A 'NI HAO KAI LAN' MOMENT

So, as usual, I pick Rileigh Shea up from pre K @exactly 10:45 each Monday thru Friday. If I need to run an errand afterwards, I take her with me...(we do enjoy each other's company, after all). Today, I just could not stand my hair another moment, so, I informed Rileigh that 'taotao' needed a haircut, then we would get a lunch of her choice. 'Good Idea, taotao, I like to go to your haircut place'. (of course she does, she loves 'WHIRLING THE CHAIRS AROUND' at a record speed).

We enter the salon.......... One post-teen lady is waiting ahead of us, the hairdresser is @the opened back door, visiting..........'Hi, have a seat, be with you in a minute' she hollers......So we sit, & we sit.

'Hi, are you a Chinese girl'? asks Rileigh of the girl next to us. The girl is not affected at all & says 'yes, I am Chinese'. Rileigh responds, 'I know, I can tell by your hair'. I just look her in the eyes and smile....she responds by telling me that she thinks Rileigh is a very bright and an outgoing child & is enjoying the interaction........

The Chinese girl gets her adorable cut, then it is our turn. A couple of men show up for a cut, and we are all lined up like crows on a telephone wire.....(rileigh in the chair next to me)....... She fidgets, and she fidgets. I ask her to calm down and just sit still for a little while. 'Taotao is almost done, honey, just be still for a little longer, okay?' 'Okay, taotao.' Then she jumps down, walks over to my chair...........'I wuv you, taotao'. 'I love you too, rileigh shea'. She stands there, just looking at me & then out of the blue, says: 'Okay, so now will you take your teeth out?'

I am thinking, (what did she just say?), and then I realize: she said what she said!, "taotao, will you take your teeth out"?

WHAT IN THE HELL DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

You say: 'well, I can't right now, honey. We are in a beauty shop, and there are too many people around'...................Then there was a LOUD ROAR. Amen.

Alzheimer's Scares Me To Death!

Let's see, today is 18 October 2010, and I am 71+ years old. So far, I don't have any REAL tell-tale signs of Alzheimer's. But then, every time I catch myself not remembering (IMMEDIATELY), how to do something, where I placed something, OR anything, something, my first thought is 'Oh My God!, I'm getting Alzheimer's! I am scared to death of it...........and why? Because of Mama. She was never diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She was diagnosed with dimentia, however, I don't see much difference. Well, maybe I do. She was VERY CLEAR on certain things. For instance, when all of us girls would visit her @once, she always knew our names, and our order of birth........ Everyone poo-poo's Alzheimer's off, by saying things like: 'well, who cares?, don't worry about it, you will be the lucky one, you're in a world of your own, and you don't know what is happening, anyway, so don't concern yourself!

So who do I concern? Vicki & John, and their family? ... maybe not! Vicki & John have always told me that if I am diagnosed with Alzheimer's, they will put me in a HOME. After I am settled in, they will paint a MURAL on my wall of the beach and ocean, put a well planted standing oscillating fan next to the painting & myself, & let me think I am receiving the Island breezes, and back on Guam. I told them that works for me! hahahahahaha

I bring this up, only because tonite I received a message from Twilla on fb, regarding her father, Bill Dinwiddie. He HAS Alzheimer's. She sent me a message that she showed him a picture of me from my fb page, and he recognized me immediately. I told her that it was because he loved me, and love does not have the same vision as the world. And, I believe that.

Homecoming Parade

Well, well, Homecoming parades in Newcastle, America are really something to behold! Now, I was raised in a very small farming town in South Dakota, during the 1950's. Our consolidated school did not have a football team, however, we had a fantastic, State Championship, Basketball team! Because of this, I KNOW ABOUT FLOATS! Newcastle, America, in 2010, does not know how to make an attractive Homecoming Float!

I delivered my granddaughter, lauren, to her 'float site', B/4 the parade............I was sorta surprised...no, scratch that.....shocked to see the floats that were about to enter the parade! They were barren, they were plain jane........ I could not believe what I was seeing.

