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.

Throwback Thursday - When I was a Wee Tot

Well, I don't have too many photos that I show of myself on here, but thought I'd share a few of me from the 1980s, when I was a tiny little girl (yes, I have been pretty much tiny my whole life, all 5 feet of me!).

As I grow older, I am finding so much of my childhood slipping away and it can be a scary thought. Driving through my old town I grew up in, I see buildings that are no longer there. I see stores and restaurants that are no longer there. Yet, I do see many places that seem untouched from certain times in my life and it can feel a little eerie to see them and feel as if I am stepping back in time.

These pictures capture that time where many things that were around me seemed like they'd always stay that way, but slowly, they started to disappear.

My cousin Melissa and I at the ranch, circa 1987 (me, age 5 and Melissa, age 4)

Krissy and Scott, playing games after swimming, circa 1986 - The brown shag carpet, the bunk bed, the bedding, the games and the small TV! All this evokes an era that is mostly lost to any kid born after 1995 or so. The carpet used to feel so plush between your toes. I think my brother and I were playing Chutes and Ladders, along with having an Etch-a-Sketch. I remember my brother used to like playing Battleship, and I always got confused with it, but always had fun moving the little pegs and seeing things light up on it.

Easter 1990 - At Golden Hills Church (before it became a church, worship was held at a storage unit on Sunset Dr in Antioch) - I am in the front, with a light pink dress, next to my cousin Tiffany to the right and Melissa on the left.

Krissy touching the birthday Pinata, Scott's 10th Birthday, August 1989 - I was 7 years old and wow, I had some killer abs back then! My brother's party was Batman themed, which was the hit movie that Summer (yes, the Michael Keaton Batman!) One of the items that we had until not too long ago was the big screen TV in the background. We gave it up around 2006. It lasted a long time, nearly 22 years! I used to love how my mom did the streamers for our parties. She really knew how to prepare for a good party! We always had so much fun decorating the night before, and then preparing for everyone to come over the next day, tip toeing around the house, making sure to not mess up the freshly vacuumed carpet or soil the kitchen - the calm before the storm :)

If Summer days could last forever...

Summer is fast approaching us. Summer, as a child, was my favorite time of year, because it's the only time you'll get off for three months of having no duties whatsoever. It's the most carefree time of your life. If only at that age we didn't take it for granted and could put into full perspective just how important those three quick months are.

Wonderful times during Summer always make me think of swimming for hours on end in our in-ground Doughboy pool, the smell of fresh paint in our hall ways after my mom would use Glidden Antique White to paint over areas that needed it, the smell of clorox and soap when my mom would mop the kitchen floor clean, the husking of farm fresh corn from our local farm stands, having endless sleepovers, making up skits, playing school, making forts to sleep in over night, having sock wars, singing oldies songs in the car into the wee hours of the night, making houses out of card board boxes, playing barbies all day and afternoon and even into the night, playing ball outside and flying kites in the front yard, dancing around the house for no reason, playing video games against my brother and kicking his butt, watching the Summer Olympics, eating ice cream and watching fire works on the 4th of July.

Yes, Summer is like the time of your life when your a kid. When I was younger, we generally had full traditional school schedules where we still started school in early September instead of the mid-August schedule that most schools follow now. Because of this, Labor Day was usually our last hurrah for any kind of last minute fun. When I was 6 in 1988, our parents planned a trip to Disneyland. It was my first time and I was super excited. My Dad had gone to Disneyland as a child, too, and had fond memories of it.

My mom had ordered a special Minnie Mouse jacket and I couldn't wait to wear it to Disneyland. When we got to Disneyland, I remember some specific details - watching the Electric parade, climbing up the Smith Family Robinson Tree House (now it's Tarzan's Tree House), riding in the Mad Tea Party Tea Cups, hopping aboard the Monorail, riding the Matterhorn ride 5-6 times at night with my mom and brother, going on the Dumbo ride with my mom, and I even remember going on Space Mountain and watching Captain EO (I remember it was so full that we had to stand towards the back to watch it and we couldn't get the full effect of it). The big and new ride at the time was Star Tours. I remember waiting for what seemed like an eternity to go on that ride. But, I loved it.

I was a precocious child. I saw a lot of detail in things that many children my age may have overlooked. I'd remember years later the sign of the "French Market" in Orleans Square always fascinated me. I'd remember distinctly the smell of "Pirates of the Caribbean" and most of all, I was very fascinated with the dancing ghosts in the dining room on "Haunted Mansion." These memories, and many more, left lots of indelible impressions in my mind.

And so, with returning home from Disneyland, came the inevitable reality that school was about to start. I'd always feel a bit down about school starting. I knew once my mom starting taking me to Target to purchase school supplies and a new pencil box to hold my supplies in, look for a new backpack and start ordering uniforms for us (we went to a private school), that Summer was coming to a close. Nevertheless, once the school year would start, I'd find myself back with my old friends - with some new ones coming on board, and realizing a few not returning. Our teacher would walk in, and now the fresh smell of newly sharpened pencils would fill the air. Yes, Summer was officially over.

But, year after year, I'd reflect back on one great Summer after another. Each one of them presented new and exciting fun times. I am very thankful and lucky to have had wonderful Summers that felt like they could last forever, and sometimes when I think back on them, they really have stood the test of time, and in essence, do live on forever in my mind.

Travel Tuesday - Tri-cycling Travels circa 1985-86

Okay, this is a bit of a stretch for a Travel Tuesday, but it does involve a mode of transportation, right?

I was about 3 1/2 to 4 years old in this photo. It holds a special memory for me because it's one of my first significant memories and it was the first time I remember going to my brother's school to see him parade in his bike. My mom loved to put me in pig tails and put bows in my hair. I always felt all dolled up. I would eventually go to this same school the following year and leave after 4th grade.

I think I was testing the tri-cycle out for fun, but it was really for my brother to ride.

Fearless Females - {Birthday Edition}: Lydia Herr Roehm Murphy - Born March 20th - Part 3

Lydia's life was already so full of good times with friends and family, you would think that nearing 80 years old, she might have said to herself "I think I will take a rest." But, Lydia didn't quite understand what rest meant. I believe her to be a restless soul. Constantly full of many interests and hobbies.

During the 1960's she took up many new hobbies - one was as cake maker and designer. She made many event wedding, birthday, christening/baptism, and various other cakes. She made a lot of her grandchildren's wedding cakes, often very large and opulent ones.

She also became interested in "rock hound" activities, befriending a townswoman in Brentwood who collected rare rocks.

After Bill Murphy's passing in May of 1973, Lydia had even more free time on her hands. Only living on her own on a very large ranch, Lydia lived in her own home until the early '80s, until she moved in with her daughter Annette.

But, between the early 1970s and early 1980s, Lydia and Annette would travel all over the US and even to Hawaii (even though Lydia's motto was always that she thought your feet belonged on the ground, she still took a chance and flew).

Here are some photos during this time:

One of Lydia's big and beautiful cakes at my Aunt Penny's Wedding, circa 1969, at Wiebel Winery.

Lydia, (Aunt) Diane, (Gr. Aunt) Izetta and her daughter Cindee, (my mom) Carole and (step-great grandfather) Bill Murphy, circa 1967

Carole, Bill Murphy and Lydia, at Annette's home in Fremont, CA, circa 1969-70.

Joyce, Izetta, Annette and Lydia cutting a cake at Lydia's house, circa 1968-69

Annette, Lydia and Izetta at Lydia's home, circa 1970-71

Lydia at her daughter Annette's home, circa 1974-75

Lydia and Mrs. Edith Ordway (at Edith's home in San Francisco), circa 1978

Lydia with all of her grandchildren (and great grandchildren) from daughter Annette, circa 1979

Annette, Lydia and Viola Schubert, circa 1981, in Washington state

The 1980's saw Lydia slowing down a little more. In 1981, she was diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Even still, she still made attempts to attend birthdays, weddings, and any other parties. 

On a personal note, I only remember Lydia just a few times. I remember her coming to our house when I was maybe 4 or almost 5. My Grandma was bringing her over to visit, but it was a short visit. Lydia seemed so regal to me. My Grandma would do up her hair into a beautiful bouffant cloud of white hair and would always dress her up nicely. She looked like a queen. She just needed a crown. 

I don't really remember Lydia's passing as I was just about to turn 5 years old when she passed away on May 4th 1987. The details surrounding her death left my Grandma heartbroken. My grandma (Annette) took her to our local hospital because Lydia was having breathing issues. They hospitalized her for a few days and said she had a UTI. The night Lydia passed away, the doctor's assured my grandma that Lydia would make it through the night, so she (and other family members) went home, with a bad feeling in their stomachs. One part I need to confirm is that Lydia either yelled out my Grandma's name as she left or murmured it as she passed away. Lydia's time of death would be 4am on May 4th 1987.

With Lydia's death, there was the strength of a matriarch in our family that was now missing. Her daughter, Annette, has carried on the torch to take care of the ranch and live out the rest of her days there. But, until this day, my Grandma mourns her mother's death, even at the age of 86, she still feels lost without her. 

Thank you, Great Grandma Lydia for being a rock in our family, making wise decisions and for your loving heart. You are not forgotten. 

Lydia and Annette, circa 1985

Lydia at the ranch, circa 1981

Source: Visit Lisa Alzo's great blog, which is the source for the Fearless Female blog prompt, http://www.theaccidentalgenealogist.com/