Like a Good Neighbor...for 35 years!

Paul recently celebrated 35 years as a State Farm Agent!  He didn't want me to make a big deal about it, but I can't just let it pass without acknowledging what a monumental achievement this is!  35 years is a LONG time to have the same job...but he still LOVES what he does & he plans to keep doing it for another 15-20 years, at least!  He finds helping clients with their insurance needs & financial planning for the future is very satisfying & personally rewarding.

Here he is way back in May of 1977 when he started this "good neighbor" journey...

These are the guys he started the business with...he's such a baby!  Most of these agents have since retired.

Through the years Paul has enjoyed company events & conventions & learning from other agents in the business.  Here's one of these early events...check out the entertainment...are you kidding me?

Yes, ol' blue eyes himself serenaded the agents at this Tahoe event in 1978!  

We have also enjoyed such greats as Bob Hope, Bill Cosby, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr of the 5th Demension, Broadway legend Ben Vereen, Neil Sedaka, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Charlie Daniels Band, Glenn Frey & Don Henley of the Eagles, & other Legends of Rock.  State Farm knows how to throw a party!

Two years into the business, Paul decided that if he had to pay rent on an office building, he might as well pay rent to his Dad - so he moved into his Dad's building & they threw up a sign, "Middleton & Middleton Insurance."  They officed together for some 21 years, until his Dad retired...we still have the sign on the building.

Dad's building in 1978ish...

...after the remodel in 2006. 

Here's one of their early newsletters that they used to mail out to their clients...now we get emails.

That cute little Monique only worked part-time while she was a student at Prospect High School until she went away to college.  Years later, in 2001, I got to teach her son in my 3rd grade class at Graystone...it was a fun reunion when we made that connection.

Occasionally, Paul updates his photo for advertisements & business cards, etc...these gems are from 1983 & 1992...

Our daughter, Jill, did the layout of this most recent update...

Doesn't it look great on our street sign out front?

Paul has always worked hard & he has been recognized many times for his accomplishments in the industry. The company sent this out in a publication to other agents in 2002.

He continues to write quality business & excels in all that he does.  Some of his other accomplishments:

President's Club

Crystal Excellence (He has maintained this honor since he first received it in 2002)

Consistent Ambassador Travel (18 travel trips)

Chairman's Circle Qualifier

Senior Vice President's Club Qualifier

The first CFP agent in BAMA (Bay Area)

Here we are with the CEO of State Farm, Ed Rust Jr.

We were excited when Kyle decided to become an agent...3 generations of State Farm Agents!

Then a couple of years later, our son-in-law, Brent joined the club, too...

When Paul reached his 30th anniversary in the business in 2007, we surprised him in with a little dinner/party.  Some of his favorite past staffers came to help us celebrate...

Standing L-R, Larry Middleton, Jeanne Middleton, Kyle Middleton, Andy's wife Amy & Andy Eyer, Karen Rogers, Paul, Maureen Stewart, & Brent Scopinich.  Seated Nancy Abinanti & her husband Lou, Lucy's husband Ed & Lucy Vasquez, & Steve Arita.  

We had a great time telling Paul stories...all the kids had written tributes & expressions of appreciation.  Karen, Maureen, & Lucy have been Paul's office managers through the years.  We were so happy they could all be there to help us celebrate...of course, Lucy is like family, she's been with us for over 15 years & we're NOT letting her go!

Like a good neighbor...State Farm is there!  And Paul has been right there for his clients for 35 years!

THERE!  I have shamelessly bragged about my husband because, let's face it..."he's kind of a big deal!"

Mother's Day

I had a lovely Mother's Day.  I talked to most of the kids on the phone, Paul grilled some tri-tip for me, & Nicole came to spend the night with us.  We played games & enjoyed a relaxing evening.  I tried to get a simple photo with the kids & my pretty flowers...

Silly Kids...but I love them - they fill my life with laughter!

While in San Jose, we got to take Paul's mom to lunch, too.

Of course I got to see my mom the week before Mother's Day (en route to Disneyland)...I love our visits.

Henry Ward Beecher said, "We never know the love of the parent until we become parents ourselves."

Thanks for loving us,  Barbara Jeanne & Glenda the Good...you have shown us to how to love.


Happy Mother's Day!

A Magical Road Trip

After Women's Conference, I drove with Terri & family to So Cal.  They were in need of a "happiest place on earth" kind of getaway & G'pa Paul & I were invited to join them, he was going to meet us there from San Jose.  I got to ride in the back with the kiddos...they are good travelers.

Of course, we couldn't drive by my mom's without a quick visit.  It was fun to visit with her, Cousin Carrie & family & Auntie Soch who fed us, too!  Thanks so much for spending time with us - don't know why I didn't I bust out my camera?

Next stop - the Beach!  Ben wanted to take the kids to the beach so I recommend Venice Beach to give Ben a southern California "cultural experience."  It was a beautiful day!

Olivia loved EVERYTHING about the beach...Jude?  Not so much...

She especially loved digging in the sand, building sand castles, & burying me in it!

Jude wasn't sure about the feel of the sand & sea on his feet, but he was okay as long as someone held him or he was on the blanket...

