Betty G., and her granddaughter Maddie, who is in the middle there, with her oldest friend since they were just babies...Annie, (next to Betty), who is here in Los Angeles visiting Maddie for a few days having come down from Marin County....And then, next to Maddie is Andrew Lesser, Jacquie Scott Lesser's son....And dear Jacquie right next to him.....A kind of wonderful old "Gunsmoke" of Jacquie's was on TVLAND, the afternoon before New Years Eve, and I just happened on it by accident....She sure was and still is, such a truly good and special actress!
And above....Gene Lesser, Jacquie's husband and Andrew's father, and then Craig Curtis in the middle, and dear talented Earl Holliman over on the right----both Craig and Earl had been sick with very bad colds for the past three New Years, and therefor unable to be here, so this was their first New Years here, since then...Both of them "well", I'm happy to say....! Hooray, Hooray!
And above.....the very beautiful talented Karen Culliver Parks and her husband, the very handsome Garrett Parks, Betty and Larry's oldest son and the parents of the 'first granddaughter', the very beautiful Maddie, who we have just seen above, and who will turn 13 on January 12th and is now 5'6" tall, with legs that won't quit!
And there above is the beautiful Katy Melody Parks---Betty's youngest son Andy's dear sweet wonderful wife right next to the amazing Betty Garrett Parks, who will turn 90 years young on May 23rd.....Both of Betty's Daughter-In-Laws are such terrific wonderfully bright and talented women....! Betty always feels she is blessed to now have the daughters she never had to go with the sons she adores!
And above.....the rest of 'the usual suspects', not already seen.....In the center on the floor, about to throw the dice, the wonderful handsome and talented Andrew Parks...aka Andy, and next to him on the little bench, the fabulous Mark Travis....Direcrtor/Teacher, extraordinaire, and his lovely talented actress wife....Dianne Travis, who all of you have met many times before at my "Ladies Who Lunch" afternoons.....
And, last, but not least---we go back to 'The Singing Bear" because those are my good friend Charley Berliner's hands in the picture....He was getting the dear Bear 'set-up' so I could Video Tape his little song.....And that is everyone who was at the party, except me....But, I am the one taking all the pictures....lol!Like I said, we had a wonderful, wonderful time.....And now, the New Year, 2009 has begun.....!
I wish everyone the Very BEST Year, Ever!
More To Come.......
- had this to say:
As always, it looks like a great time was had by all. Happy New Year!
- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 12:30:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
And the best of New Years to you Naomi. That looks a great party. I thought Betty was looking marvellous and I could see Larry Parks in his son. What a nice bunch!
- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 2:29:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
That looks like one fun and merry party :) What a great way to see in the New Year.
Mine was a quiet affair as I just stayed at home adn watched a film with M. We did crack open a bottle of bubbly though :)
Happy New Year my dear blogfriend. I am looking forward to visiting you here again throughout 2009!- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 3:00:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
happy 2009 Naomi!!.. oh boy, another great party with wonderful friends! I love the pictures because you can always see just how close you all are!
thank you for always sharing the fun times you have.. it rubs off!- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 4:11:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
What a beautiful bear and cozy photos, I love your enthusiasm!
happy new year for you and your loved ones!
Sorry for my bad English...- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 6:26:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Looks like a fun partee for sure!! There is nothing like a good ole home party with friends! Funny you should mention Gunsmoke I too caught the episode on TVLAND!
Hope you all have a grand new year!- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 7:56:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
looks like yall had a great time love the bear. happy new year my new friend!
- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 9:18:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Naomi,
What a nice way to welcome 2009: good friends, good food, laughter and song.
I hope the rest of the year will offer you all those same things.
A happy & healthy New Year to you.- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 11:32:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Looks as if you all had great fun!
My best wishes for a Happy New Year!
rashbre- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 12:38:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
It looks like quite a fun party!
That cake looks yummy!!!!
What a cute yet talented bear!
Happy new year, Naomi!- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 12:51:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
A very HAPPY and HEALTHY New Year ahead for you, Naomi, my very special person.
Oh my goodness, this looked like a fun party! Just loved your little bear. I can't get over how grown up Maddie is looking. A gorgeous girl. AND Betty....I swear she keeps getting younger. 90! What an inspiration she is!
I'm so glad you were surrounded by the people you love most to welcome in the new year.
Best to you,
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 3:22:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Happy New Year Aunty Em, I meant to get here on the actual day but now it is the 3rd already !!
BTW your wonderful calender arrived just in time for the New Year and is hung up so we will see it every day.
Thank you !!! Wonderful photographs you did well in choosing them :)
Say hello to Mark and Dianne for us as well :)- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 3:42:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Looks like you had a great time Naomi! Happy New Year ... may 2009 be stuffed full of good health, love and happiness for you and yours!
- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 8:33:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
WHAT A WONDERFUL HAPPY GATHERING OF GOOD FRIENDS !
- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 9:32:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Does yer kitty still blog?
- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 10:30:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
What a lovely New Year get together you guys have. Anyway, Happy New Year to you Naomi! My New Year wasn't really that fab but I am just hoping that this new year will usher changes in my life.
- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 11:10:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Isn't that Teddy Bear just the cutest thing ever? How is it that the White Elephant gifts in the parties I attend are never that cute? Me thinks I'm going to the wrong parties! :)
So very glad that everyone was able to attend this year and no one was sick! That's a coop in and of itself. :) Seems as if you made memories this year that you'll hold close for a long while.
