Sun - August 1, 2004

Jo Ann & Jim She is so sweet! Doesn't Jim look good? That's my boy!

Posted at 10:53 AM    

Sat - July 31, 2004

Some people who I love very much!

Nancy Clark, James Wolden, Sheriff Carona, Freida Wolden (that's me), Gene Wolden

Posted at 10:09 AM    

Fri - July 9, 2004

This is us when we were married!

July 9th was our anniversary! Ahhhh How time flys! We were about to take a bus to Las Vegas to get married when I broke my finger on a kitchen chair. My hand and fingers were so swollen and I was smiling but about ready to pass out!! It was an omen I think! hehe Well it worked out okay cause we have been together for 38 years despite his old age! hehe Gene is 18 years older than me.

Posted at 11:15 PM    

A picture of us 38 years later!

What a great day this was! Gene and I still smiling in our old age! We are soul mates forever!



It's hard to believe that so much time has passed. So many good memories that out weight the bad. Lots of give and take and plenty of forgiveness is what keeps us together. I'm so lucky to have been loved by him! Geez, I just made myself cry!

Posted at 11:15 PM    

Wed - June 23, 2004

Happy Birthday Robert! You'll always be our Prince!

On June 23rd, 1970, . . . .

Gene and I were blessed with a our son Robert (bobby then) Gene. In fact, Robert was a fathers day present to Gene! Jimmy (Gene) our older son was born three years earlier and was a mothers day present to me. Kinda tricky huh!

Robert, Someday I know we will see you again. It's been a two long years and 4 months since your father or I have seen or talked with you. We know you and Chea have moved to Maryville, Tennessee. That's so far away from Anaheim CA. I just want to say to you that whatever the problem is, we can work it out. There is no way that the love your mother and father have for you can not be with you at all times. And no matter how mad and hurt you are, I know that in time you will understand that we love you so and miss you with all of our heart! We will be waiting for you to come home to us, if even for a short little visit. In the meantime, we will always have good memories of you ! Happy Birthday Son! You will always be our baby and make us smile when we think of you!

To My Sons

When you were very, very small
I used to dance with you cradled in my arms
You were my precious little angels
And holding you close
Love overwhelmed me

I wondered what kind of life you would lead
What would be your first word, your first job
What kind of men you would become
And if your life would take you far from me

And I'd even hold you closer
Giving you an extra kiss, an extra hug
And whispering, "I Love You" one more time
Knowing you were too small to remember
But, praying you would never forget

There are days when I long to hold you
In my arms and dance to Barry Manilow again
And watch your huge smiles and hear your laughter
As you play with the doggies, the lego's, the video games
And making up funny songs in the car

Although I miss my little boys
I am so proud of everything you are
And of the men you have become
My love for you still overwhelms me

As we all grower older
Please never forget
What you were too small to remember.


You can call us anytime son at 714-484-0999. We will be overjoyed to hear your voice!

Posted at 08:51 AM    

Fri - May 14, 2004

Happy Birthday James! You'll always be my baby!

Click read more

Posted at 11:32 AM    

Sun - May 9, 2004

Mothers Day Today! My happy and sad thoughts.

Happy Mothers Day to all my friends who have experienced the the wonderful gift of motherhood. When I visit my friend Hilda's house I experience a flashback of early 1970's when our kids were little. She has two boys 2 and 5. It warms my heart at her house. I remember the laughter and craziness of motherhood when I'm there.

I have never before or since experienced....................Press Read More

such pure joy, have never smiled as much, or felt so much of a purpose to my life as when my kids were little. My 2 sons were my companions, singing partners, business partners, new wonders discovery team and to be honest, just made life important to me. My husband worked swing shift and 6 days a week.

I tried to be a good mother. You know it's not an easy thing to do when you are young. Your own needs get in the way sometimes. Like hugs for example. I loved hugging my kids and singing to them when they were little. But I needed to be hugged too and they gladly hugged back. Of course they never missed the hugs so they don't have that need when they grow up. It's funny how you work so hard to give them the things, like toys and goodies, that you never had when you were little. But what happens is, they never missed the stuff, so they don't think of this stuff the same way you do.

I miss my mama! The thing about getting older is that you realize that your mother had problems to deal with also. My mother did her best and if she was alive today I'd look at her with different experienced eyes. I'd hug her and see her. I did forgive her before she died in 1992, for what I thought she had done to me on purpose when I was young. But I was born in 1947 so that's a long time to be mad at your mother. Times I regret.

So what do I wish for this Mother's Day 2004. I wish my mom was here. I wish my husband, father of our two sons was here. I wish my oldest son James was here. I wish my son Robert was here. I wish we could have a group hug and play Uno (card game) in the back yard and talk about things not important and laugh and hug some more, and some more, and some more!

But my mom is dead. Oh, I know she is in my head and in my memories but you can't hug that. My husband is here like a rock, thank god. My oldest son James said he'd stop by, I'll hug him the moment he walks through the door, if he does. And my son Robert won't be here. Why, because he is mad at me and hasn't spoken to me for two years. That's a long time to be mad at any mother. But what I'd give to be able to hug him just once more.

So, I have been writing this at 10 am on Mothers Day ready to face another Mother's day with not a word from my sons, yet. No mother to hug. I do have a wonderful husband who tries to make me feel better by making me laugh and he does. But I still miss my mom and my kids.

I was a good mother, the best I could be!

Posted at 10:35 AM    

Tue - April 6, 2004

Here's a Picture of my son Robert & his wife Chea! I miss them both. They live in Tennessee now!

