FedEx Me to my Ex

Well, I guess the up-side to spending three weeks trapped in P.O. Box HELL, plus another week recovering in rehab, is that I had plenty of time to think. (When I wasn't busy fending off bra-nappers, that is!)

And in my forced state of isolation, I reflected on all that's happened to me since becoming a Traveling Bra...and most of it's been great...but I've come to the conclusion that I am still harboring some unresolved feelings (i.e. resentment) towards my "Ex" and that nasty falling out we had almost one year ago. I sure can't travel lightly if I'm hauling that old baggage around, now can I? It's high time I get this burden off my chest! So, my next stop will be my old hometown, Chico, California where I plan to take the bull by the horns and finally set things straight between us.

As I bid a nostalgic Ta-Ta (again) to Petaluma, I was thankful that my happy little Italian chaperon chose to slip me into a sturdy, trackable, fully insured FedEx envelope. I'm not dinking around with the U.S. Postal Service anymore either! Maureen, the owner of Petaluma Mail Depot, was a real hoot (as I have found is usually true with gals of the Irish persuasion.)

However, I'm not too sure what this sign on the door was referring to...but it better not have been me! I'm telling ya, I am not in the mood to be mocked right now!!! And frankly, I'm proud of my big black beautiful bodacious doubleD voluptuousness!

OK, I'll admit, I'm just a bit nervous (i.e. crabby) about this little reunion with my "Ex"....the last one being such a bust and all. I'll keep you all abreast of this situation as it develops. Until then, dear friends and loyal supporters....carry on! And don't take any crap from anyone!

~Olga, the Traveling Bra

Rehab'n in PETALUMA/The Cat House

After enduring 3 weeks of blistering heat and ungodly conditions in "P.O. BOX HELL," I just wanted to hurry up and get the blazes outta Arizona! Not that I hold anything against the Grand Canyon State mind you, but in addition to claustrophobia and cynophobia...now, I can add thermophobia to my rack of insecurities! What's a poor bra to do?!

Luckily, my quick thinking little Italian chaperon wasted no time stuffing me into her purse (thus, avoiding any possible chance of loosing me in LOST LUGGAGE HELL) and hopping onboard the next plane bound for oh-so-cool-'n-foggy Petaluma, California. (The very place from whence I sprang nearly one year ago!)

Now all I wanna do is loosen up my straps and spend a few days rehydrating and airing things out in the rejuvenating coastal breeze ..........ahhhhhhhh..........

And while I'm back in town, I'd also like to reconnect with a few old friends...like the one who just so happens to live in this cute little house......recognize it?It's the infamous Petaluma "Cat House" where several years ago, hundreds of cats were found living (or not) inside the premises! The "Crazy Cat Lady" bought the house exclusively for her cats - who proceeded live, die, pee, poop, and procreate like animals inside for 5 years before authorities discovered there was "a problem." (All the nauseating details can be found here.)

Crazy Cat Lady said, "It started with just 2 cats and all of a sudden there were 196! I know this sounds bizarre, but I am a rational person." Yeah, maybe compared to "Crazy Rat Guy!!!"...another interesting resident of my beloved P-town. Geez, if only they had hooked up together....maybe they could have worked out some sort of an arrangement. So much for appetizers. Well, here I am about to enjoy a lovely home-cooked dinner (I think it may have been tuna?) with my friends inside the completely gutted, fumigated, disinfected, and renovated "Cat House." The food and company were divine, and a wonderful evening was had by all, but still...I just couldn't help wondering....what in the hell is that cage doing over in the corner?! Did someone say...meow?

Ta-Ta (for now) PETALUMA!

Yesterday, I bid a fond farewell to Petaluma - but not for long! There'll be ample opportunities for me to return to The Girls' old stomping grounds again...but until then, I wanted to share with you a few more photos from my latest adventures...(click on photos to enlarge.)

First...my daring little Italian chaperon risked life and limb (and narrowly escaped being runnethed over by a speeding UPS truck) while snapping these pictures of me with the famous Clover Stornetta Dairy icon, Clo the Cow. Although I don't recommend such perilous endeavours as hanging oneself over a freeway overpass...it was totally worth it to get this shot!

