My husband, Melvin, and I had two daughters who came to Alexandria to visit friends.   They decided to spread their wings and move here for a short while.  The short stay became an extended stay since they met and married men from here.  Grandson #1 came along and it was very easy for them to talk us into relocating.  My husband had retired several years earlier and I had worked long enough for Kern High School District to take an early retirement. 

The relocating (April, 1991) did take some adjusting, but, it was a very good move for us.  After a long illness, my husband passed away July, 2001.  We had 41 wonderful years together and the good memories will always live in my heart.  Life is still good and I am enjoying my daughters and their families.  I have two grandsons and one granddaughter.  I do some traveling, work in my yard and volunteer at my church.  I have made many new friends and am enjoying  the South once I got over the culture shock. 

We did not have much damage from Katrina.  Just some high winds causing power outages and roof damage.  I was without power for a couple of days.  Just a little inconvience was all.  I went to Gulfport, MS last weekend and met up with some Arvinites who now live in Bakersfield.  There is no way to describe the damage along the Gulf!  Miles and miles that look like a war zone.  The damage is much greater than it appears on TV.