Arlene PETERSON Dare

After graduation I stayed in the Los Angeles area, working at various office jobs, being married and having my two sons Scott and Chris, until 1968 when we moved and made Sacramento our home.

Now moving to Sacramento, it's no surprise I wound up working with lobbyist. I retired 12/07 from a busy law office as their administrator. I was honored with a Senate Resolution touting all my good deeds when I "graduated" into retirement. Although I loved my work, I truly do not miss the rat-race at our State Capitol - whew, I did that for 33 years.. retirement is wonderful.

Congratulations to those of you who are still married to your high school sweethearts. For me it didn't work out that way, it took several tries before I found my "keeper". Jerry and I have been married for five years, (7 years together) and life truly keeps getting better and better. I guess I had to save the best for last. Two of our children live close, Jerry's daughter Jody and her adorable 2 year old Natalie, my son Chris, his wife Denise and their cute twins Erik and Alyssa, 3 months. Being a grandma is just the best, I love it. My son Scott, his wife, also named Denise, live in so cal with their teenagers Zachary and Stephanie.

Jerry has a few years left before he retires, so I'm staying happy being a homemaker, mom and grandma. My sister and best friend Marie, Class of '56, lives in Visalia - we get together as often as possible, and have gone to family reunions in Utah and Idaho, and of course in the L.A. area. Most of all, we get together to shop, eat and talk, either her home or mine. Jerry and I go to the coast for our relaxation, we both love it. Growing up in Montebello, so close to the beach, it wouldn't be right if I couldn't put my toes in the water every now and then. Jerry is originally from Indiana, he and I met while living in the same apartment complex in Folsom - we got married on the stairway between his place and mine. A year ago we moved into our home in Citrus Heights, about 10 miles closer to our grandkids.

All in all I must say my life thus far has been a whole lot of fun. It's not all been easy,and I definitely have been blessed. It took a while, but I'm here.

What I remember about high school (and who knows why this memory stuck) is swimming class and learning water ballet, which I still perform occasionally, haha. I have always liked sports, played volleyball and softball in women's leagues, and even took a Jujitsu class at age 60. I only went as far as a yellow belt, but again, it was fun.