Introduction

I wanted share with you what Wanda has shared with me. We have been in touch for a while now and have also posted an entry earlier back about Wanda's experience meeting Bea. Wanda recently emailed saying that she would be mailing me a couple photos that she took when she met Bea at her house a few years ago. Exciting as that was already, I was extremely shocked and excited on what she failed to mention she was also sending... one of her famous collage books of her fandom and even my own fandom! A nice time capsule of my own experiences with this web site and Bea, as well as, pages and pages of fun images of Bea over the years... with titles and all... once again hand crafted by Wanda!

Below I want to share a couple of photos that I took of the book that she sent me. Also, in her own words, comments from her exciting experience of not only meeting Bea, but being a guest in her own home! Every Bea fan's dream... came true for Wanda!

I want to mention, because I learn from the past on this stuff... enjoy the story, but don't go crazy on how you can 'hang out' with Bea. Wanda worked really hard, 40 years in the making, to have this moment. So, I just want to emphasize that its not as simple as driving up to her home and expecting Bea to take in strangers. As we know, or you should know take good note of now... Bea is a very private person and doesn't normally leave her gate open just for anyone! Common sense, but you wouldn't believe how many people still will ask about it!!

Kev!

Wanda's personal gift via my Flickr account

Wanda's note that came with the photos below ::

It was just before Thanksgiving /06 when my husband and I visited California and drove down Bea's "Private Road" - her gate was open so parked on the street and talked to a young worker outside her home - there were still many workers around as the home was not quite finished. Bea had just been dropped off and was busy looking for the roasting pan for the turkey which she was going to cook in a couple of days - she was all alone except for the worker still putting the final touches on her kitchen. She welcomed us with a big hug - and knew us from meeting her at the El Portal in No. Hollywood. I had made her another scrap book so we looked through it and she had many interesting stories about her fellow actors - we were there over an hour and when we left she gave me Season 6 of the Golden Girls on DVD.

Bea was concerned about having no make-up on when she saw that I wanted to take pictures - she said she could put some lipstick on but I told her it wasn't necessary. She walked us out to our car arm in arm and showed me how to press the intercom and get in her gate the next time we came. It was a very big thrill for me to visit with Bea - lot of people never get to meet their idol of 40 years - some people don't want to meet them because they think they will be disappointed. Believe me I was not disappointed - Bea was everything I had hoped for.

- Wanda

Don't forget... this isn't the first time that we have heard from Wanda! If you missed it be sure to check out "A Note from Wanda"!

Want more??? So, did I! Here are a few more quotes from Wanda about her experience from our email exchanges that you might find interesting! I'm sure Wanda won't mind ;)

To be able to visit with Bea in her new home was a dream come true - I had prayed for that for many many months and it came true. You will see the nice big refrigerator, a beautiful big TV over her fireplace in the kitchen - pool outside the glass doors in the back yard - long dinner table in the dining room - my husband said to her "looks like King Arthur's table" - she says "How about Bea Arthur's table?" She didn't have any food in the house as she was just let off there to work a little while putting things away - she hadn't fully moved in yet -(as if I could have eaten anything anyway)

She had many stories about Bill Macy, Archie Bunker and others she had worked with. I was on top of the world the whole day - it was great to meet her after her show in No. Hollywood but it was something else to be the only ones in her home with her.

Thanks again Wanda so much!

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