Annette says that life is so full of changes . . . she loves rainbows and is always reminded that it takes "the good and the not-so-good" to create the beautiful rainbows! One thing, though, that never changes is her appreciation and love for her family and friends!!
As of the 50th high school reunion, Annette enjoys being back in Eugene and lives about four miles from Darla and her family, so she gets to enjoy them on a daily basis. Being a Hospice Volunteer, volunteering on the Mom Baby Unit at Sacred Heart Hospital, singing with a Senior Choir (who performs at facilities three to four times a week and have practice on Fridays), serving on the Homeowner's Association Board, being in church activities, learning Yoga, attending Red Hat Society, doing "random acts of kindness" . . . keeps her busy. She may be tired at the end of the day, but has made a positive difference in the lives of other people including hers.
Her family:
Derek (son) and Debbie have lived in Phoenix, AZ for three years and both are busy with their jobs and with three grand dogs (Bichons), Cheech, Buddy, and Dizzle. In addition, they are active in the Bichon Small Paws Rescue Organization (
www.smallpawsrescue.org); they foster dogs and help find permanent homes for the dogs. Debbie is also taking classes at night.
Darla (daughter), Rob, Chad and Ryan are leading busy lives, too. Rob and Darla work and are active parents in all of the boys' activities. Darla too is taking classes at night. Grand dogs are Cosmo and Jack (Shitzu and Poodle mix).
Chad is 13 years old and is in eighth grade (straight A student!). He completed his First Degree Black Belt in Karate December '06. Fall of '07, he played football; his team played on the college fields at the U of O and OSU. What fun! He is active in the church, is involved with Confirmation Class, sings in two choirs at the school, served on the Peer Teen Court, is an avid reader (and he remembers everything he reads!). He is interested in becoming an attorney.
Ryan is 10 years old and in fourth grade (straight A student!). He will earn his Karate Conditional Black Belt Degree in 2008 and will complete the Degree in 2009. He was Water Boy for Chad?s football team and he did an excellent job? Ryan will be playing basketball, too. Ryan is an excellent reader but he prefers to work with his hands. Since the age of two years, he has been reading Lego diagrams and building very complicated kits; he uses the computer to create his own designs. He is interested in becoming an architect.
Here are a couple things to ponder:
?The happiest people don?t necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything they have.?
?Life isn?t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.?
(2008)