Then...with adrenaline still surging through our veins, we decided it might be fun to go check out my chaperon's old family business! Notice the barbed wire around the place?...No wonder her house is known as "The Compound?!"

We stopped by and visited Lisa's mom too....she is every bit as sweet and kind as her daughter, and meeting her really boosted my spirits! I think the dog was a bit perplexed by my appearance, but Michael seemed please to meet me.




We also hung out at McNear Park for a while...reminiscing about about the good ol' days when The Girls were just little bitty things.

And of course, I couldn't leave town without

one more trip to Volpi's Ristorante...

....where I ran into this charming fellow who enthusiastically
posed for this picture with me ! (I hear he prefers older women.)

It was a swell trip...thanks Petaluma..."Arrivederci!" (for now)

Chillin' in PETALUMA, California

All this travelin' around tends to leave a girl feeling a bit droopy.
Sometimes I just gotta let my straps down and
take a breather!

Still in PETALUMA, CA.

WHAT?! The Guys ordered a pizza & beer?

I thought they said pizza & a BRA!

Oh well, something tells me they'll like this special delivery from Pinkys Pizza Parlor anyway!

Friday night in PETALUMA, Ca.

Last night a couple of The Guys from The Reunion stopped by to meet me. Having never laid eyes (much less hands) on an actual Traveling Bra before, at first I think they may have been a bit intimidated...but after a little chitchat and a few cocktails, they not only fully embraced me, but now are my newest big time supporters! They even included me when reenacting this heartwarming moment from their 1976 high school graduation: The guy on the left is a computer professional - and after thoroughly checking out my website, he said he was "very impressed with my meta tags." Wow! - it's not everyday a girl hears that kind of flattery! The guy on the right is The Expert when it comes to BBQ'ing...and he gave me a hot tip regarding how to correctly marinade ones meat. (It's an old family secret...but you can read about it here.) I'm so glad I got to meet this pair of Petalumans - what a HOOT!

More fun in PETALUMA, CA

BEFORE...


meeting Olga, the Traveling Bra...

...and AFTER!

WOW!

Gives a whole new meaning to the term "cup holder", eh?

Durst Field/PETALUMA, CA

Congratulations to
Petaluma High School Class of 2007!

May you fulfill all of your wildest dreams!

(Or at least those of your mothers'.)

Two happy graduates and one proud bra.

(Carrying on with tradition, the lovely young woman on the left is the only one
of the The Girls' 14 children to graduate from their alma mater!)

In Hot Water: PETALUMA, CA

I just loooove hot tubs... ...and Italian men

...with greata bigga mustachios!

Dateline: PETALUMA, CA.

I've been temporarily transferred to my new chaperon in Petaluma for a couple of weeks. I'll be attending a graduation ceremony at The Girl's alma mater, PHS and getting in touch with some of the attendees from The Reunion! (Stay tuned for more photos!)

While my new chaperon wasted no time showing me around town, unfortunately I missed out on a major local event - a Corda wedding.
Luckily, we were able to catch up with the father-of-the-bride the next morning in the back room at the legendary Volpi's Ristorante & Bar. I'd met this swell guy briefly once before out at his dairy ranch, (see May 5, 2007 post) but this time, after a few Bloody Mary's, we really connected!

Volpi's was originally an Italian market with a speakeasy in the back...over the years the Volpi family has added a deli and a restaurant to the business...but the backroom bar hasn't changed a bit since the days of Prohibition. It's safe to say that about a hundred years of history has been made within, and is well-preserved upon, these walls! But even so...I'm pretty sure they've never seen the likes of ME before!

His buddies seemed quite impressed...
...as did all the deer on the walls.

Nice Rack!

Then, my busy little Italian chaperon whisked me away to another local hot spot; Mario & John's. Here, I was lucky enough to meet one of the bridesmaids. This lovely girl was fortunate enough to catch the bridal bouquet (and maybe a guy from Carmel Valley) and said I could attend her wedding if and when it ever happens. Poor girl, she just can't seem to remember where she left her false eyelashes last night!

Always a bridesmaid,
never a bride!