Good morning...
Thanks
atem.
ryansmommy has a clear and current spread sheet that keeps the timeline pretty tight. It's referenced back in this thread.
It's clear to me that the girls moved out of the mansion before Sunday - this would follow with the concept of the travel dates to San Francisco.
Ottimista has good rphotos here:
Photos for Ottimista Enoteca-Cafe | Yelp, for those who are interested.
And for details of the unsuspecting DH as sleuther, read on...
Thursday:
DH to i2d: Where shall we take our international guests for a lovely Southern California experience tomorrow?
id2: [laying the trap] Why, to Malibu, of course! We could eat at Paradise Cove and then go to the Getty Villa. It will be quite a delightful afternoon.
DH: You are genious, mon petit chou.
Friday:
DH: What is the best route to take on our lovely drive today?
id2 [securing the trap]Why, Kanan Dume Road should be best - then we just turn left on PCH and voila! at PC. But you're welcome to check on the Internet.
DH: You are correct about the route. You are also brilliant and beautiful.
So, we pile into the Big Car (LRSC is a bit miffed at this, but two visitors refuse to ride in LRSC's trunk, even though, as previously explained, it does have its own light). 101 to Kanan. South on Kanan. DH is driving like... DH. So we zoom by the mansion. i2d now needs chiropractic care for craning her neck so far to see next to nothing. (scary, i2d now talking about herself in third person) Drive back is not via Kanan, as the Getty Villa is closer to Topanga Canyon.
Saturday:
DH: Where shall we take our sons, who are all in town, for a lovely brunch on Sunday?
i2d: [laying the second trap] I know this sounds absolutely ridiculous, but why not go back to Paradise Cove? It is the quintessential SoCal beach experience! And the weather is absolutely beautiful! And there's something for everyone without having to spend $39 each for brunch at I Cugini.
DH: As the wise and creative woman you are, I worship the ground you walk on, mon cherie.
The route has already been confirmed. But we have a problem. DH, i2d, eldest son, 2nd son, DIL, 3rd son = more people than fit in any one of our cars. So LRSC is happy. DH drives LRSC with 3rd son - i2d follows with the rest. Cannot say anything to other children about this, as they will give me No End of Grief. Plus, DIL's BF at work is an avid fan, and it would just deescalate into something I can't think about. I pray to LRSC that she is good and does not stall, stop, or swerve into the driveway at the mansion. She is good, and obeys DH's every command. That is because he lets her go Fast, even faster than i2d.
Drive by, no activity! But *gates closed* and Enterprise rent a truck to the right of the mansion on the grounds.
After lunch, all children return to #2 son's house, and DH and i2d return home in LRSC. DH agrees to take Kanan Dume road b/c it is fast and beautiful, just like i2d. No further activity. Case closed.
When it looks like we're up for the post-HTD RC at the mansion, we'll be on it again! I now have a reputation to uphold.
I appreciate this Grand Diversion in my life, and all of your encouragement! LRSC is looking forward to a good bath today (seagulls, feh), as she has been good, sons are all leaving, and I am on furlough.