So they probably will never see this picture! If you are ever in Maryville TN stop in and kiss them for me!

Posted at 04:47 PM    

Some Pictures I just ran across

This is Ashley my Granddaughter and me. Isn't she beautiful?

Posted at 04:41 PM    

Mon - December 22, 2003

Sat - November 22, 2003

Thanksgiving, SO, What Do I Have to Thankful For?

Looking back, 56 years, so what I have to be thankful for? You know Joseph Campbell said to follow your bliss. I look back and I can say that I have had a blessed and blissful life! I am mostly thankful for the lessons I have learned. Mostly the hard way! hehe At my age I still have a wonder, curiosity and a sort of innocence towards learning new things. And in the worst moments I have found I have "One True Friend" and that's me. I can put my arms around the little girl inside me and give her a big hug. Take her hand and say "I Believe in You" sweetie. Come on honey, get up now! Let's go! You'll be okay.

You know, I like me now. I don't mind if I put my picture on here for the world to see my big butt and gray hair. A few years ago I wouldn't have. Take a good look at my wrinkles and age spots, I earned every one of them. My chubby cheeks came to me as a gift of being born in a land of plenty. I took advantage of the gift maybe, but I have no regrets and nothing to be ashamed of.

In my life, I have Loved Deeply! My husband, my sons, my doggies, my friends, my students, my community! And I am to thankful to have been loved deeply by them.

Right now, I have this overwhelming urge to send a message of love to my sons (36 & 33), who I love so very much. Here's a poem inspired by a poem written by Kathryn Higginbottom Gorin from a book, Thoughts to Share With a Wonderful Son. I have changed the some of the words to reflect my thoughts;

To My Sons

When you were very, very small
I used to dance with you cradled in my arms
You were my precious little angels
And holding you close
Love overwhelmed me

I wondered what kind of life you would lead
What would be your first word, your first job
What kind of men you would become
And if your life would take you far from me

And I'd even hold you closer
Giving you an extra kiss, an extra hug
And whispering, "I Love You" one more time
Knowing you were too small to remember
But, praying you would never forget

There are days when I long to hold you
In my arms and dance to Barry Manilow again
And watch your huge smiles and hear your laughter
As you play with the doggies, the lego's, the video games
And making up funny songs in the car

Although I miss my little boys
I am so proud of everything you are
And of the men you have become
My love for you still overwhelms me

As we all grower older
Please never forget
What you were too small to remember.

Thanksgiving Day I will miss you both! But I'll think about you all day and remember you with love!
Happy Thanksgiving Sons!

Posted at 12:11 PM    

Fri - November 14, 2003

Another Picture of me when I was little. Little Freida! Thanks Mikki!

I remember this dress! I must have been about 7 or 8? I remember Tweed perfume too. Do they still make that? Mama took me to have my hair done downtown. We went out to eat at Shannon's restaurant. hmmm I wonder if that is still in Davenport, Iowa?

Posted at 02:53 PM    

Mon - November 3, 2003

I Talked Earlier About Camping Up at Big Bear When The Kids Were Little

Here's some pictures of our camping trips to Big Bear and the Desert out past Barstow. We use to go to old ghost towns to. I have lots of pictures of those and will share them soon.

Posted at 03:03 PM    

Here's an Old Picture I Found of a Thanksgiving Day Gathering Around 1990

From Left to Right Back Row First: Blake, Who is Claire's Husband. Claire who is Gene's first wife's daughter, Gene, Little Girl & Pixel (Doggies), Robert (son), Freida, Michelle who is Jim's ex-wife, Jim(son). Front row: Christopher (Jim & Michelle's Kid (Grandson)), Rachel (Claire's daughter), Ashley (Jim & Michelle's Kid (Grandson)), Sara (Claire's daughter). This picture was taken around 1990 or so.

Posted at 02:51 PM    

Mon - October 27, 2003

Okay, Now my mind is starting to click about my past.

Things starting to come back to me about my mother. Maybe one of you (my new family) can help me fill in the pieces.

This is a picture of my mother getting married to Charles Randolph. I believe she had just divorced my dad, I mean our dad about that time. I was 2 or 3 at the time. I know this because I just discovered an old Bible that was ruined over the years by water damage. I had kept this Bible just because my mother wanted to past it on to her grandsons. I started to throw it away but thought I'd look in front first. She had written about a baby she had named, Charles Daniel Creighton, in the book. I don't understand who was the father but the name points to Charles. The date of birth is April 9, 1950, then she had written another date by his name Dec 20, 1950 or '49. I think she divorced him soon after. I do recall lots of screaming between them!

I remember her saying that the baby was born with a disability and would never get better. It those dates are correct he could have died 8 months later. I started to have all these memories about her falling on the baby and then years later we visited a house where there was a kid in a wheel chair. Sometimes I thought she might have given him up for adoption. So maybe I have a brother from my mothers side of the family. My mom never talked about it with me. She died in 1992 on my birthday.

There must be a birth certificate and there could be a death certificate if he really did die.
Here we go again, my awesome sister, Judie! Your the retired detective. Let's go investigate!

Freida

Posted at 06:07 PM    

Fri - October 24, 2003

Oldest Son Jim

Here's a picture of my oldest son Jim. Cute huh!
Where are you Jim? I Love You!

Posted at 11:17 PM    

This is me when I was little.

I have never seen only a few pictures of myself when I was little. Now I am beginning to receive some from my connected family and friend Mickie from back in Davenport.

Posted at 05:07 AM