Last month I posted a photo of my mom from the 70's, for Mother's Day. So here (a little late) is a picture of my Dad from the same general time period. Happy Father's Day, Dad! (I don't feel too bad about this post being late because I was actually with my Dad on Father's Day.)I think this photo is about 1977 or so (dontcha love those plaid pants). During that time he was president of a little company called Automecca which produced the vehicle shown in the photo, the Roamer SportsVan. My dad has always been seriously afflicted with the Entrepreneur Bug and has owned a number of businesses over the years. As anyone who owns a small business knows, its rare to make more money than just enough to live on! I think my mom would have preferred my dad to have always had a "regular" job, but what would our lives be if we didn't take a few risks and go after our dreams?
My siblings and I certainly picked up on that lesson. Out of seven kids three of us run (or have run) our own businesses, and most, if not all, of my other sibs have expressed the desire to do the same. I guess we've inherited that mix of dreamer, optimism, and creativity that makes calling our own shots so irresistible. I'll never get rich with my little biz, but I'm sure having a good time.
This photo is from about 1960. I'm on the left of my dad and my brother, Mike, is on the right. My dad taught all of us kids to ride two-wheelers as soon as we were old enough. He was very much involved in Boy Scouts for many years with both my brothers, and I got to go along on many hikes and campouts. He body-surfed and built sandcastles at the beach. He was my first dance partner, and he taught me to drive a car. Of course, he did once leave me behind at a hardware store when I was about 3 (he forgot he had me with him)!
This photo is from about 1960. I'm on the left of my dad and my brother, Mike, is on the right. My dad taught all of us kids to ride two-wheelers as soon as we were old enough. He was very much involved in Boy Scouts for many years with both my brothers, and I got to go along on many hikes and campouts. He body-surfed and built sandcastles at the beach. He was my first dance partner, and he taught me to drive a car. Of course, he did once leave me behind at a hardware store when I was about 3 (he forgot he had me with him)! Nobody's perfect but, as a dad, mine comes pretty darn close. Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you!
Here is a view of the cat garden from where I was standing under the arbor. They have all this room to roam! You have to look closely to see the slim black poles and the mesh fencing attached to it which runs just inside the wood fence. That's how unobtrusive the fencing is; it certainly doesn't make our garden look like a prison yard.
Jack likes to stroll (or patrol?) along the stones that border our flower gardens. There's always a bug or butterfly to chase, grass to nibble, and dirt or warm concrete to roll on.
Looks like Scout is right behind him! She's really the superior hunter and has brought in many a lizard, bird, or rodent. That is the only downside to letting my cats go outside. I do have to clean up feathers or lizard pieces now and then, or corner and trap a mouse that she's brought into the house and let go. Nice!
Dianna, on the steps of Santa Clara Church in Oxnard, California, simply gorgeous in her exquisite gown, veil, and bouquet. Isn't she breathtaking?!?
After the ceremony, the bride and groom with their parents. From left to right: Terry Oliver, John Oliver, Dianna, Rodrigo, me, Rodrigo DeZubiria (Sr.). [Although Rodrigo (Sr.) and I are divorced and we have both remarried, we are all good friends, which makes it possible for us all to attend the wedding, participate in the ceremony, and have photos taken together.]
Rodrigo and Dianna, Maya DeZubiria, their flowergirl, and Adam Parker, their ringbearer. Maya and Adam both performed like pros, walking up the aisle together, making their little bows at the alter, then turning and quietly walking to their seats. No one could have done a better job!
Dianna and her bridesmaids, and her matron-of-honor, Jeanette (to Dianna's left). I don't know all the names of the bridesmaids but I will find out since I'll need that info for when I create the wedding album. They all looked simply stunning.
Rodrigo and his groomsmen, including his Best Man (his brother, Michael), and his ringbearer. I know the names of most of these guys, but a few I am not sure of so I will wait and list them all in a future post. Aren't they a handsome group??
Rodrigo and his dad, brother, and sisters Emma and Maya. Emma was a junior bridesmaid and also had the honor of performing one of the readings during the wedding ceremony. She did a great job, every word clear as a bell, and she didn't seem nervous at all. She has grown up so much in the last year - quite the young lady now!
This digital scrapbook layout is from August of 2007. On this day, at our Hansen Family Reunion, Rodrigo and Dianna announced their engagement.
Or, the length of a half-sleeping cat. Jack finds the coolest spot in the house, the kitchen floor, for his afternoon nap. 
Outside in the cat's garden Scout, who spends much of her waking hours hunting small rodents and reptiles, has her eyes and thoughts on something high in the tree.
Ah hah! A small rodent it is. This squirrel was up very high in the branches where he obviously felt safe enough to just settle down and wait out the threat. He doesn't realize that we have wrapped the trunk of this tree with sheet metal.
Scout couldn't have climbed it if she'd wanted to. It also helps discourage raccoons from coming into the garden and then through the cat door into our house where they eat every speck of cat food they can find and track water and mud all through the kitchen and dining room.
Of course, that doesn't keep Jack from climbing the arbor! This is about as high as he can go, though, before he is stopped by mesh nailed on the top crosspieces. He's always searching for a way out of the garden so he can go off on one of "Jack's Big Adventures" outside the confines of the Purr...fect Cat Fencing.
In spite of their instincts to hunt and roam, Scout and Jack do manage to content themselves with a quieter (and safer!) life in their small corner of the world.
She's also running a contest and all you have to do is read her blog and leave a comment on it to be entered in the random drawing for a free set of Stampin' Up stamps (shown above). So hurry over there and check it out!
This is Dianna Marie Oliver. Soon to be Dianna Marie DeZubiria! She's marrying my son, Rodrigo. I have always wanted a daughter (or two!) and soon my wish will come true! Next on my Wish List?? Grandkids (hint hint)!
Nothing tastes better than fresh-baked bread. While I was growing up my mom baked 4 loaves of bread at least twice a week for our large family. I loved coming home from school and smelling that bread baking in the oven . . . almost as much as I loved smelling her fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies! My mom still bakes, though not as often since it's now just her and my dad at home, but I always look forward to her bread when I visit.
Posts
