Going Home Again – Manhattan Beach (Jan-Sep) 1964

With our UCB days behind us, Dick's first job out of college was with Mattel Toys. In January 1964 we rented this little house on 16^th Place in Manhattan Beach, just three blocks from the beach. We didn't live there but a few months but a lot sure happened there. Within the first month I was pregnant, something we had put off during our struggling college days in Albany. In February, Susan and I were rushed to the hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning, it seems the landlord failed to reconnect the heater vent after painting the place. But we survived the experience just fine.

However I can't say the same for the kid's two goldfish. I got this great idea that they needed some sunshine on this particular day and placed their bowl on the window sill in the living room. Well, I went out for the day and forgot all about them – if they had been shrimp, dinner would have been ready when I got home. This was probably the first pet loss for Susan and Mark. I'm not sure how I explained the missing fish, maybe that they went out for a swim and never came back.

I can't remember exactly how long we were here, six to eight months I would guess. The job was going well for Dick so we thought it would be the right time to buy a place for our growing family. We found a nice little place just a few blocks away, but that is next week's story.

Life’s a Learning Curve

It's seems there is always something new to be learned in this old world. Don't you love it? One can never get bored really. Now I have discovered that I can write my blog using Word. Just get it the way I like it and then I hit the 'publish' key, sounds simple enough so we shall see. I just installed Word 2007 after using some version of Word for a zillion years. When I first encountered the latest version at my volunteer OPPORTUNITY I almost fainted. After I just passed myself off as some sort of mini-expert in all things computer I found myself staring at a computer screen and not having the faintest idea of where to begin. Well, maybe I knew where to begin but that was about it. But I managed to get the task completed that I was assigned but I sure didn't feel good about it.

I decided I would get up to speed on my home computer so I wouldn't feel like such a fool. Since then I have been taking the on-line course that Microsoft offers and I can honestly tell you that I love the new version so far. And I am enjoying the learning process too. Maybe we 'old folks' should continue to learn something new, then we would have less time to talk about all our aches and pains and all the medication we are taking, just a thought.

100 Days - April 29, 2009 Arnold, MO

Well you don't meet a President of the United States very often let alone get a chance to talk with him. There is no way I can tell you how excited I am. Can't wait to get the official White House photographer photos. Why the heck was the President talking to me you ask? Actually I am still scratching my head on that one, but I can honestly say I am pleased as punch to have been chosen. There were four of us selected to meet with the President prior to giving his 100 Days speech at Fox Senior High School in Arnold, MO. All of were from the volunteer sector, a Peace Corps volunteer, an AmeriCorps volunteer, a Retired Senior Volunteer Organization member and myself, Wings of Hope volunteer. Actually I was picked because I signed up for volunteer work through the USAservice.org group and apparently they liked some feed back that I sent back to the White House on my involvement. All in all it was very exciting, so you never can tell who you might meet if you get out there and volunteer your services. Got to go and pinch myself again.