1960s: Finding a place to call home
While Barbara is recuperating from the birth of baby Abby, life is busy for Thomas and Betty as it's time for Susan to turn ten and she has very exact ideas about what she wants that does not always go well with what Betty has in mind. While her mother wants her to have a traditional birthday party for the family, Susan is insisting on only inviting the kids around.
"Adults are a drag, mom!" she complains, before she convinces her father who she has wrapped around her little finger. So on her big day, only the kids in the family are invited and Susan is happily showing off her new hairstyle
"I can do my own hair, mom, and ponytails are for babies! I'm not five anymore!"
The party is a success, but the highlight for Susan is when her parents give her her present. A record player of her very own! Just what she wanted! And the new Beatles album! Oh she so wish she could go to a concert with them but that was where both Betty and Thomas said no. "You're far too young for concerts!" So stupid, but at least now she can listen to them as much as she wants on her very own record player! Best birthday ever!
In Del Sol Valley a very different party is going on. Alice and Cora might have retired from acting, but Alice is not willing to retire from the spotlight. Her parties are still the go to events, and new born or not, Alice loves to entertain, inviting stars, fans and interesting artists to her house on the hills.
Not only are these parties fun, but Barbara gets a chance to meet new people, and find new opportunities. Between dancing and drinks Barbara hears about a property that might be perfect for starting a business. Could she make a living off her art and jewelry?
While Barbs would love to check out this new property immediately, she can't just throw herself into a car right away. Arthur and Audie are bringing the kids over to meet the baby, and so even though she's restless and eager, Barbara needs to wait a little.
Still, it's good to see her brother!
While Cathy and Beth hits the swings outside, and Audie takes care of baby Cindy, Arthur meets Abby for the first time.
After, the siblings sit outside, talking away. Barbara shares her thought on opening a business selling art and jewelry.
Audie on her end, takes the opportunity to relax and work on her tan. Cindy is sleeping soundly inside, Beth and Cathy are more than entertained by the pool. For once she can relax and just mind her own business.
When Arthur and Audie returns home, Cindy sits up for the first time! Both parents are so proud of her.
Now Audie can start her on real food. And play peek-a-boo while she's sitting at the table. Cindy thinks peek-a-boo is the best thing ever!
And when mommy brings out the camera she turns into a real model. Look at me! See what I can do!
Abby is very far from sitting up, but Barbara still brings her to look at the property in San Sequoia the next day.
It's a big place! A bit run down, and not built to live on, but there is a bathroom and a makeshift kitchen. Most of all there is a ton of natural light.
"I think we can make this work, Abby! Don't you?" Abby coos in response. Barbara takes that as a good sign.
Borrowing money from Alice (although Alice insist on calling it a gift), Barbara spends the next few weeks arranging her move. The first thing she buys is a proper crib for Abby, and all the equipment she'll need to create both art and jewelry. The rest is thrifted. The stove barely works, the bed is worn already when she buys it, and there is only cushions, old carpets and pillows on the floor to sit on, but Barbara doesn't mind. She has her studio, her daughter, and a place to call her own.
When Abby is awake, Barbara tries to be with her as much as possible, but when she's asleep Barbara is either in the studio creating, or downstairs selling her artwork. She doesn't have an abundance of clients at first, but she does sell and she has time. It doesn't hurt that the entire area of Celebration is bustling with new artists, musicians and counter culture. It's not really the same as Fort Robbles and the beat generation - although some make it this way too, but it's creative and free spirited and changing into something that Barbara thinks might just be amazing given time. And time is exactly what she is going to give it.
"Adults are a drag, mom!" she complains, before she convinces her father who she has wrapped around her little finger. So on her big day, only the kids in the family are invited and Susan is happily showing off her new hairstyle
"I can do my own hair, mom, and ponytails are for babies! I'm not five anymore!"
The party is a success, but the highlight for Susan is when her parents give her her present. A record player of her very own! Just what she wanted! And the new Beatles album! Oh she so wish she could go to a concert with them but that was where both Betty and Thomas said no. "You're far too young for concerts!" So stupid, but at least now she can listen to them as much as she wants on her very own record player! Best birthday ever!
In Del Sol Valley a very different party is going on. Alice and Cora might have retired from acting, but Alice is not willing to retire from the spotlight. Her parties are still the go to events, and new born or not, Alice loves to entertain, inviting stars, fans and interesting artists to her house on the hills.
Not only are these parties fun, but Barbara gets a chance to meet new people, and find new opportunities. Between dancing and drinks Barbara hears about a property that might be perfect for starting a business. Could she make a living off her art and jewelry?
While Barbs would love to check out this new property immediately, she can't just throw herself into a car right away. Arthur and Audie are bringing the kids over to meet the baby, and so even though she's restless and eager, Barbara needs to wait a little.
Still, it's good to see her brother!
While Cathy and Beth hits the swings outside, and Audie takes care of baby Cindy, Arthur meets Abby for the first time.
After, the siblings sit outside, talking away. Barbara shares her thought on opening a business selling art and jewelry.
Audie on her end, takes the opportunity to relax and work on her tan. Cindy is sleeping soundly inside, Beth and Cathy are more than entertained by the pool. For once she can relax and just mind her own business.
When Arthur and Audie returns home, Cindy sits up for the first time! Both parents are so proud of her.
Now Audie can start her on real food. And play peek-a-boo while she's sitting at the table. Cindy thinks peek-a-boo is the best thing ever!
And when mommy brings out the camera she turns into a real model. Look at me! See what I can do!
Abby is very far from sitting up, but Barbara still brings her to look at the property in San Sequoia the next day.
It's a big place! A bit run down, and not built to live on, but there is a bathroom and a makeshift kitchen. Most of all there is a ton of natural light.
"I think we can make this work, Abby! Don't you?" Abby coos in response. Barbara takes that as a good sign.
Borrowing money from Alice (although Alice insist on calling it a gift), Barbara spends the next few weeks arranging her move. The first thing she buys is a proper crib for Abby, and all the equipment she'll need to create both art and jewelry. The rest is thrifted. The stove barely works, the bed is worn already when she buys it, and there is only cushions, old carpets and pillows on the floor to sit on, but Barbara doesn't mind. She has her studio, her daughter, and a place to call her own.
When Abby is awake, Barbara tries to be with her as much as possible, but when she's asleep Barbara is either in the studio creating, or downstairs selling her artwork. She doesn't have an abundance of clients at first, but she does sell and she has time. It doesn't hurt that the entire area of Celebration is bustling with new artists, musicians and counter culture. It's not really the same as Fort Robbles and the beat generation - although some make it this way too, but it's creative and free spirited and changing into something that Barbara thinks might just be amazing given time. And time is exactly what she is going to give it.
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