below the fold, taotao's perception

Dream, Dream, Dream....All You Have To Do, Is Dream

2012-01-16T17:32:00.000-08:00

I think this title was actually a song from my era, the 1950's. Ahhhhhh, the '40's and '50's! Anyone growing up during this time frame, is absolutely blessed! Beyond blessed!

Anyway, about dreams....they are absolutely wonderful, in my own humble opinion. You can travel anywhere your sub-conscious takes you, and, I absolutely look forward to it, each and every night.

Last nite I went on a journey that was a little confusing. However, it included my good friend Katy & her good friend, Richard. It included Mike Schuminsky, Mr. Perez, and a group of women I can not identify. I knew their names, however, the names did not match their bodies! How strange is that?....very....and, most were quite out of character......I don't understand the meaning of that, but there has to be a message in there somewhere.

It was a compilation of work, deceit, secrecy, new beginnings, coming to terms, and endings.

Well, that kinda sums up life, doesn't it?

I'm grateful that my morals have had a tune up. amen.

PROCRASTINATE: TO PUT OFF TO A LATER DATE

2012-01-13T19:02:00.000-08:00

OK, I admit that I am probably one of the biggest procrastinators, however, I'm now trying to change all that.

I decided a few years ago that I would write a blog....to leave some of my thoughts, and personal excursions, for my grand daughters to find.

Well, it has been four or five years since this decision, and, not much has been posted! So, now we are beginning 2012. I'll put on my 'DO BETTER HAT'

We closed the year 2011 @G'ma Sara's & Papa's house.....as, we always do, on Christmas Day!

Everyone brings a 'covered dish' to accent the meat dish. Jeff & papa have the cooking task. This year, we had brisket & ham. As usual, the meal and company, were delicious. Everybody's 'covered dishes', were very tasty.

We play 'Dirty Santa', for all the 'adults', which is always great fun, (for most).....just sayin'... The children 'draw names'...and every mama tells the other mama what to buy for their child, so no one ever gets disappointed! Bwahahaahahah!

No Matter the process.......we all have a fantastic time!.....Good Bye 2011, and here's to 2012!

CHANGING MY TITLE

2012-01-09T19:26:00.000-08:00

Today I've decided to change a word in the title of my blog....... from 'adventures', to 'perception'.

Currently, (currently means the past five years of my life)....there has been 'not much' in the adventure Department! However, I have come to realize, because my daughter, Vicki, reminds me,....that everything I bitch about, is only my perception. ....and, she is right, as usual.

Time to create an ADVENTURE!

New School Year, New Rule.......Nope, Old Rule...

2011-08-22T18:24:00.000-07:00

OK, here we go again....Rileigh Shea is in kindergarten now that she is five and a half....Her first day was last friday...(why in the hell do we start school on friday?!) Anyway, it was a BIG DEAL! New Rule: She got to ride the bus, after all....even tho Lauren had to tag along to make sure she knew where to exit. The bus arrived @ Vicki's house forty five minutes later than it had in the previous ten years...So, what is up w/that?...Rileigh told Lauren that she had to change buss' @the middle school. CHANGE BUSS'? That's not right.... So, Vicki calls the school this morning, registering her complaint. Blah, blah, blah, that's the way it is...'we walk them thru the process the first two weeks', blah, blah.....Well, what about the THIRD week? They are five, and, their minds wander, says Vicki! No consoling information on the other end. So, we won't accept their stupid rationalization regarding the bus scheduling.

Old Rule: I still have my 'Rileigh Shea Martin' placard covering my passenger sun visor. I will pull into the school parking lot @2:45 tomorrow, instead of 10:45 (when she was a baby in pre-school), we will probably circle the new Police Department driveway.....(we did this almost everyday last year while the new department building was under construction).....then, on the way home, we will stop @Taco Mayo, for her to order (and, tao tao, let ME place the order) : 'A Bean Burrito: no onions, no cheese, no sauce....just beans........ to her 'best friend', Fernando. She treats him to a sonic 'lemonberry slush' @least once a week. Life is very good on our hill in Newcastle, America!

South Dakota, July, 2011

2011-07-08T17:01:00.000-07:00

I just returned to Oklahoma, from an annual trip to South Dakota. This trip included a high school reunion, and a 'Fletcher family reunion' (Marge & Evert Fletcher)....It was a great reunion. Dick & Gloria Black were amongst us. Dick is a great 'Interviewer'... Gloria is a very compassionate lady.

I met cousins that I didn't know about. I re-met cousins that I forgot about. I interacted with cousins that I had not seen in years. It was just a wonderful interactment!

I enjoyed a road trip with my sister Sandy. I enjoyed a long visit w/Barbara & Edwin @their house.

Everything is Good!

My Uncle Dick and Aunt Gloria..................

2011-05-28T19:07:00.000-07:00

I will tell you one thing....... These Two People are just Absolutely Amazing! I have not seen, nor connected with my Uncle Dick Black......EVER! However, we are family. I just absolutely love Gloria................she is so grounded! What A Treat To Meet and Interact with them! I absolutely loved the experience!

I Am Ashamed of Myself

2011-05-28T17:49:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely ashamed of myself for not posting. My sister Barbara asked me for a picture of 'Mama's ashes ceremony' on Medicine Butte in Reliance, South Dakota, and the only one I had to offer, was this one on my website.

