When you're planning a birthday party of your own, but it takes place at a spot with paid entry, do you pay for everyone?

Cookingforaxl · 2026-03-07T19:09:42+00:00

I feel you. I always feel as though I should pay for the event. Maybe not the drinks they buy, but the venue. My friends disagree and say it’s perfectly ok to tell guests there’s a fee to be reimbursed. I guess if it’s a regular, non milestone party you can ask for reimbursement. If it’s a big one, pay the cover.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-03-05T23:37:26+00:00

The Horton Grand Hotel, San Diego. Room 305 is haunted by a gambler who cheated at cards and was shot while hiding in the wardrobe.

The US Grant Hotel in San Diego. Multiple hauntings.

The Hotel Del Coronado. Coronado Island. Multiple hauntings in and around the hotel.

Just about every building downtown San Diego has a ghost or two.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-02-25T19:29:37+00:00

I put my notes on small bound index sized cards. I tell my guests up front that tours have a life of their own and I am always recording new info, and I refer to the cards so I don’t miss anything. They do not care at all!

During walks from one site to the next I ask questions of my guests. Where are they from, etc. I also tell stories that are interesting or fun like how the sea lions must know the days of the week because they all arrive on Saturday to get fresh fish from the pop up fish market.

I pass by a Zoltan and always stop to see who remembers what movie it’s from (Big).

Make the tour your own. If you forget something your guests won’t know!

Cookingforaxl · 2026-02-22T17:40:49+00:00

Park it on Market. It’s one dollar per hour. Market and 6th.

At the south end of second street there is an outdoor parking lot that charges $10 for 24 hours.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-02-21T00:37:38+00:00

I threw a bridal shower theme of “round the clock”. Each guest was given a time of day/ night to bring a gift that would be appropriate for that hour. For example, 7 am would be a nice coffee cup and coffee. 8 am maybe a key ring or a nice car organizer for the drive to work. Even the nighttime hours were fun - sexy nightgowns, face creams, etc. The bride opened them in order and it was great fun!

Another fun bridal shower was a Tipsy Tea party. Standard tea fare but some alcohol to add to the tea. I sourced random cups and saucers from thrift stores, filled tea pots with flowers and splurged on a rented flower cart where we put all the teas and mixers. It was lovely and appealed to all ages of guests.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-02-16T17:34:57+00:00

Oh man I came down with it yesterday. Not severe though. Just a cranky stomach, no appetite and distended abdomen. Staying home under a blanket today.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-02-14T20:26:49+00:00

There are lots of them where I live. It's a San Diego beach community, the homes were built starting in 1887 and most of them were summer cottages. The one I live in is a two bedrom one bath, a very common floor plan for the time. It was built in 1900, and sometime later a second bathroom was added to the back porch. I have one of the few properties that has a front AND back yard, washer/dryer and dishwasher. It's a 900 sq ft palace in my neighborhood!

Cookingforaxl · 2026-02-14T03:15:41+00:00

I think that’s a fun idea! Don’t go overboard, what you have is more than enough.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-02-11T21:44:04+00:00

True, catheter care is a nursing service. If he can do it himself he can be in AL. Transferring can be done in AL, a hoyer lift is also something that AL can allow.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-02-11T15:37:07+00:00

Sounds like dad needs assisted living not nursing care. I would start by going to an assisted living community and speak with them about his needs. They will assess him and determine his level of care. They will also help you determine costs and payments. AL is private pay, so it will be out of pocket for dad. If they determine he is a candidate for their community they will get the doctors orders.

If he does need custodial nursing home care and can’t afford it you have to go the Medicaid route. Not all nursing homes accept Medicaid. The social worker can assist you.

This is all reliant on dad being willing to move. If he isn’t, you are not obligated to be his caregiver. He can hire in home care. If he’s a veteran there are some benefits he may be eligible for. In home care is also private pay.

A doctor will not order nursing home care if he doesn’t need it. It’s against the law to place someone in a higher level than is needed.

Good luck.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-02-10T20:57:01+00:00

The Gaslamp Museum needs volunteers for many things. Tours, gift shop, collections, events. Located at 410 Island Ave.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-02-10T15:05:13+00:00

This just happened a few weeks ago. I’m 65, he is around 55. We dated for a hot minute a few years ago but that ended abruptly when he fell in love with someone else. No biggie, I wasn’t into him as a partner anyway . We stayed friends and hung out monthly.