After lunch, we took a stroll along the beach walk to see the sites...

We found some ice cream & LOTS of crazies!  I think it was a little out of Terri's comfort zone with her kids in tow, but we had a great time!

Venice Beach provides some great people watching!  Some of the most colorful people you might come across...there are street artists, you could pause for a massage, listen to some music, or jump in on some disco skaters jammin' to their tunes!  

There were tons of "medical clinics" scattered along the way & I'm pretty sure this guy had been in to see the "doctor" recently...

AWESOME!  I'm not sure who's crazier...the guy walking around with these snakes or the people he convinces to pose for pictures with it?

Venice Beach is also known as Muscle Beach because it promotes health & fitness with all the sport courts they have along the beach for you to enjoy physical activities.  There are tennis courts, basketball courts, handball courts, volleyball courts, the bike trail, the skate park, the gymnastics equipment, AND a fully equipped outdoor gym for all the body beautifuls to work out.  It is not uncommon to see celebrities along the beach or run into someone filming something.  As we walked by the gym there was a crowd gathered around to take photos with this celebrity, Danny Trejo.  Ben is familiar with his work & was surprised to see what a friendly & nice person he really is (he usually plays a bad guy in films).

Of course the real reason we went to So Cal was to spend some time at the "happiest place on earth."  Olivia was excited when she woke up in our hotel room to find that G'pa had joined us, but she was even more excited to learn that we were going to Disneyland!  (Terri didn't tell her ahead of time so she was pretty excited when she understood where we were.)  I love seeing Disneyland through the eyes of my grandchildren!

We saw TONS of characters!  Terri got Olivia an autograph book so she could collect their signatures - it was adorable how excited Olivia was about that, she really got into it!  Alice & the Mad Hatter were the 1st ones we saw...Rapunzel & Flynn were one of the last ones we saw on day two & probably the longest line we waited in to meet & greet...

Most of the time one of us stood in line to hold our place while the rest took the kids on all the rides.  It was a great system that allowed us to see a lot of Liv's favorites...

Cinderella is usually accompanied by her Fairy Godmother.  I was super excited to see them from across the castle & the line didn't seem to be that long so we ran over there & sure enough, we were allowed to be the last ones in line for the day.  The characters are always focused on the kids & don't pay much attention to the adults around - rightly so.  As they were saying goodbye to Liv, I whispered into the Fairy Godmother's ear.  That's when she looked at me & realized who I was...yes, that's right...I know the Fairy Godmother!  (We have been friends since the mid 70's when we were on USA Cheerleading Staff together.)  It was a sweet little reunion.

Of course we rode tons of rides, too!  The kids were all smiles...even Jude loved all the rides (unless they were in the dark or noisey).

Even the BIG kids rode a few rides on their own...Tower of Terror, yikes!

Day 2 - The kids slept great & were ready for more fun!  It was a little cooler & kinda drizzly-damp, but it didn't put a damper on any of the excitement!

We rode a lot more rides & even saw some different characters...

Mulan was terrific!  She even noticed Jude & gave him some love...he ate it up!

He got some love from Tigger & Pooh as well...he was really charmin' them with his sweet smile.

Jude had a great time trying to pull out the Sword in the Stone...

We had a little meltdown drama with Tinkerbell that had a happy ending...we waited in a VERY long line for Pixie Hollow & just as we got to the front...literally THE NEXT UP...Tinkerbell was "called back to Neverland" & we were not going to get to see her!  I'm not sure who felt worse, me for waiting all that time in line to be denied or the 3 year old who did not understand that she couldn't see Tinkerbell.  Liv cried real tears when the staff told us that Tinkerbell had to leave & they felt so bad they told us to come back after lunch & they would let us back in the front of the line.  (They even gave us a secret code word so the staff would know that it was okay for us to take cuts in line!)  Sure enough...like Tinkerbell's pixie dust magic...it worked!

...but that wasn't the only magical thing that happened!  As we were leaving Pixie Hollow, Cinderella & the Fairy Godmother walked by & when they saw us they invited Olivia to take a walk with Cinderella to the other side of the castle...so we got a special walk with royalty!

As if that wasn't magical enough?  Look back up at the picture above & notice the lady in the wheelchair?  When she saw Cinderella, she was beside herself with excitement!  Mentally & physically handicapped, the only thing we could understand through her excited babble was "Cinnalela!  Cinnalela!" as she stood & embraced the princess with a death-grip that would have made anyone uncomfortable.  Cinderella graciously hugged her back & told her how nice it was to meet her.  It was such a tender moment that had us all a little teary-eyed at the pure joy on the lady's face.  The lady just kept squealing with delight as she waved goodbye & the royal walk continued through the castle & onto the other side.  When they got there, Cinderella had Liv dance & twirl around with her, we said our goodbyes & took some more pics with her new BFF!

Cinderella has always been MY favorite princess...after this experience...she will be forever in my heart, along with her Fairy Godmother...such a special treat!

It was a magical experience for me & so glad to share it with the Horners - thanks for including us...it was a good dose of happy.  As Buzz would say, "to infinity & beyond!"