She met her late husband Bill Ayres in 1969. She was out dancing with some of her girlfriends when she met him.

My Grandmas first car was a 1956 Ford. It was peach and gray in color. She bought it with money she had saved up. She was 20 years old when she bought it.

Her favorite childhood memory was sitting on her father's lap. She would read to him. After they were done reading he always gave her encouraging words and a kiss on the cheek. Another of her favorite childhood memories is going to her sisters farm when she was married and playing with her animals and children.

I asked her how today's technology driven world is different and she said she likes how she can stay in touch with family and friends who live out of town. Since she lives in a smaller town when doctors come to town it is easier to keep her health in check. It also helps her to keep her finances in check.

The best piece of advice she has ever gotten was when she was in cosmetology school one of her instructors told her often, "To take pride in yourself and everything you do. Feel good about yourself and others will feel good about you."

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If she could go anywhere in the world she would want to go on a cruise. While on the cruise she would go swimming with the dolphins because it has always been a dream of hers.

The most stressful time in her life was when she lost her husband. He was only 48 and was on life support, she had to make the decision to take him off after seeing it was the only thing keeping him alive. She has learned that life is very short. Her family gave her a lot of support through the decision. She also had a lot of support from her coworkers at Larned State Hospital .

The differences between her first child and her last child were very drastic. Her first child was a very healthy little boy named Gary Ayres who reached his milestones at a fast pace. Her last child, my mother, named Holly Ayres, was born with heart issues that would likely need surgery to correct. Although she didnt need surgery she was slower in growth and reaching her milestones. They always encouraged her to do her best and at times spoiled her. They did not let her heart problems hold her back from doing what others did.

The hardest part of raising her kids were making sure her and her husband's parenting skills were what the children needed to become good citizens. Including instilling good values, ethics, and preparing them for life.

Her first job was babysitting when she was in Junior high and part of High school. She made 25 cents an hour. Then when she was 16 she started working in the gift wrapping department at Younkers. At Younkers she made $2.25

The most rewarding part of her life was getting married to a great man, my Grandpa Bill. He was a very loving man and a great father. THey were blessed with 3 grandchildren before he passed then another came along a few years later. Her grandchildren keep her up to date with all the technology and keep her feeling young.

Her advice to her past self is you have a good and rewarding life with many blessings. Do more traveling, continue to be thankful for a wonderful life filled with family and friends.

The riskiest thing she ever did was at 18 she drove one of her friends to the store to get her 3 year old daughter a birthday cake. My grandma only had her permit and her friend did not have a permit nor a license. My grandma says her guardian angel was looking out for her because she never got caught and got home safe.

I asked her what the hardest decision she ever had to make was, she said that it was giving the doctors permission to take her Husband off of life support. The tests were showing that this was the only thing keeping her alive. It was a hard decision but she had an amazing support system.

Her schooling was very different. All students had high respect for teachers and authority figures. If you misbehaved there was a phone call home to parents. The principal also had a paddle that if needed would be used. Girls all wore either dresses or skirts 4-6 inches below the knee with a nice blouse or sweater. Lunches were homemade and there was always plenty to eat. Teachers were always there till 5 pm for help with homework

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If she could be any age she would like to go back to when her Husband was still alive. However she loves the age she is but wishes he could be here to enjoy it with her. She enjoys spending time with family and seeing her grandchildren all succeed in high school and college mapping out their lives in a positive way.

Her advice for teens today is to be kind to yourselves and others. Do not follow the crowd to fit in. Get a great education then build the life you are proud of and happy with. Then live your life to the fullest.

Her proudest moments are when she became a mother, then a grandmother, and also when her second oldest granddaughter asked her to make the flowers for her wedding. She was ecstatic when she became a mother and enjoyed the rewards. Her grandchildren are also very special to her. Her granddaughter is getting married this summer and needed flowers for the bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages. along with other decorations

Her biggest regret was moving from Dakota City, Nebraska to Austin, Texas. Along the way they had difficulties and then when they arrived the promised job was gone. So after 3 weeks they picked up and moved to Augusta, Kansas where my grandpa got a new job that later took him to Great Bend, Kansas. 5 years ago my Grandma moved to Garnet, Kansas to be closer with my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins.