Workday Wednesday - Grandma Annette with her Work Buddies, San Lorenzo, CA - Circa 1956

Here is a photo of my Grandma (on the far left), Annette Roehm Connors, posing with her co-workers at the Kaiser Plant in San Lorenzo, CA. Not only a hard worker, but a mother of 4 children at this time, she still managed to help contribute to bring money in and take care of her 4 small children.

Happy 87th Birthday, Grandma Annette - Fashion & Style Edition!

My grandma turned 87 on January 3rd. I wanted to do a post about her life, but then I thought of something a little more fun! I thought of how she has always kept herself in tip top shape - pretty much her whole life.

This thought gave way to the idea of posting photos of her in (some of) her best fashion outfits throughout the years. She has always had a great sense of style and always has looked put together, as they call it. And, I must say, she had some great gams!

Annette holding her baby niece, Doris Jean, circa 1937-38, age 8-9, Wishek, ND, sporting a frilly dress and white shoes.

Annette was the 2nd youngest in her family, and all her siblings closest in age to her were brothers. She soon started to take on the role as the little Tom Boy in the family, and after this time, she became known as "Tommi." Tommi was also the name of the jeans she often war, such as above.

Annette in her either Junior High or Freshman year in High School, circa 1942-43, Richmond, CA, sporting a nice, warm jacket.

Annette posing for her brother, Alwin, sporting a cute floral dress and sweater, Richmond, CA.

Doris Roehm and Annette Roehm, sisters, but 14 years apart in age! Annette was outgrowing her Tom Boy clothes and growing up, sporting a stylish bathing suit, circa 1944-45.

Annette, at left, in the snow, sporting a cuffed sweatshirt and loose pants, circa 1946-47

Annette (center), wearing the fashionable shoes that were all the craze back in the 1940's, Richmond, CA.

Annette (at right) with her close friend, Opal, in front of their school, Richmond Union High.

Annette's High School Graduation photo, circa 1947.

Annette in Bear Lake, near Los Angeles, CA, in bathing suit, circa 1946-47. 

Annette with her 2nd born child, circa 1949.

 Annette showing off her legs for the camera, wearing a style fashionable for the early 1950's. 

Annette with her 1st husband, Frank, whom she had her four children with, circa 1956-57

 Vibert and Annette, her 2nd husband, on their wedding day, May 31st, 1959. She was wearing a fashionable short pleated dress, with small head piece.

 Annette, center, posting in front of the camera, wearing a common outfit, the shirt dress, circa 1959, in Valley City, North Dakota, visiting relatives. My mom is behind her, I believe.

Vibert and Annette, dressing the part of a classic Hollywood star, circa 1959.

 Annette, with her oldest daughter, Diane, and Vibert's mother, Beth, in Fremont, CA, circa 1966-67.

Heading into her 40's, and still dressing stylishly, in a cute double breasted blue coat, circa 1968-69

Wearing a cute pink striped shirt with a sailor tie and pink skirt, circa 1969.

Wearing a tan wool jacket, circa 1969, Fremont, CA.

 Wearing a white suited top and skirt, with Sash around it (cannot see in photo), circa 1969-70.

Vibert and Annette were going out on the town, Annette wearing a brocade like fabric short sleeved dress and matching jacket , circa 1968-69.

Annette posing again in a tan jacket and tweed skirt, circa 1969

Carole, Penny and Annette posing in May 1970, with my mom, Carole goofing off for the camera, Annette is wearing black shirt and brown pants.

Annette (far left), with daughter Carole, below her, with family, circa 1974, Annette wearing a laced sleeveless dress. 

Annette and Penny, circa 1974, Linden, CA. Annette wearing more casual bell bottoms and floral sleeveless top and belt that was made of coins.


Annette at a Las Vegas casino, circa 1974-75. She was being followed by a photographer for the casino,. . they thought she was a movie star and wanted to get pictures of one in their casino, according to the story relayed to me.

 Annette, Carole and Penny, dining out for the evening, circa 1976-77, Annette wearing a white wool coat lined with fur, with a red velvet dress and tapered white satin sides.

Annette dressing more casual, circa 1977-78

Annette, possibly attempting a Scarlett O'Hara effect, posing at the ranch, circa 1978-79

 Judy, Annette's daughter-in-law, and Annette's mother, Lydia, circa 1977, visiting in Washington, D.C., Annette is wearing a striped casual shirt with jeans.

Vibert and Annette, far left, posing with Carole and Dennis, with Dennis' parents, on their wedding day, September 1978. Annette is wearing a red, silky pantsuit.I also want to give a nod to my paternal grandmother for her pretty mint flowing dress.

Annette wearing a flowing light blue dress at the ranch, circa 1978-79.

Lydia, Carole and Annette, three generations, circa 1977-78, Annette wearing a red velvet dress with brocade top and straps.

Annette posing in front of her home at the ranch, circa 1980, wearing tan pants, red blouse and knitted vest.

