What's New?

Wow! It's been a long time since I added any content, just been busy with my sewing business "Sew Pretty by Lavona" with purses, makeup bags, and new machine embroidery projects that I am in the process of learning. We've taken several vacations, and a second one just recently to the Mexican Riviera with my sister, Dawn, and her husband, Art. This was our favorite photo on the cruise back in October, 2009!

Dog's Singing

Lana has her two dogs, Buckwheat and Luther, sing for us!

Lana and Kiani

Lana is playing with Kiani, formerly Ginger's bird.

Dawn, Lana & Lavona

We had a WONDERFUL time visiting our "little" sister, Lana, this past weekend. Dawn came down from Arizona on Thursday evening and she and I left Friday morning to drive up to Templeton. On the way we stopped to see one of our dear friends, Nancy, who we grew up with, then on to Solvang for a nice break. We got to Lana's early evening.

We had a great time visiting, playing with her pets, and sightseeing. We had to leave early Sunday morning to drive home, then Dawn and Art left for their return trip back home. Very short trip, but so much fun!! Art got to visit with his two sisters, which made it a great family weekend! We are hoping to do this again in the near future.

Las Vegas Vacation, 5/9/09-5/15/09

"Grandma & Grandpa" took a vacation to Las Vegas during Mother's Day week. We had a WONDERFUL time visiting Chris and Michelle's little ones, Dustin (4), and Sadie (2 1/2). Now aren't they ADORABLE!!


We had the most fun watching Dustin and Sadie swim in a pool for the first time!!

Palm Springs Follies, 4/18/09

We had a FABULOUS day Saturday enjoying a bus trip to Palm Springs to enjoy the "Senior" Palm Springs Follies. All the entertainers are seniors (55-85 years old) performing like the Las Vegas Follies, looking unbelievably gorgeous, tap dancing, wearing the HUGE feather headresses, with all the glitt and glamor!


This was the theater that they have been headlining in for 18 years now. John Davidson was the guest performer. We were entertained for 3 full hours. A Palm Springs "Must See"!


Of course, we got another self-portrait of our day! It was unbelievably beautfiul with temps in the upper 80's. Perfect!!

Lavona Retires!!

2/26/09 This is the first day of the rest of my life!! Happy Retirement and Happy Birthday to ME!! What a present! I had a WONDERFUL day, an Open House reception, friends, gifts, tears, smiles and hugs. So much to be thankful for. A good job (for someone else now) and a good family to go home to. I made a lot of memories these past 11 years, and tomorrow I can officially enter the Senior Center as a guest and not an employee!

Come on in ... you are invited to my Retirement Open House!

The tables were decorated with purple and yellow pansies that I got to take home and plant.

My cake and gift table


Food Table


Punch and Drinks


Good friend Bill Hills and Geno Sposto, a former co-worker


My first boss, Dan Belling, the one who hired me into the Senior Center and we worked together for 8 years before he moved to City Hall.


Walter, our Maintenance Worker, who keeps the Senior Center up and running.


Ken Beight, our lovable co-worker, keeps everyone laughing and smiling.


Jean Socquet, my "second Mom" and neighbor, surprised me by coming. She is admiring the City placque I was given.


Eric, my 5 1/2 year old Grandson was all smiles!


My Granddaughter, Vanessa (3 in May) is more interested in the balloons.


Daughter, Ginger, with Eric and Vanessa. What a fun afternoon!!

Randy & Janna's Wedding

Meet the new Mr. & Mrs. Randy Langham

The handsome groom and beautiful bride were married in the Boise, Idaho, Temple on December 31, 2008, then a lovely reception was held for tons of family and friends. After many hugs, smiles, and pictures later, the happy couple left for their Honeymoon Cruise to the Cayman Islands aboard the Carnival Destiny.

Dressy evening aboard the cruise ship ... looks like they still like each other!

BROKEN LEG ...

