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If you knew my Dad, you’d never describe him as a gambler.  He would play Poker, Pit & Rummoli when we celebrated holidays with friends.  Oh, and we did go to Longacres to take a chance on the ponies one time, but for the most part, wagering was not Dad’s thing.  With that being said, you might be intrigued to learn that he actually bet his entire life on some baseball games!   The 1959 World Series! Dad starting college Talk about serendipity!  Mom’s older brother, Ed, and Dad both hit Inglewood, California that same weekend.  By chance, they both chose the same boarding house for college back in February of 1957 and a few days later decided to get their own two-bedroom place on La Tijera Blvd with a couple of other fellas.  Three of the guys were enrolled in the mechanics side of the school, and Dad was the group’s engineer.  They all shared rides to campus and learned about life going to school and living together as ...

I don’t remember particular specifics about the pregnancy.  No morning sickness.  No strange cravings for odd combinations of food.  I was as round as a basketball and felt as clunky as the Bare Traps we had worn in high school.  I was scared of how it would all happen; The Birth itself.  Books and instructors, your friends and your family can tell you what it will be like.  The Miracle of Life is an incredible event.  Truly, that’s what it is.  If you have experienced it, you’ll understand a little better than if you have not.  That moment when a new life swooshes forth.  With a slap on the back and the cry that follows; everything else is a whirlwind.  Incredible!  This new life is one that you created, and is one that you will always love and cherish.  No matter what. His Story began in the PNW.  Unexpected but tremendously anticipated!  Joining a big brother only a little over two years older.  T...

Our world is taking us on a ride in the fast lane.  Everything is a blur.  We are in such a hurry to get to our destination that we don’t even take the time to look at the passing roadside anymore.  We are in a race to get “there”, but really, where are we heading? A lot of times we get on the road and head right over to that left hand lane, even if we can’t get up to the required speed.  Unknowingly, we slow down those behind us.  It might be the lane that we think we want to be in; the lane we deserve to be in (?) without realizing what is expected while there?  Perhaps those pages in the instruction manual were missing when we were handed the book?  Not sure if life comes with an instruction manual?  We probably didn’t all read the same book anyway? Over time, we learn the rules.  Do we have what it takes?  Would it be easier to avoid it all together?  In general, we are all capable of being there, but we need to kn...

"Whatever your heart desires" she overheard a man say as she stepped out of the elevator after work that night.  She didn't look around to see who had said it or to whom the words were being spoken to, she just kept moving forward.  What was it that her heart desired? she wondered as she walked out the front door of the building and into the brisk twilight toward her car.  In her younger years there had always been a desire for something; some certain, but unspecified thing. Looking out into the dark, starry night as Mr. Moon started to come up over the other buildings and cast a soft champagne glow on the city, she turned the headlights on, backed up and started her trek home.  There was a little twinkle here and there as the sky started turning midnight blue and enveloped her surroundings the further away from work she drove.  After a day like today, a tranquil evening was definitely needed - she desired that; an evening to reflect on the days events with...

I opted to play hostess to yard sales this summer in order to let go of product I had received from The Company over the years.  They didn't want to pay to ship any of it back then pay other people to restock it, so every Friday and Saturday for a whole month, I set up my garage like a mini store.  I put out signs, opened my garage doors & had the opportunity to meet wonderful people, start new relationships and enjoy tremendous conversations.  When no one else seemed to be on their way that last weekend, I picked up my signs, closed up my doors & sighed.  I put the leftovers in boxes and neatly labeled each one.  When I taped up that last box I cried; it meant closure and it meant time to move forward.  That was also the moment I realized that I'm at a crossroads in life.  Kids grown and living on their own.  A house that's too big for the two of us.  Ready to step into a new role, but, at the same time, unsure of what direction t...

