As We Grow Older

Life is precious and time marches on. Soon I will celebrate my 66th year, December 18th. When I became 50, this time in my life seemed so far away that I could barely imagine it. Now, it's here and I'm grateful for the time I've had, adventures and crazy things I've done over the years and still alive to share them with those who are patient enough to listen.
I've always been a family person. Being born during the War, the world was much more an innocent place. People were somewhat naive, worked hard and raised their children in a tight knit family unit. When I was little, I was a "daddy's girl". I was sick a lot and probably got more attention than most kids my age and probably got pretty spoiled along the way. Infact, I know I was!
My dad died young at the age of 55. He had a pre-dispostion to heart disease and had his first major heart attack when he was just 39 and in those days, they didn't do much except put him on blood thinners and "nitro" for pain. His life was also filled with stress. I was 32 at the time of his death and it changed my life forever. I handled the arrangements and kept my family uplifted. When it was over, I collapsed into a spiral of sadness and loss. I wasn't sure if I could go on without him and knew I that I had to figure out someway because I had two beautiful children.
Life goes on and now I'm a senior citizen, with my two beautiful children, 6 grandchildren and a new great grandson, a wonderful husband and my mother. She's a magnificent women; charged with the secrets of our family, enduring the pain and suffering of lifes challenges, she carry's on. Her feet are planted firmly in her beliefs which have carried her through her almost 90 years.
I don't have all the answers but I have faith in God that I will be guided in the right direction and be allowed to live each day as good as I can live it and be grateful for what I have. Figuring it all out along the way has had it's challenges but I think I'm better from the struggles.
Growing older isn't all that bad.
Please visit me at my website: www.sunriver.homestead.com

Phenomenon Movie Reunion

In the Fall of 1995, Disney Films converged on our little foothills hamlet of Old Town Auburn and began shooting a film called Phenomenon staring John Travolta and Robert Duvall. It was a great "chick flick" and when it was released in the summer of 1996 got rave reviews which brought a lot of attention to Auburn. One of the co-stars, Tony Genaro, whose claim to fame is the "Melago Been Field Wars" and "Tremmors" met and married a local gal and lived in Auburn for about 3 years before realizing that he needed to go back to L.A. where all of the action is. We all hung out together and spent a lot of time at each others homes and had a great time.
When I decided to resurrect the interest in the movie, I put together a movie reunion Oct. 29, 2008. We dedicated a bronze plaque and showed the film. Many extras came into town and so did Tony. It was a great reunion and the extras were able to exchange memories. Folks come into Old Town everyday and mention the film. Old Town Auburn had its 15 minutes of fame!
On the plaque are the words, "Everything Is On Its Way To Somewhere" as spoken by Travolta in the film. ..
Visit me at my website: www.sunriver.homestead.com

Miracle of Life

When my children were born, way back in the early 60's, somehow, I knew that I would be a grandmother someday, and, I am. My daughter and son blessed me with 6 grandchildren, with the first and now oldest, Niki, who became my little "Angel" when she was born; her brother, Justin, now 22 1/2 and their little brother Jayson, now 9, and my son with his 3 girls, Hannah almost 16, Sarah and Jessica. Through these almost 25 years of being a "grammy", I knew that as my oldest grandchildren got older and I was still feeling pretty young, I couldn't quite reach the "great grammy" level. Maybe it's because being a GREAT anything meant, to me, OLD, which is the furthest from any truth I know.
Well, God does wonders and miracles do happen. Anybody and everybody I see since yesterday 11-21-08, whether I know them or not, I say, "well, I have some good news for you today, I just became a GREAT GRAMMY for the first time". After their eyes get big at my surprise and good news, they too are happy and I realize that I've made their day as well and they leave my store happier than when they came in!
Hayden Pierce Stamps was brought into the world on Thursday, November 21st, 2008, weighing in at a hefty 7lbs. 8oz and a studly 20" long! I must say I'm very proud and am feeling emotional, grateful and truly blessed with this miracle of life coming to our family. It is especially nice since I was able to marry my grandson, Justin and his wife Meghan a year ago June 2007.
Take a look at this bundle of joy and this Thanksgiving be thankful for the smallest of things.
Grammy AKA Great Grammy
Visit me at my website: www.sunriver.homestead.com

My "Farah Fawcett" Days

Looking through old photos the other day, I ran across this 1979 photo of my daughter Lori and me when she was probably a Junior in High School in San Ramon and I thought I looked like Farah Fawcett! It was the hair although I was very skinny in those days, for a few minutes anyway. It's fun to find old photos and take a walk down memory lane. Those skinny days are gone but I suppose I'm happier now in the marriage I'm in because in those days, even though I looked happy, it was trendy to look good!
Visit me at my website: www.sunriver.homestead.com

Dog Bath Day

Today in Auburn, it's a beautiful day, again. We live in Colfax which is 16 miles east of Auburn amongst the pines. We have two American Eskimo's, litter mates, brother and sister. Archie and Angel. They look like little "snow" dogs! Well, lately, they have a gray cast. Dirty? I'd say so. Today was bath day.
When Chip said, "Bath", Archie hid in the bathroom thinking that I would protect him like I do every Wednesday morning when the garbage men come in their noisy truck. Well, it didn't work this timel. He was the first. His sister stayed on the bed pretending to look out the window but really thinking, I know I'm next! Well, she was right. Sometimes, dogs are right you know.
While she was in the bathtub, Archie was carrying on outside as if he would never see his sister again. That's what happens to litter mates who have never been separated. Chip let Angel go outside and you would think that they hadn't seen each other in days. Archie didn't even give Angel a chance to shake!!
Now we have two lily white puppies and are ready for the extra shedding they'll do for awhile. We love them but they are a handful.
Visit me at my website: www.sunriver.homestead.com

Auburn Symphony Home Tour

The weather was beautiful and I traded with my store help to take Saturday off. Chip and I bought tickets to attend the Home Tour. I'm always invited to do fashion shows for the Symphony League and wanted to support their fundraiser. There were 3 homes in the Winchester Subdivision in Meadow Vista. Mind you, these are "mini mansions" and the lots alone are over a mil.. One home was 8,000sq ft for 2 people. It was a LODGE home and the use of rocks, stones and wood was incredible. What they did in their kitchen cost more than my home was new! We had a good day, especially when we don't have a lot of time to spend together. I usually work one day during the weekend and Chip has weekends off.
I do have some pretty nifty ideas now for my little house. I think that's why Chip went with me, to protect his interests ($$$$). I usually do what I want anyway and since my husband doesn't have any decorating cents, if it was left up to him, we'd be sitting on blue milk crates covered in 1970's Mexican blankets!!!!
Visit me at my website: www.sunriver.homestead.com

Drowning Divas

August 5th I got my "Dining Diva" group together with spouses and some other friends for a raft trip down the South Fork of the American River. OY! We hung on for dear life but had three swimmers that day including our former County Supervisor! The river is beautiful and the water is in absolute control! We had 18 rafters in 3 boats that day. Tired and hungry after our 5 hour trip we all met at our local Mexican Restaurant for some adult beverages and talked about how courageous we all were. Unskilled and probably more lucky than anything else.
Visit me at my website: www.sunriver.homestead.com