Patti Walker in 2012
Patti Walker in 2012
My Bio........
I was with you in the first graduating class of St. Basils, while most of the class went on to St. Vincent, I went to Hogan Jr. and then Vallejo High. ..... What an unusual life I have enjoyed! After graduating as a majorette, I married a marine (Joe Rice) in 1958 and had 4 children. Although I have 3 fantastic daughters, I still miss my son who died in infancy in 1969.
I recently retired as owner of 360House Stagers. I am an Accredited Staging Professional Master and Staging Instructor. I got into this business by accident while a Realtor in Valley Springs, CA. Tired of listing and selling cluttered and boring homes, I began to show my sellers what needed to be done to bring their home to market and get it $old.
One day I learned that what I was doing had a name - "STAGING". But this is later in my life, and the road was paved with a variety of occupations not generally related to one another, so here goes!
I became a Property Manager for a 376 unit complex in Columbus Ohio. I co-owned Hunters Haven Taxidermy and Midwest Custom Tannery in Columbus Ohio. I became sole owner after the divorce. Being the only woman owner and operator of a commercial tannery had its benefits. Reporters found it fascinating that I could skin a deer, degrease a bear skin, and stretch out a zebra hide.
I was featured on several TV news programs, radio interviews and many articles in the Columbus Dispatch. Featured speaker at civic clubs, held positions of President, Vice-President and secretary of several industry organizations. I was acquisition chairman for Women's Ducks Unlimited. Profiled in Who's Who of American Women and Who's Who in International Business Women.... Not bad from the "Ole Charleston" dancing gal of the 50's.
In 89, I ventured back to California and the Silicon Valley. I was on the accounting staff at SLAC in Menlo Park, then Personal Coordinator for 3 McDonalds Stores, and Office Manager of Global Brain a high tech training company. I attended the UOP but still lack credits for my degree.
After being divorced for 15 years, I got re-acquainted with the love of my life, Jim Walker. We had known each other since I was ten and dated off and on in my teen age years. We have enjoyed traveling across the U.S. in our motor home (before gas got out of sight). Now we travel in our Prius and stay in motels. At 49- 51 MPG we think that is pretty sweet. We had the pleasure of visiting one on one with Jim Stafford after one of his shows. Mickey Gilley held my hand and sang "Sweet Caroline" to me. Bobby Vinton sang to me, and I had a photo with Ed McMahon.
The Captain of a Princess Cruise ship arranged for a private tour of "off limit" areas. I really enjoyed that. I stood with the 1st Engineer (to the envy of others) high on the ship going through the Panama Canal.
Boring, my life has not been! We became a couple and bought a home on La Contenta Golf Course in Valley Springs, CA. Playing golf everyday wasn't stimulating me, so I took up Real Estate before earning my designation as an Accredited Staging Professional Master. I was soon honored to be picked by the creator of Home Staging, Barb Schwarz, as part of her elite training team. What fun I had traveling and teaching Staging in Minnesota, Utah, Idaho Washington and DC. My new husband felt differently. He called himself my "lacky", carrying all the teaching equipment on the planes wasn't fun in the least. We both became frustrated wondering what State we were in when we woke up, so I opened my own staging business.
My team included my youngest daughter and her husband and my step-daughter who are all certified Stagers. I love the challenge of making a dull house dazzle. That brings me up to date.
I am a Happy Conservative, and proud Tea Party member. My eldest daughter has blessed me with a really neat grandson who at 14 bagged his first deer using a bow and arrow. He was so cute, he told his mom, she could use his tree stand!
My youngest daughter and her husband have blessed me with a darling 8 year old grandson who is smart as a whip. He loves to ride his dirt bike with his dad. He is in a school for gifted and talented children and with him there is never a dull moment.
Do I miss Vallejo? NOT! I was sad, however, to see the beautiful High School building demolished, what were they thinking. Or more to the point why the heck didn't they think. I hope the coming years are as distinguishingly different as the past. I am Happy as can be although I miss my staging business.
I am a helpmate of sorts.....in today's world that means co-dependent!
I enjoy speaking to groups - (like to be in control)
I enjoy going to open houses - (I am nosey)
My favorite quote is: "If it's not broke....don't fix it.".
I enjoy meeting people (I am a pain in the ass)".
Some of my friends are a brick short of a building, and a sandwich short of a picnic; but I love them all!
We live on the 3rd fairway here in Meridian, Idaho. I am blessed when I wake up in the morning and don't see my name in the obits. That's my story and I am sticking to it.......
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