(hugs)
Happy New Year, my dear. xoxo- Friday, January 2, 2009 at 11:10:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Naomi, I have to know where to get one of those bears! Mr. kenju needs to "put on a happy face" most of the time, and he could benefit from it.....LOL
Looks like a great gathering of friends, Naomi, and I am glad you got to be with them.- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 4:59:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
That certainly was a wonderful New Year's Party... lots of smiling faces and happy people. And such a sweet little bear... I love him, and his happy song!
Your calendar is hanging next to my computer and the sun is shining, a great start to the New Year.
Good health and happiness to you throughout the year, Naomi.- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 7:33:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
What a wonderful gift! I certainly looks like you all had a great time!
Happy New Year to you and all the best for 2009! :)- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 7:41:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
Love love love the bear! We had a very quiet NYE. First time since we've been together (over 20 years) that it was just us. We gave each other a kiss at 12:00 and at 12:01 went to sleep! LOL We were supposed to go to a party, but, here's a shocker, it snowed!
I hope you have a great 2009 Naomi!- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 8:40:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
What a great looking party. It's so neat how you share these events with those of us who maybe did nothing exciting for New Year's Eve. I was especially happy to see the photo of Earl Holliman, one of my favorite actors for a lot of years. He had the great TV shows but also was in some movies like Sons of Katie Elder. A real treat to see him now. You have such a rich treasure chest of friends :)
- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 9:31:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
FRIENDS! Ah, I love seeing the riches of your life --you always have such a fine time and how lucky you are they all come over and celebrate with you.
I spent NYE with friends too. I won TWICE playing right, left and center and came home with around $40! Ha! Loved it. I hope this signals good things for the New Year.
Happy New Year, my dear!- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 9:34:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
"and now his mouth is left wide open" - that made me laugh!!
I saw a Law and Order episode this week that Earl Holliman was in - he is such a sexy man ;)
beautiful gathering of lovely people- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 9:55:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
The Singing Bear - rooars - so charming, I had to replay.
But, Naomi, how could you survive with all the suspicious people around you?
Was it the Food? The singing Bear?
or, was it you?
I have my idea. LOL.
Happy New Year
btw. read my last few lines on my blog and You'll understand I'm so short.
----
I'm back:
You'll see the wonderful Calendar you sent us, among other X-Mas Cards etc, as soon as I recover from "Stomack Upset".- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 11:12:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
That looks a wonderful party! Love all photos!
Happy New Year dear Naomi!- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 12:44:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Hi Naomi,
Wishing you the best year yet, too. What a cute bear and great song.
Happy New Year- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 1:51:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
Looks like such a fun time. Loved all your pictures. Happy New Year!
- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 3:25:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
What an adorable little bear! I'm so glad you had company and were surrounded by people who love you. It's the best way to bring in the new year. Oh, my daughter was home this weekend and saw your calendar. She said, "cool pictures...hey, did the lady who did the flower calendar do this one?" I can't tell you how stunned I was that she even noticed. She is a bit of a photographer so I shouldn't have been so shocked that her eye would be caught by the photos and she would recognize the work of the same photographer. But I was surprised all the same.
- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 3:50:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Dear dear Naomi! You're indeed most blessed for year 2009...all those wonderful surprises and friends.
I've been tardy in blogging these days but just couldn't help self in saying: thank you Naomi for sharing your joys.- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 5:58:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Why am I not surprised that Bear has an accent? Too cute!
- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 6:15:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Happy New Year to you Naomi! Your party certainly was more exciting than anything we did here. I'm afraid Toonces and I brought the new year in alone...again. We started hiding from crowds a few years ago but a nice intimate party like yours sounds very nice! I hope 2009 is a wonderful year for you!
- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 7:31:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Happy 2009 to you Naomi. How special it seems to have brought in the new year with such wonderful people! That's the spirit! ((hugs))
- Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 8:54:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
It does look like a fun party...We had family over and had our traditional New Years meal...I hope you have a great 2009!
- Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 4:37:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
looks like it was a fun time Naomi. You are quite fortunate to have such a nice group of friends. Happy New Year to you.
-Rick- Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 1:40:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
ps- love that singing bear too.
- Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 1:40:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Great voice that bear had....spread sunshine all over the place...that's YOU!
Thank you for the smile and the sunshine tonight.
Happy New Year....let's hope it GRINS all year long.- Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 3:54:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Hi Naomi!! I love the little singing bear!! So cute!! I'm so glad you had this lovely party with all your wonderful friends. Betty looks wonderful!! I saw her on "All in the Family" over the holidays and of course thought of you!! Maddie is really growing up fast! She'll be a teenager!!
I wish you all things wonderful, health, and prosperity in the New Year!! Hugs to you and Sweetie!!!- Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 7:22:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
I love the way that cake was decorated - no white icing and pink roses for Naomi, I see!
- Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 7:33:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
That bear is the cutest thing ever! It sounds like you had the a great New Year's gathering! I still have a mad crush on Earl Holliman. Please tell him for me! He's still as handsome as ever...sigh...! Happy New Year Naomi. :)
- Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 10:02:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
I always love "attending" your parties Naomi! Fun! Fun! Fun!
I didn't realize you know Earl Holliman! I had such a crush on him when I was younger and he has aged VERY well!- Monday, January 5, 2009 at 11:51:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
I have my happy face on! I got a homemade jar of blueberry jam in our Yankee Swap.
- Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 8:37:00 PM PST
x4
