Matthew's Clubhouse

80 Days

60 Ways

Our mom (and grandma) is special in sixty ways

1. She was born in La Canada, California in 1946.

2. Her father was an aircraft mechanic and co-pilot for oil companies.

3. Her father called everyone Champ or Sugar whereas he was referred to as Butch.

4. Her father had a tool for everything.

5. Later in life, her father could be found driving, folding his cash on a paper clip, vacuuming from the floor, or eating pinwheels (as well as ketchup with eggs and chicken-fried steak).

6. Her mother was one of eight children, whose family’s claim to fame was driving from Iowa to California in a homemade trailer.

7. She has lots of cousins.

8. Her mother was an “ideal” homemaker, often at the children’s schools and in the kitchen – though her mother didn’t teach her to cook.

9. Her first attempt at spaghetti was to pour warmed pasta sauce over uncooked noodles – good but crunchy; she later came to advance the technique of throwing boiled spaghetti against the wall to test its readiness.

10. Later in life, her mother enjoyed playing bridge, tending for her roses, and making favorite foods for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

11. She has two sisters: one older and one younger.

12. As children, her older sister would pin her arms.

13. Her older sister never left California and rarely travels too far from the state.

14. Her older sister has been an officer manager for most of her professional career.

15. She has two nephews through her oldest sister.

16. Her younger sister is known to have stuck Chapstick up her nose.

17. Her younger sister spent most of her adult life in California but now lives in Reno, Nevada.

18. Her younger sister has creative and artistic talent and has held several types of jobs – though often a hairstylist.

19. She grew up near her cousin Judy.

20. They had plans to marry Jan and Dean.

21. She has lived in six states in the United States (best estimate).

22. She attended John Muir High School (Pasadena, CA) with Sirhan Sirhan but graduated from Aurora Central High School (Colorado).

23. She received her BS from Northern Illinois University.

24. She is a Certified Public Accountant and Internal Auditor.

25. She received her MBA from DePaul University.

26. She received travel and paralegal certificates in preparation for retirement.

27. After over 20 years at NICOR, a gas utility company, working as an accountant, auditor, and analyst, she retired.

28. After two years of restful house painting, she took a “retirement” job at a different gas utility company.

29. She raised her children in Illinois.

30. She has one daughter who is caring and attentive to her family and job responsibilities.

31. Her daughter once enjoyed correspondence with family and friends, rowing, and water polo.

32. Her daughter now tries to appreciate the charms of her own daughters amidst the chaos.

33. Her daughter now holds a research position in Washington DC and values the opportunities to apply little pieces of her background in science/engineering and education while being informed of policy issues that may affect her children’s education.

34. She has one son who is devoted to his family and his son’s education.

35. Her son enjoys playing chess, creating family outings, and writing witty letters and websites.

36. As a mother, she passed along interests in travel, music, and sports to her children.

37. As a mother, she helped her children financially with strong support (and some guidance) for college expenses as well as retirement funds – not to mention the occasional gifts.

38. As a mother, she taught her daughter to appreciate 50s and 60s music, enjoy Mexican food, section grapefruit, and treat yourself.

39. As a mother, she took her son rafting on the Tully River in the rainforests of Australia.

40. She has a son-in-law who is driven to excellence in each of his pursuits.

41. Her son-in-law can often be found running codes on the computer, grumbling about others’ scientific or mathematical errors, watching and talking back to history programs and the news, eating, exercising, or tickling or chasing his daughters.

42. She has a daughter-in-law who is committed to her family, her son’s education, and her beliefs.

43. Her daughter-in-law can often be found teaching her son, playing with her son, or making tacos for her husband.

44. She has four grandchildren who are cute, polite, energetic, and eager to learn and help their parents.

45. Her grandson can often be found building something, reading novels, enjoying the outdoors, or playing games with his mom and dad.

46. Her oldest granddaughter can often be found doing Kindergarten projects, acting out school or recent movies, playing with her sisters or new friends, or helping her mom.

47. Her middle granddaughter can often be found with an enduring grin, ideas from her sister, hugs for mom and dad, and gummy bears.

48. Her youngest granddaughter can be found cooing, crying, or laughing at her sisters.

49. She enjoys traveling and visiting extended family and keeps a travel bag ready.

50. Frequent stops now include Virginia, California, and New York.

51. Special trips send her to Hawaii and cousin-reunions in Nevada and the Midwest.

52. She has continued to follow sports, particularly football and basketball, winning 7 titles in the SPAM Football pool and 3rd place ($50) in her first fantasy football league.

53. New activities include house painting.

54. Her favorite attractions are her children and grandchildren.

55. Her favorite foods include enchiladas, salads, and cookie dough.

56. Her favorite drinks include hot tea, ice tea, and margaritas.

57. Her favorite artists include Jan and Dean, Anne Murray, Neil Diamond, and Eddie Rabbitt.

58. Her favorite movies include anything with Robert Redford.

59. She likes beds made and clothes ironed.

60. She doesn’t like surprises but we enjoy surprising her anyway.