My daughter Samantha is 16 and a Sr. in High School. She was born in Culver City, California, in July, 1984. In 1st grade, her teacher noticed that she was very bright and very BORED. So she requested that she be tested for the G.A.T.E. (Gifted and Talented Education) program. The GATE teacher, balked at the idea of testing a 1st grader for entrance to the program. So Samantha's teacher had her tested for advanced placement. Sam's test results were so high, that they skipped her to 2nd grade. Immediately, her teacher again requested the GATE program entrance exam. This, the child passed with flying colors. The examiner said that she had never encountered a child so young and so logical before. She also said that Sam had scored the highest she had ever seen in this grade bracket. Sam was 6 years old at the time.
Sam is quite the kid. She is my daughter, my buddy, my "therapist," and I love her very much. She also has a website, please visit it. Its quite humorous and though, she is still working on it, its filled with her thoughts, dreams, and a cutting wit. You can click on this link and go there: Sam's Page. Samantha lives with me in Oregon.
I have a son, Brendan. He was born in Palmdale, California, in April, 1988. He is in the 7th grade, an avid skateboarder with aspirations of becoming the next Tony Hawk. He lives with his father in California. He enjoys websurfing, Playstation, Nintendo 64, and riding his bike. He is another Jim Carrey in the making. One of his crazy skits is "Pigeon Boy". I have been told by his teachers that he is brilliant in his studies, but lacks the attention span. His father and I think he may have A.D.D. (Attention Deficiet Disorder), which would explain the way he changes the subject, eh? I am hoping his father will allow him to come up here and visit us someday soon. I miss him, I miss how he feels, I miss the smell of his hair, his skin, I miss his hugs. I miss how he says, "I love you mom."
My mother, Kunie (rhymes with Looney...hahaha) now lives with us here in Oregon. She was born in Japan (so was I). Mom is an avid gardner with an incredible green thumb. She is a fantastic cook. When I was a little girl, she used to make up stories for me..one in particular that I still cherish in my heart is: Pinki-chan and Pionko-chan. They were sister and brother bunnies on an outing to visit their grandmother. They had many adventures. She also illustrated cartoons for me. I just wish I had the insight back then to keep them. *sigh*
During WWII, her mother would sneak food to the "Yank" P.O.W.'s, knowing that if she were caught it would be considered treason. For this, I am truly proud of my heritage.
My father, Hal (rhymes with Pal.. hahahahahahaha), lives in Pasadena with my step-mom, Marietta. They are soon celebrating their 16th wedding anniversary. He was born in Chicago, Illinois to Marjorie and Harold . He is an avid artist with an incredible ability to capture the soul in his paintings and sketches. My step-mom is also an artist in her own right. She has had her art in "shows" and I am hoping someday she honors me with one of them. My father has a brother Robert, who lives in Northern California. He recently found my dad after YEARS of not seeing each other. I plan on trying to contact him.
My fiance Don (with whom Sam and I live) is a wonderful man. Wise beyond his 44 years. He was born and raised here in Oregon. He is an avid dragracer, and is currently working on building his "1972 Chevy Nova." I can hardly wait to see it gooooooo... vroooooooommmmm... He loves to spend his free time outdoors: fishing, camping...you name it. Please see Don's Page (currently under construction. Sorry) for pictures of the Nova...
He has beautiful blue eyes and a smile that could melt the coldest heart. Can you tell I am truly in love? Not by much huh? :o) Don is a direct decendent of "Buffalo Bill Cody" and you can see it in his face. He is highly trained in martial arts, so I am never afraid when I am with him. He likes to tease me and calls me "Two Moons" (no, not cuz I have a large butt). I will go into that later...... MUCH later... lol.
Don and I plan on being married in August 2001. It will be a very proud and happy day for me.
I have a "grandson" named Vincent. He will be a year old in March and sooooo smart. I really love that kid. Can't wait to spoil him rotten as grandma's often do. Then I'll send him home for his mom and dad to deal with... hahahahaha.
I have a brother John, he's 10 years younger than I, we are pretty close.. He is married to Deana, they have 2 great kids. My niece Corrine, is a smart little kid, kinda reminds me of Samantha when she was young. My nephew Mathew is a hoot, he has A.D.H.D. (Attention Deficiet, Hyper-Active, Disorder and is on medication and doing quite well... They all live in Colorado.
Part of my "new" family is Don's Mom June, Grandma Cody, Aunt and Uncle Flo and Clyde, Aunt and Uncle LaVirl and Bill, Aunt and Uncle Della and Marvin,, and Sister Rose.... I am quite attached to them all. They have accepted Samantha and I into the family with open arms and I love them all.
We have two cats: Neko, a cute 2 Year old cat (he thinks he's a 2 year old child with puppy dog tendencies) and Socks (Sam's cat that we call "Schizo Kitty").
To view pictures of my family (I am still working on that page) please go to: Photographs and Memories.