It hasn't been a good start to the new year. On January 2nd, I fell (missed the last step) and broke my right leg, just above the ankle. I got fitted with a "Moon Boot" and crutches and will be hobbling around until the middle of February.
The GOOD news is I am RETIRING from the Downey Community and Senior Center the END of February!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!! Not much longer to go!! Looking forward to 'slowing down' (literally) and getting my back burner projects done. That's the silver lining in my cloud right now ~ ;-]

Randy & Janna

What a nice couple they make!! Randy is one lucky guy! Janna paid us a short visit a week ago. She flew in to LAX to spend the weekend seeing where Randy grew up, and of course, where his Dad now lives. Seems the wedding is all planned, Randy just has to show up. We think he can handle that! We're looking forward to the wedding in the Boise, Idaho, Temple on December 31, 2008 ... We'll be there ~

Our Kitty "Nikki"

With great sadness we lost our beloved Kitty on Friday, October 24, 2008. Nikki was 14 years old and developed a tumor in her mouth, under her tongue, and unable to eat. The vet who treated her was unable to do any more and we had to put her to sleep. We had been on vacation in Palm Springs and had her boarded at the vet due to her not eating, however, they called us on Tuesday to tell us about the tumor they found. We had a sad last couple of vacation days. They took care of her for us and after we got home, we saw her for the last time. We spent an hour saying our goodbyes, petting her and loving her one last time. We wanted to be in the room when they medicated her so she wouldn't feel like we were deserting her again. We got to hold her while she fell asleep. It was like we wanted, to be with her until the end and now she is out of pain. The doctor thinks she may also have had cancer. He said with cats symptoms come on quickly and then it's too late. She will be missed.

The "Neighborhood" Cat

This is how all the neighbors would find Nikki, sprawling on the sidewalk on her back, just begging to be petted. She was the neighborhood's favorite cat. Everyone stopped to pet her. She will be missed by all ... especially Mom ... she would run up to the car every time I pulled into the driveway and wait at the door to be let inside. What a void in our lives! I believe she will be waiting in Heaven at our front door for us to let her in when we get there ~

Sadie's Sealing

Meet our new Grandaughter, Sadie May Langham, 2 years old. She has been with her Mommy and Daddy, Chris and Michelle, since she was 4 months old, and now it's official! We went to Las Vegas for the weekend and on Saturday, September 27, Sadie was sealed to her family in the Las Vegas Temple, then on Sunday her Daddy blessed her. It was a wonderful trip.


This is Sadie's Mommy and Daddy, Chris and Michelle on their special day

Click here to see larger pictures of Sadie on her Special Day

L. A. Pomona Fair

We walked 'til we dropped, but we had fun! Definitely a must for next year!

Pigs and Chickens ... or ... Bacon and Eggs

This was some of what gets us 'city folk' excited ... farm animals!

L. A. Pomona Fair

We had a wonderful time on Wednesday, Sept. 17th, at the Fair. We went with the City of Downey on the Fair's "Senior Ditch Day"... now we qualify! What a great way to go. We only paid $15 each, which got us a bus ride, lunch and admission. We'll be doing more of those trips next year. This was the comfy coach bus we took.

Knott's Berry Farm

On Saturday, 9/13/08, we went to Knott's and had a fun time. It's been years since we have been there. We saw a western show, rode the trains, shopped and ate Mrs. Knott's famous chicken dinner! (Thanks, Andrew!)

Gary's New Camper Shell

Look at what Gary's smiling about! His new ... used ... shell, but hey, it's new to him and it's still in good condition. His old one didn't have a back window, so not only has he got a back window, but side windows that open also!

Mexican Riviera Cruise, 2008

New Windows are In!

Wow! Our new bedroom windows are in and lookin' good! It has been 32 years since the original home remodel when they were all put in. They got so old they wouldn't slide, and had broken screens, so it's great! The new windows have the square grid and are 'low E' which keeps the heat out. In all three bedrooms, we have a total of 4 large windows, one 6' slider and one bathroom window. But, we have to wait until Monday for the contractor to come back and drywall the inside and plaster the outside, then we get to paint! Well, that will be a bit later on, but for now we will need to get some window coverings ... keeping doors shut until then!

8 Day Mexican Riviera Cruise, 2008

New Windows??

Our contractor didn't arrive today! And here we spent yesterday evening and this morning moving everything away from all the windows in three bedrooms. Seems he had an emergency in Mexico and left at 1 am this morning. Plans are now to have his crew over tomorrow. Sure hope so. It's tough walking around the rooms with things not in the right place. Can't wait to get it done. I'm looking forward to having windows that will slide easily, especially our new sliding glass door which won't slide!

Here Goes ...

I guess we just jump in feet first and hope we can swim! This looks like it might be kind of fun if we can keep it going and enjoy the ride. We have a lot going on these next few months, but we are looking forward to all of them. We'll give a little more detail to the items on our list as we get use to how to edit it all. Stay tuned and we'll be back again soon!