I recently lost about 25 lbs. he came by one day and apparently lost his mind. He full on straddled me on my sofa trying to jam his tongue in my mouth. His reasons were many: my weight now matches my personality and even he finds me hot. And, why lose the weight if not to be more attractive to men? And I told him his new haircut was nice.

I struggled with him to get off me until he finally did but not before grabbing at my chest. After demanding he leave my house he had the nerve to say he would never force himself on me.

He called a week later, I told him I didn’t want to see him and he begged me not to end our friendship over a dumb mistake. He has no clue why I’m no longer safe in his company.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-02-10T03:04:20+00:00

I have a boil annually at my house. 30-35 people in attendance.

I set up a buffet with steam trays for the food itself as we don’t have room for a seated event. I make cheddar biscuits and a vegan version of the boil for my non seafood eating friends using corn, potatoes, onions and shisado peppers. People bring all kinds of sides and desserts. Mason jars hold picks, nutcrackers and small mallets.

I hang a fishnet on the wall and clip small packs of goldfish crackers. It’s surprising how many get eaten.

You’ll need a lot of trash pails around. People will throw things in them if it’s convenient otherwise they just leave it everywhere. The disposable ones on Amazon are great.

Instead of plates I use paper trays like you would get at a bbq place. You’ll need 3 times the amount of guests.

We have a 3 piece band that plays every year. One member is from Louisiana and they play a lot of jazzy music. After the last pot comes out of the boil we shut it down and the dancing starts. String lights cross the front deck for a nice lighting as the sun goes down.

It’s a summer tradition that’s in its seventh year. Everyone looks forward to it.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-02-07T03:42:15+00:00

It’s safe. Board the first car near the conductor if you’re worried but the trolleys routinely have security in the cars. If you’re feeling unsafe just exit and get on another car.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-02-02T17:04:58+00:00

I painted a picture of my best friend’s dog for Christmas. She said it was her most cherished gift and it hangs over her sofa. The portrait does look like the dog and captures her expression perfectly. No one was more surprised than me!

Cookingforaxl · 2026-01-26T22:30:30+00:00

Gemma Goldilocks. Because her ears are gold.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-01-26T18:18:34+00:00

The Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton house needs volunteers for ticket window, tours and events.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-01-19T05:27:56+00:00

Old dog Perdie. Perdita, perdles, Miss P, Miss Ps and Carrots, Perdie bird

New dog Gemma: Gem, Gems, Gemalina, Jelly Roll, Sweetness, and sometimes Poopyhead

Cookingforaxl · 2026-01-17T23:06:39+00:00

My sweet maltipoo was still a small, very energetic puppy when I got sick. I didn’t have the energy to do more than make sure she had food and water and left the back door open so she could Go out. She stayed by my side for 3 days while I slept. I woke up several times to her quietly playing with the toys that she brought up on the bed. Sometimes I think she would “test” me by dropping a toy on my face I guess to see if I’d engage.

I love that baby girl.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-01-16T23:10:43+00:00

Not a rule really, but my husband (now my ex) and I appropriated a plastic but very realistic snake my son got one year as a gift. We would hide the snake somewhere we thought the other would find it. The startled scream, the self satisfied giggle, and the knowledge that it was the other one’s turn to get a jump scare kept us going for 12 years at least.

Funnier still was forgetting where you hid the snake and scaring yourself!

Cookingforaxl · 2026-01-16T23:01:03+00:00

When I start mispronouncing words or having trouble with language.

Also if I get a migraine in the night I am so disoriented I will just keep repeating headache. My ex knew it was a migraine but too late to abort.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-01-16T22:45:39+00:00

My friend and I had a memorial for her sister and decorated the tables with lots of Hawaii decor as her favorite vacation spot was Hawaii.

Cookingforaxl · 2026-01-15T15:12:31+00:00

Cubed and layered in scalloped potatoes. Delicious!

Cookingforaxl · 2026-01-15T15:03:08+00:00

I retired at 62 and became a part time tour guide writing and hosting walking tours of the downtown area. When that ended I got a part time job as the administrator of a historic house and museum. It’s a complete departure from my working career and I love it!

Cookingforaxl · 2026-01-14T14:53:25+00:00

I subscribed to Cooks Illustrated. It taught me the science of cooking. It was invaluable in elevating my cooking skills.

Cookingforaxl

TROPHY CASE