple.  If you're thinking about getting a pet go on the Internet and look up the different breeds of animals you'd like for a pet. Take into consideration where you'll be living in the future.   If you're staying with someone you have to get their permission as well for the pet.  Match the breed of the animal to your living conditions, your health and your financial ability to care for it properly.

3.   Once you decide on a specific breed of animal or a few breeds, look up their information to find out about temperament, care and expense.  If you still want a pet, you can make an educated and wise decision based upon what's best for your living conditions.

4.   Retiring with a pet isn't always easy.  Again, match your dog to where you live.  With apartments you have to walk dogs throughout the day and make sure to clean up after them.  With a home you'll have to clean up the yard and protect your pet against poison plants, dangerous tools, holes in fences and more.  If you decide upon retiring with a pet such as a cat, you won't have to take it out, but you'll have to insure that it doesn't damage your home or apartment. You'll need to purchase kitty litter and scratching posts.

5.    Decide how much money you want to pay for a pet. Do you want a full-breed pet or a mixed breed pet? Free pets usually grow into adulthood differently than what the owner claims. See the parents of the animals first.

6.    Decide if you wish to purchase a baby or a full-growth pet.  For dogs I advise a puppy if you have the time to potty-train.  Kittens are easy to train with a litter box.

7.    If you're currently in poor health, wait to get a pet until you're feeling better unless you have someone willing to care for it 24/7 while you heal.

8.    Make sure that you'll have appropriate space for your pet and all the equipment you'll need such as crates or kennels, beds, grooming equipment and so forth.

9.    If you get a dog and don't know how to train it, find a place such as your local pet shelter or dog rescue.   Large pet stores also offer this service.

10.  Only purchase your dog from a reputable dog breeder.  When you purchase from a pet store you run the risk of getting a dog in poor health or that has been inbred. The same goes for private owners

11.   Be prepared to purchase food that will keep your pet in good health.  However, you don't need to go overboard. But make sure you can properly take care of your pet!

12.  Purchase pet insurance if you have little money for pet health.  It can be devastating to lose a pet because you don't have money for health problems.  Also your local humane society offers inexpensive and quality pet health care.

13.   Retiring with a pet may not be what you really want.  So before you purchase a pet, dog or cat sit for someone else's pet first and see if it will fit in with your new phase of life.

 

Retiring With A Pet May Not Be For You!

[caption id="attachment_171" align="alignleft" width="150"] Try The Cold Blooded Kind![/caption]

Retiring with a pet can be a big responsibility so take your time and do your homework in order to make a wise choice for yourself and a considerate choice for your pet. There's no need to rush into making such an important decision that can affect the quality of your life.   If it's not feasible to get a soft and furry pet, you can always get a cold-blooded pet, a fine feathered friend or a hamster.  Or maybe a pet isn't for you.  You may instead decide to do something else to take up your time such as creating a garden, collecting different species of bugs, photography or any other activity you can enjoy.

 

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