So, I will contact lauren's Papa Martin , and ask him to help me next year. (Vicki says he has a trailer) I think we should make a decent appearance @the parade!

A Random Act of Kindness

My brother, Eddie, & his bride of 40+ years, came to visit me last week from the Houston, Texas area. They have been to my home here in Newcastle, America a few times, but never overnight. This time they stayed a couple nights.

While I was gone to pick up Rileigh Shea @her pre kindergarten class, Eddie, Diane, & my niece, Sindi ran down to Walmart and Eddie purchased a 47" HDTV for me. I was in absolute shock mode when I saw them carrying it in. What a wonderful, over the top gift!

So, this week, sindi took a picture of my old big screen TV & placed an add on Craigslist. I sold it the very next day for the asking price. Yesterday I purchased an Apple TV box, Sindi got me a wireless router, & we were streaming a Netflix movie within the hour......

This technology, of which I know nothing, is just marvelous! And so is my brother!

Talking Stories @Family Reunion

While sitting around my sister Barbara's dining room table last week, (@least three generations of us Stallman's), we had good memories to share. Barbara & Edwin's house is where we all gather when we go back to our roots. Everyone migrates to her extra long dining table. She always has a stack of plates, napkins, forks & an assortment of her latest baked goods, including her signature MUD CAKE....she IS a seasoned baker!

I'm telling my latest 'Rileigh Shea story: (a few weeks prior, Rileigh had asked me why I had brown spots on my arms & I had told her it is just something that happens when people get old).

So one day a few weeks later, Lauren, Rileigh Shea & I are driving to get snow cones, and she exclaims loudly 'OMG (just the letters, not the words) OMG! I have a Brown Spot on my arm! I said 'are you sure'? & she goes 'yes taotao, I am positive..............I sure hope my teeth don't start falling out'!............

Everyone had a good laugh, then Barbara took her turn. When her son Donn was a young child, he had been playing outside with some other little boys. There was a knock @the door. Barbara goes to the door & a little six or seven year old boy was standing there looking very serious. 'Mrs. Speck, Donnie called me a bad word'. 'Oh, he did'? said Barbara. 'Well, why don't you go tell Donnie his mama wants to see him'. The little boy runs off & shortly thereafter, Donn goes to his mother. 'Donnie, did you call that little boy a bad word'? 'Yes', says Donn. 'Well, what bad word did you say to him'? Donn hung his head, I said 'You are a sorry piece of shit & a rotten son of a bitch'!

Love That Video Camera, Vicki

Vicki has finally 'mastered' the operation of the video camera I got her for Christmas, and if nothing else, it gives us some great 'pee your pants laughing moments', usually @my expense!

We drove down to Chandler to visit her dads grave last week end. We took beautiful bouquet's of flowers to decorate his, Mary's & his folks' headstones. Vicki recorded all the King family headstones, and took some GREAT shots of me placing the flowers. I'm all bent over w/my ass in the air........OH MY GOD! what a sight for sore eyes! I don't bend my knees at all, & when I'm erect, my profile somewhat resembles a washtub with a ball on top & two short sticks @the bottom. Bwaahaaaaaa.

We laughed until we cried & lauren kept repeating: 'back it up mom, let's see it again'.......over & over. Maybe I will start that diet as soon as we return from our family reunion in S.D.

NO SILLY, IT IS YOU.............

Rileigh Shea is four, and she spends a lot of time with her 'taotao'. We love each other's company and have a great time together. I missed out on these early years with lauren because I was living on another planet..........not really, but Guam is soooo far away, it may as well have been.

Rileigh comes running into my office with a 'drawing'.............'look grandma, I made you something'. I look at her picture & see that it is a 'person'. 'Oh, Rileigh Shea, that is beautiful..........you did a great job drawing, is that you? 'No silly, it is you,..................... see, you are OLD & have FLUFFY ARMS!