 Annette, wearing a similar outfit as above, circa 1981

Me and my grandma Annette, circa 1990, Grandma wearing a light pink blazer with matching skirt and white blouse. Me, well, I was wearing a lace trimmed black dress and a bow in my hair.

Annette with her son's mother in law, Mary, Christmas 1995, wearing a black pantsuit and white top, and a fashion belt.

And, one of my favorite photos of my grandparents, Vibert and Annette, at Mother's Day brunch, circa 1992, with Annette wearing a gold blazer and white top. 

It's fun to take a step back and look at the fashion trends and see how everyone including my Grandma evolved their looks. It's cool to see how my Grandma decided to embrace each era's style that changed as she grew older. She chose what suited her body best and kept herself up to date, always looking her best. It took me a long time to notice just how fashionable she was until I started looking over many family photos. She wore classic cuts, and added some sparkles of trendy items, but kept it minimal. Thank you, Grandma, for being a chip off the fashion plate over the last 60+ years.

Fearless Females - My Mother

I saw this blogging prompt on Geneabloggers.com and it seemed like a wonderful idea.

I love discussing the wonderful women in my family - those who trail blazed, defied odds, did all they could to keep their families afloat during dire straits, and most of all, were loved by many and are still loved.

I wanted to showcase my own special fearless female in our family, my own mother. I seem to dwell more on my great grandparents and grandparents, but don't really get to talking about the one who is closest to me; my mother!

My mother was born on May 12th 1952 on a Monday at exactly 12pm. For years my Grandma said she was born on Mother's Day, but it was actually the day after Mother's Day.

My mom was born in Oakland, CA on what they called P Hill or Pea Hill. I think the hospital has since been torn down. Growing up, she and her siblings lived all over the San Francisco Bay Area. My grandfather had many different jobs that kept them moving a lot. One of their more stable homes was on Myrtle Drive, Concord, CA. I think this is where she had some of her first memories. They were friends with the Brown kids and there are many pictures of my mom and her siblings with these kids.

Then the kids were uprooted once more. My mom has always boasted she moved 21 times before she was 21.

When my mother's parents divorced in 1959, my grandmother took full custody of the children. My grandfather did not like this very much. He attempted to kid-nap my Uncle, but returned him unharmed (I am unsure of what got my uncle back to my Grandmother, but I am sure the police were involved). My Grandma lived with her mother for sometime in order to regroup.

During this time, my Grandmother reconnected with an old flame and they were married that same year. They knew each other due to my grandma's sister being married to his older brother; so they were technically in-laws. During this time, the family had a new life in a new town and home. They grew up in Linden, CA for about 4 years. My mother has many fond memories of this time spent here. Linden is in the middle of a large farming community, so my mother loved going through the tomato patches and eating the big beef stake tomatoes. She made new friends and began to have a more stable life. However, that was to change.

In 1963, the family moved once again to Fremont, CA (a city which is considered part of Silicon Valley). They moved to Starlite Hills. This would be mother's final move until she left home in the early 1970's. She made many more new friends and had fun neighbors. She lived a very suburban 1960's life. She had a crush on the boy next door. She became a cheerleader all throughout high school and graduated in 1970. She was to marry her high school sweet heart, but it did not work out.

After high school, she went to a trade school college and graduated as a medical assistant. This prompted her to move out and work first at Eden Hospital in Castro Valley in the Emergency Room. After a few years there, she moved on to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek.

And, then she met my father in 1977. They were married in 1978. After two kids and 15 years of marriage, unfortunately, my parents parted ways.

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I have looked up to my mother for many reasons - the strength she had to keep working through a lot of pain, to stand up for what is right when confronted with issues, to confront injustice, look for the best in all people despite their shortcomings, to remain positive despite lots of things going against her way, to give of her time to listen to others and be uplifting, to stand up for what is right and what she believes in.

To me, this makes her one heck of a fearless female.

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Here are a few photos of my mother "mommy" over the years:

About 6-7 months old

1st Birthday and first steps 

1st Birthday cake celebrated at the Ranch in Brentwood, CA.

About 5 years old

About 7 years old

About 7-8 years old with step-grandma Beth Purviance.

About 1 1/2 years old with her mother, and siblings holding her hand - cousins are on far left

One of very few photos with her biological father, circa 1956

About age 7-8 with siblings, circa 1959-1960

In Linden, CA, circa 1961-62, with their mother (above) and step-father (below)

 With baby ducks, circa 1960-61, my mother is on the far left

Blossoming into a pretty lady, my mother is in the middle with her sister on the left and mother Annette on the right.

My mother is the second bridesmaid from the right. This was my Aunt's wedding in 1969 at the Weibel Winery.

My grandmother Annette, my mother and aunt, circa 1976

My mother with a family friend, circa 1974

My mother in January of 1978, with my Dad, in what was likely a first meeting of family for them. Lydia is next to my Dad and great aunt Izetta is on the right.

My mom and dad with my mom's cousin Cindee, in January 1978

My mother in the early 1980s.