One of the things I noticed that first time I walked into this house was that one of the panels was missing from the six panel door on the master bedroom.  What the heck, right?  I guess I am not quick to move on some things... it actually took ten years to replace the darn thing..   Don't worry, lol, I didn't leave the gaping hole open... I covered it with cardboard (insert rolling eyes emoji here) and... I never did photograph it, at least, not consciously... That door saw it all; the comings & goings... the busyness and the boredom... the joy and the sorrow.  It was there for the get togethers, the conversation & laughter ... it hung around for the hum-drum times, too.  It silently celebrated the exhilarating victories and the disappointments of defeat.  It got pushed, slammed, dinged, banged... without complaint, but the time had come to let it go.  It had served it's time, done it's job and deserved to retire. A few weeks after it's ...

I bought this piece from a guy named Jake. I saw it advertised and loved it, so I called him right away to inquire and we spoke about it for a few minutes.  He owns a bike repair shop in Denver and didn't have the space for it anymore - I texted him the next day and what turned out to be the day after to reiterate my intentions.  I really wanted it, but wasn't able to get up there till later in the week... would he hold it for me?  Turns out I wasn't able to pick it up at all... and a week or two passed.  Fortunately for me, when I texted him again, apologizing for my absence..and, was it still available, he said yes.    I was really attracted to it's Mid-century modern shape.  Jake (a cool, young dude with tattoos, a wild head of hair and a bushy beard) told Russ (who so kindly picked it up for me on his way home from work) that he had "painted it black a few years ago" as they worked together to load it into the truck.  The thing is heavy...

After the market crashed in 2007, my career in interior designer took a nosedive - I had to find a job that would help us survive.  I got into territory management so that I could continue to provide my family with health insurance but eventually tired of constant travel within my multi-state demographic, which is how I came to work for a major worldwide beauty company that would change my life forever. What I liked most about the advertisement regarding the position was what I read in the job description.  There was an official title, but it was the words "empowering women" that really captured my heart.  I was living in Testosterone World raising my boys (with my ex, who could also be considered a boy) and in need of some sisterly love.  The job was to empower small, independent business owning women to believe that Yes they can!!  My job was to nudge them to be confident, courageous and independent!  I could do that!  But could I? We live...

No doubt about it, she's adorable. I wasn't able to have a cat for a long time.  Almost two decades, actually.  My Ex had allergies, and, unfortunately, so did the kids.  The last cat I had was Maxi, when my oldest son was just an infant.  We called her Maxi Pad and she was a real cool cat, but she must have licked leaking antifreeze because something was off and I had to take her to the vet one day.  I brought her home a day later and the day after that she was gone.  Ohhh, the tears!!  Pets have a way of sneaking into our souls and making the world seem like it's actually alright.  They have a way of making us happy beyond the stars.  They love us unconditionally, get us smiling & feeling good about life... and this Schmeigel... this little girl has captured my heart in a way that no cat has ever done in all my days.  She snuck in but it wasn't easy for me to win her over, I'll tell you that. She was scared at first.  Sh...

Yes.  But you became sloppy and mad.  You became hateful and uninterested.  You became narcissistic and bigoted.  You became disgusting and self centered.  You stopped caring and being sympathetic. You were right even though you weren't. What are the results? What are the new goals? Are we better now? Did we disagree on the issues? Did we forget that love trumps hate and that war is useless and irresponsible?   Insanity reigns? When can we get past the greed and poverty and shame? When can we expect the sun again? I guess you forgot that the beauty you see in me is a reflection of the beauty you see in yourself...

It was definitely time to get out of the craziness for a minute; time to go country - REAL country... Mountain Goat Country!!  We live in a small town, and our town happens to be growing like a weed.  The commute to work is getting as bad as traffic in L.A. & Seattle - places we lived and worked in eons ago.  People here are certain to become Road Rage certified as the current growth continues like it has the past few years.  It was time for an escape! We went to a place over 10,000 feet above sea level.  We went to a place where there were street signs cautioning to watch for cows that might be passing over the road (and not necessarily at the cattle guards), signs hollering at us to be careful, to slow down.  That busy world we left behind; jobs that pay too little and demand so much, recurring bills that keep circling back to the mailbox month after month, the never-ending list of projects around the house that need to be finished - we ...