I Bawled all the way home......

Yesterday, 5/21/10 was my four year olds 'SHOW'. It was the last day of Pre- School, and, I have been totally INVOLVED since day one. Vicki informed me (several times) that Rileigh Shea needed to be @location by 5:30! Parents were not allowed to go inside until 6:00 she said.

So, where in the hell did I get the idea that the program was @7pm? I don't know, maybe because it was held @7pm last year?

Anywayyy, I arrive @the church @5:30, walk miss rileigh shea to the door, & leave. I notice some 'grandma & grandpa's in the parking lot & think to myself 'why are they here soooooo early? Well, maybe they have traveled a long way..... no other thought enters my mind, and I go home.

I fiddle faddle wasting time, waiting for 6:45 to arrive....so I can head out. Time to go.......when I arrive @the church, everything seems normal. When I enter the building, I'm confused. It is 10 minutes to seven & people are mingling everywhere, EATING STUFF! I spot my son in law's parents, then my son in law & vicki, then I see Rileigh Shea eating chocolate covered strawberries on a squewar..... I am confused & thinking to myself...'why in the world are they letting this child eat B/4 her performance???'

I catch Vicki's eye.....'where have you been, Mother?' 'Didn't you know the program started @6:00? I thought I told you that....then the ugly cry starts on my face, I wave goodbye & just leave. It was awful.........next event, I will 'listen' better..........

Hey, Mr. President, maila fan boka: That's Chamorro for come eat

Found this in the Guam newspaper.......President Obama will be on island sometime during the first week of March. It made me laugh because when I built my retirement home, I wanted to make a sign to put in my kitchen that read 'Maila fan boka' my interpretation of 'come in & eat'. When I told Bob of my intentions, he corrected my Chamoru to say it right, just as the person in the next paragraph corrected the journalist in the PDN:

Who Chamoru you? Ask Juan Malimanga how to say it right. "Maila ta fan boka"..
Let President Obama try out Guam Ayuyu, Luta Fanihi, Tinian Hot Pepper, and Saipan Apigigi. Welcome to the Chamorro Islands!!

I still have my Continental Micronesia Airlines frequent flyer miles in my back pocket for another trip to Guam. I lived there eleven years and have been gone eleven years this month. I didn't realize until just now that I've been back eleven years. I read the Pacific Daily News online every day, and see many construction changes since my departure. Everyone is preparing for the Military buildup that will take place in the next year or so. The Marine bases are closing on Okinawa & Japan will pay millions of dollars to help the United States relocate on Guam.

Also, Continental Micronesia just opened a Guam to Fiji flight two or three times a week recently hmmmm mite be a cheap way to get to Fiji. Daydreams are so fun......

EMAIL KEEPER.....from barbara ......FUNNNNNY!

Did you know....

...that the words "race car" spelled backward still spells "race car"?

...that "eat" is the only word that, if you take the 1st letter and move it to the last, spells its past tense, "ate"?

And have you noticed that if you rearrange the letters in "illegal immigrants," and add just a few more letters, it spells: "Go home you free-loading, benefit-grabbing, resource-sucking, baby-making, violent, non-English-speaking assholes and take those other hairy-faced, sandal-wearing, bomb-making, camel-riding, goat-loving, raggedy-ass bastards with you."

How weird is that???

A Day Of Good Reflections

I have just spent a good hour with myself, sitting in my favorite chair in my living room, glancing from wall to wall, picture by picture, and being grateful for who I am today. Grateful for what I have accomplished in my life, and the roads I have traveled. There were many trials and tribulations.......some of my own making, and some not. It makes no difference anymore, because I have made amends and peace with all but a couple, and my God has taken care of those, I am sure.

