Spouse:

I married Rick Lappen right out of high school and we had two great kids. We divorced after eleven years but are still good friends today. Met and married the love of my life Joe Parrish. We had 27 wonderful years together. In 2000 he passed of lung cancer. In 2003 I Married my husband Jim.

Family Life:

I physically had two children, Tamera and Todd. Joe and I also raised two of his kids so we had four teenagers at the same time. House was never quiet during those wonderful years. I have nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Career:

I worked for Signetics/Philips Semiconductors/NXP for 33 years. Started out working for Source Inspectors a few years, was then secretary to a VP for seven years. Was transferred into the Security Dept. in 1987 and became the Company Investigator within one year. Loved this job and really hated to retire in 2007. We also owned twenty-two yellow cabs in Silicon Valley. When Joe passed I had to decide if I wanted to be a cab lord or an Investigator. Investigator won so I sold the cab company.

Residences:

Jim and I moved to Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico in 2007 when we retired. We sold both of our houses in Silicon Valley, got rid of stuff, shipped important things and some furniture and came to Chapala. We purchased a house and did extensive remodeling to make it ours. What a nightmare when you don't speak the language. in 2010 Jim decided he wanted to move to Arizona. We put the house on the market but since we have so much invested in the house and the market dipped it didn't sell. Thank goodness as I never wanted to leave Mexico. After being in California for ten weeks early this year he realized we didn't want to go back to the rat race. We are now here to stay.

Travel:

Joe and I spent a month in Australia in 1999 following the Sprint Cars. I am so glad we didn't wait until we retired as he passed the following year. Jim and I have been on six cruises. We would go over the Christmas/New Years holiday so we avoided the hustle and bustle with so many different family members. Living here in Chapala is like being on a full time vacation. Now we visit family and friends in California and Washington.

Hobbies/Interests:

Joe and I were heavy into Open Wheel Sprint Car Racing, however Jim dislikes them so that hobby ended in 2003. I now enjoy playing Bunco and Mexican Train at least six times every month.

Retirement:

We do what we want when we want. Maid comes three days a week, gardener two days a week and the handy man one day a week. Life is good for us here.

Final Words:

Live each day to the fullest. We never know about tomorrow. Come for a visit.