  That first time I pulled up... I saw it.  It was flying gloriously from a proper pole right there on a post off his front porch and it wasn't even the Fourth of July!  ... I didn't really think about his proclamation, I guess.   He grew up in a small military town near Death Valley in California.  His father had spent his entire 35 year career working on the base as a civilian draftsman.  Both of his parents were born & raised in that small town where patriotism was taught, appreciated, believed in, acted out and respected.  I had held my hand on my heart  alongside all those other kids going through the public school system  every morning; we pledged our allegiance to it, we praised it's symbolism and we were taught to appreciate what it stood for, because that was the right thing to do.   My  sisters, father and I had to apply for the privilege to call it our own.  We were officially granted,...

This week is going so fast!  This LIFE is going so fast...  I am dizzy from all the craziness!  Have you ever felt that way?  I was downsized at my job - this Friday is my last day.  I've had a month to brew on this situation.  I've had 27 days now to mull it over... and, at times, I'm still mulling it over, but I'm also ready to begin my ascent back up the mountain ... I will say that hope does die hard...  I interviewed for the position that will swallow up all of the soon-to-be-eliminated positions.  I created my appointment to speak with someone in HR.  Said person called me and I auditioned.  I nervously yet confidently spoke my answers to her generic questions...  knowing I  had worked hard all those years to get them to Believe.  My job was to EMPOWER them... a task that I had taken very seriously.  After the call, I still had...

  One of my recent projects has been a new frame for a gorgeous hand painted watercolor I bought when in Yuma for Christmas.  My "Mom" (and friend), the fun and adorable Doris and I did a little shopping and had a blast!  We were just out and about looking for "stuff"... I've been a closet junk shopper for a few decades now...    I guess I first started hunting on my own when I was in my first year at WSU; around that time my friend Jackie introduced me to a gal who lived on her dorm floor.  Her friend Jennifer collected vintage dresses and I recall thinking it was an interesting but odd thing to collect.  I definitely didn't like the idea of wanting a closet full of musty old dresses... but I also remember the pride she had while showing off her marvelous collection.  She told me she found her dresses at thrift stores and Estate sales.  Hmmm! I rem...

This has become my Signature quote.  It became such after one of the gals in District, who has really been implementing her learnings out in the real world and as a result, has been exploding her business (in an awesome, incredible, eye opening, jaw dropping way), told me that it was really inspiring, she completely believed it and absolutely loved it!   In my position, I help others to learn how to run their own small businesses.  I've been believing in, nurturing, empowering and encouraging others to pursue their dreams by being their own boss so that they can work when, where & how they want.  After all, that's pretty much the ultimate American dream, isn't it?!  The thinking goes something like: if you work for yourself you'll love what you do, you'll work hard, you'll reap what you sow... right?  Most importantly, you won't have to be chained to the Company's desk, calendar, agenda, program, ho...

"My name is engraved in the Sistine Chapel" I remember her telling me once proudly.  The Sistine Chapel as in THE Sistine Chapel... of Michelangelo fame... in Rome.  Actually, I believe she meant that her name is engraved under the dome above the main altar in the Basilica of St. Peter's, which the Sistine Chapel is a part of.  The language of the church is Latin, and the word Fides means Faith in Latin.  Fides is also a deity, actually; she is the goddess of trust and good faith. Nonna would explain the pronunciation of her name ... "Fee-Diss - NOT Fee-tuss... as in an unborn baby" when she was introduced to new people.  Apparently hearing, understanding, and properly articulating her name, even amongst other Italians, was difficult.  I only saw her a few times a year at most.  They lived a few moons up the coast and it was almost an all-day affair to reach them.  ...

      I was near the end of her long line of grandchildren; eighth out of eleven.  By the time I came along she was 66 years old.  Her parents and husband had long passed, her brothers had both moved North and her four children had scattered to different ends of the earth or, as they may have liked to say on the farm, "flown the coop".   A city girl gone country could have been one way they described her?  Hmmm... well, Dassel, Minnesota was not exactly a boom town when she was growing up in the early years of the 20th century.  With her 8th grade education she moved fifty miles away from her family home to Minneapolis, and went to work as a maid for a doctor and his family.  She had to do this in order to support her little sister, Ella, who had been deemed the caretaker for their ailing mother.  It was there, in Minneapolis, that she met the...