Looking & reflecting at each picture brought smiles, out loud laughs and tears. I traveled to many places on the globe in my mind, and visualized many many good friends. The onset of 'this trip' was because of an hour long conversation with my best friend, katy. There are no secrets from katy, so therefore all conversations can go in any direction without guard........and they usually do. I am fortunate, because everyone needs a katy in their life. And, IMOHO, everyone should have a seat in their favorite chair & reflect. It's good for the SOUL.

Lets get the BOOGIE for $9.00........

Last nite Lauren & I went to see this movie that has brought in over $2,000,000,000.00 in its first four weeks. 'AVATAR' is in 3D & was magnificent. I thought it was too long, but a 'must see' movie. It is a breakthrough in computerized digital blah blah, of which I know nada. James Cameron wrote & directed it & it was four years in the making.........Anywhoooooo, it was well worth the time & money.

As we stood in line to purchase our popcorn & drinks, a conversation taking place right behind us just flabbergasted me. Popcorn & drinks can be purchased individually, or in penny saving combos such as 'The Fred & Ginger', (referring to Fred Astair & Ginger Rogers), or 'The Bogie', (referring to Humphrey Bogart), or another package I can't recall. The conversation was between a mother & son, approximately 35 & 12 in age. The mom goes 'let's get the BOOGIE', her son responds 'mom, I think it is BOGIE' (with a long O) and she goes 'whatever' & thinks about it for a minute & responds: 'it can't be BOGIE, it must be Bogie rhyming with Dogie....it's spelled just like Dogie'. At this point, I turn to her & tell her that it is BOGIE, named after Humphrey Bogart.......she smiles & says 'WHO is Humphrey Bogart, I've never heard of him. I started to ask if she had ever seen Casablanca, but decided not to go there.

Thinking about this later, I had a negative thought of being so old, but changed my mind. I've decided she is the one that has no idea what she has missed by not being my age. I don't even want to change places with her.

Are you my Mommy's Mom?

Rileigh Shea discovered I am her mommy's mom this week & is bringing it up nearly every time she sees me........she can't let it go. Vicki called me prior to Lauren's soccer game last nite, & while we're on the phone I can hear Rileigh in the background.........'Mom, are you talking to your mom? Well, I want to go see your mom'.....When I arrived at the soccer arena & was walking towards them, she hollers 'look Mom, here comes your Mom'.........'Hi grandma, I missed you today'. She will be four February 28th. She has a very caring, sweet personality, and of course she is just brilliant. I was living on Guam when Lauren was this age, and it is 40+ years since Vicki was this age, so I've forgotten how quickly everything is absorbed in a three year old mind. Shannon (Katy's daughter) has a three year old & said the other day they were walking to the bus stop to meet Shannon's oldest daughter. Shannon had explained earlier in the day to Brooke that daddy was gone on a business trip to Miami. Later Shannon asked Brooke where daddy was & she replied 'he is in Yourami'. haha Made perfect sense to her three year old mind..........love it, love it, love it.

2010 or, twenty ten as I will call it......time is flying by

I'm not a 'New Year's resolution' person, however I did tell myself sometime last month that I was going to make an honest effort to write on my blog site frequently........starting Yesterday!

Oklahoma made weather history on Christmas Eve, 2009. We had a horrible blizzard, with 141/2 inches of new fallen snow in about twelve hours. A lot of Christmas gathering's were postponed or canceled. We (Vicki, John, Lauren, Rileigh & I) got to get together since our houses are about 100' from one another. Santa came & rang the doorbell, leaving Rileigh Shea's John Deer tractor & trailer.......and, her hungry, hungry hippo game.

Vicki ended up @St. Anthony's hospital Sunday, the 27th for emergency surgery. She had to have her lap band removed. It was causing her to vomit too frequently. She has probably lost 80# or so in the past 14 months.

Rileigh stayed with me this morning while lauren played two indoor soccer games. The first game was @7:45 AM for God sakes !!! Rileigh Shea & I were playing catch, I dropped the ball & she goes 'Grandma, remember, you have to keep your eye on the ball'.......She's 3 & totally keeps me entertained.