Remembering Pam Parker...

Today the West Valley YMCA dedicated a room to my sister-in-law Pam.  She was a huge part of making this Y a reality.  To me however, she was first a mom and wife, sister and daughter.  Full of class and dignity, fun and humor - a teacher of the good things in life and how to survive the bad.

She is missed.

A Mother's Love...

Today my daughter posted something wonderful on my Facebook page about how much she loves me and how happy she is that we're "best friends."  I think often about how much I love my kids and how grateful I am that they turned out to be such wonderful adults.

But her post reminded me how important a mother is in the lives of her children.  I feel the same way about my mother.  She raised us to be kind and compassionate - and she modeled that behavior for us.  To say something is one thing, but to live it is another.

Mom, I hope you know how grateful I am that you're my mom and that you took the time to show us how to be caring, generous, and honorable as adults.

To my daughter Jacki, thank you for reminding me how lucky I am and for allowing me to watch as you raise your kids to be very special in their own ways.  You are a wonderful example of a mother and you make me proud.

Dewar's Candy Shop, Bakersfield...

3 good things to come out of Bakersfield - my dad's family, Buck Owens, and Dewar's Candy.  I am currently having a very hard time not getting on their website and ordering their peanut butter, almond, and pecan chews.  A big box for me and one to send to Jake.  Wondering how I can become a wholesale distributor and not eat all the profits.  

If you've never tried their candy, go.  Get some.  It makes great gifts and it's the best candy you'll ever taste. 

You won't be sorry.

Rendevous Reclaimation - Oh My!

Our friends Rod and Kathy sent me a message yesterday.  They had stopped by a new place that they knew I would love - and wow, were they right!  It's only open a few days a week through Christmas and then will only be open for 1 week a month after that.

They tear down old barns in Oregon and salvage all the parts.  I walked into their showroom of furniture and picture frames made of old barn wood.  Nice, but not what I was looking for.  Then I walked to the junky old building out back and there it was...

A pretty cool telephone booth.  Don't ask me why, but I've always wanted an old phone booth - with a Superman costume hanging inside...

A beautiful green washer...

and an old feed trough.

This would all look wonderful on the porch.  Nancy suggested we buy the phone booth and put it out where the outhouse was during construction.  Cell phone service isn't great out here and the outhouse was the only place she could get service.  I don't even want to know how she figured that out!

So, if you have a hankerin', drop by this place.  Just don't buy the phone booth, washer, or trough.  I'm going to sell the bear that's in the bedroom to buy them.  I don't think Ival will mind - do you?

The cat however, might be bummed.  Seriously, I want to see a show of hands.  How many of you would allow a big, full-body bear mount in your bedroom?  Anybody??

That's what I thought.

Progressive Dinner...

Last night we held a progressive dinner for a friend and neighbor who has been struggling with cancer for several years.

Most of you know me well enough to know I'm no social butterfly.  However, I love the Fanters.  They're some of the best people I know and I wanted to help raise some money for them.  Kim has had to take a leave from her job and I know how devastating cancer can be to your finances.

So, I signed up for the dessert.  Luckily, my lovely daughter Jacki and her husband Tim donated two homemade rum cheesecakes that were the hit of the party while mom, Jacki and I spent the afternoon making chocolate raspberry parfaits and strawberry shortcake.  We won't talk about how these "simple" desserts kicked my culinary-challenged ass, but let's say I was grateful for too much tequila and those who were too full for dessert!

It was an especially fun night because the Fanters were some of the "original 50" in Hidden Springs.  That meant that most of the people who attended last night were those that we started with in Hidden Springs.  The "old" gang that I rarely see any more, those who we used to get together with every Friday night at the Merc for Happy Hour.  It was so much fun to get us all together again.  Even Chuck and Kim attended even though Chuck was in a lot of pain and is usually in bed by 7:30 these days.

Chuck and Cindy

Chuck and Kim

I was amazed.  There were 66 people here, and we still had room to dance if anyone had been capable!

Tad and Denise (our builder)

What a wonderful night.  We raised over $3,000 for the Fanters, great food, wonderful company.  We all talked about needing to do this more often and everyone said we need to "end the party" at our house.  There hasn't been a weekend since we moved in that we haven't had something going on here.  I think we're officially "the party house."  This has nothing to do with us, but our house has become quite popular!  Actually I think this might be good, I've discovered that it's fun to go outside my comfort zone and socialize!

I love it here!