Not An Ordinary Family: Beverly Hills -- That's Where I Wanna Be

Another leg of our Southern California trip with Mom was to Beverly Hills & Hollywood. I've never had a desire to see the homes of the stars or try to track them down, but my mom & sister really, really are starstruck & wanted to see the Walk of Stars as well as where they lived. Hollywood was interesting -- it was surreal to think that I was walking in the same places that stars have been. The stars line about 15 city blocks -- but fun fact, you have to buy your own star & they start at $25,000! Who knew? And the premiere of BRAVE was happening the same day so it was awesome to see the red carpet set-up as well as all of the work that goes into that kind of production. Then, as we were walking, my sister was approached about taking a private tour through the city to see the Homes of the Stars & she totally went for it. We hoped into the limo & had a blast. It was a good move because we were navigated well & everyone could see everything & the crazies all took their naps spread out in the limo during our 3 hour tour. However, I was not prepared to be among all of that wealth. Beverly Hills is a private city where people are on wait lists to buy homes to move into this community. I could not believe the money thrown into such a place. Words don't describe the houses, the cars, the fashion, or the ways that the rich & famous live -- you have to go there yourself to see it. There were expensive cars all over Rodeo just like you see minivans in the suburbs. It was crazy. We had fun looking at it all & taking it all in, and we saw no stars, but it was a day well-traveled!

Me with Marilyn Monroe's star