Well, she was able to do whatever she needed to do, in order to 'copy & paste', or whatever. Anyway, she retrieved the picture she wanted.

She is writing a book about her life.....and, I am anxious for her to finish it. Reason being, I don't REMEMBER much about 'our life' prior to my being 18 years old. By then, I was 'on my own'.

I asked for a copy of what she has written so far..... No, you have to wait for the finished product.....We are all so weird, aren't we? Barbara, what if I lose my mind tomorrow?..........I'll never know 'the end'.....but, yes, I do.

subconscious thoughts

2011-03-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

I am amazed most mornings, coming out of my very restful sleep. My dreams are very fresh, and I really have to concentrate on all the experiences encountered prior to waking up, or they flee within five minutes. Guess I should have a paper & pencil @hand to capture my thoughts.

This morning was exceptional. Many truths about myself were revealed, sort of in a chronological order, but still all mixed together. Happenings and friends from childhood to my forties.

Some truths were harder to look at, than others, but the bottom line was positive, so I'm taking that as forgiveness.........from myself and from God. I woke up with a positive and very happy heart. It's a great way to start the day.

I should pick up the phone and re-connect with a quick hello to all the friends in my final dream of the nite............It only takes a few minutes and is worth its weight in gold.

A 'NI HAO KAI LAN' MOMENT

2010-11-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-10-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-08T06:31:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-29T16:48:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-06T10:19:00.000-07:00

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.............

2010-06-06T05:46:00.000-07:00

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......

2010-05-22T17:12:00.000-07:00

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

2010-02-03T20:51:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-30T13:07:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-24T10:44:00.000-08:00

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........

2010-01-18T07:39:00.000-08:00

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?

2010-01-15T08:05:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-02T17:46:00.000-08:00

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.

SECOND EPIPHANY

2009-11-21T19:49:00.000-08:00

Watching DR. PHIL this week, I had my second epiphany: regarding sarcasm as the lowest form of humor.... That is me for the most part of my humor. I have known for a long time that I do not have 'empathy', and I think it stems from my own childhood & upbringing. How in the world could I relate to empathy, unconditional love, and all that goes along with family? I masked everything. So, the mask is what I was most comfortable with most of my adult life. I'm not wearing a 'mask' anymore. I am still very blunt. I speak when I should keep my mouth shut, however, what I speak, is only thoughts amongst others that have discretion) and I apologize for that........I am not sure if I will ever correct my faults......So just put up with me.................Or Not.

TWO EPIPHANIES THIS WEEKEND

2009-11-21T18:57:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to create an 'old hairstyle', Vicki gave me in the '80's' and am having a hard time. I found a new hairdresser & got things started, however, it was not working out....does not 'look like Vicki's cut'....can't make this old broad understand 'the firefly' style of the time. I KNOW she has been in business long enuf to 'remember the cut'.....So, the other day I dragged out some pictures of myself with 'the cut' & took them to her shop. She pretty much 'nailed it', and I feel confident, & eventually, it will be the cut I want. As I returned home, and took the pictures from my purse, I took a good hard look @who I was back then, & who I am now. For the first time, I think I have finally separated myself from those 1980 photos. It was a really sad situation, and I cried. 'Oh, My God!, I am not 'her' anymore, I am really seventy......It was a hard realization, I AM REALLY OLD NOW! I don't FEEL any older than those pictures I was looking at, but I AM!, ......and, my dears, SEVENTY AIN'T BAD! OLD is only a word. BAAHWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

THANK YOU, MAMA

2009-11-17T21:00:00.000-08:00

Mama, you have no idea (or, perhaps you do) how happy your children are this week. We all received 'our inheritance' from you. Everyone is extremely happy & 'over the moon' deciding what we will do with our monies.

You can be well assured we all have great plans.... This windfall is appreciated so much. Know this: all of your children (and some grandchildren) are elated! Most know exactly what they are going to do with their monies...me, for one, have two or three avenues.

God bless you, & I pray for your soul everyday.

I love you so much, frances

TO BE THANKFUL

2009-11-12T19:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, (November 11th, 2009), someone posted on facebook, a suggestion that we should post everyday, something to be thankful for until Thanksgiving day. Well, this would be an easy project to be involved...........and, it is, however, how many of us ever think of something to be thankful for on a daily basis? Do we just take everything for granted? Yep, I think so. So, I started yesterday, and posted again today, and will tomorrow and so on. In fact, I will start a journal on my thanksgivings. I think it heals my heart, and may be an interesting read one of these days for my daughter & grandchildren......................join me.

Do You Have 'Repeat Customers?'

2009-10-24T22:22:00.000-07:00

The other day I decided to 'drop off' my comforter & pillow shams for a washing. I had seen an advertisement 'Drop Off Cleaning' from the street a few weeks earlier. & remembered the location. I enter the building, & there were about 30 machines in site and only one person using said machines. The premises had a less than a favorable odor, the trash cans were full, & only one patron in sight. I approached the counter & before I could speak, the woman behind the counter states 'over there, you go over there to wash big'....pointing to some machines. 'Excuse me, don't you have a 'drop off service' ?

'Oh ya, we have drop off service, you want drop off service?' 'Yes, please. I want this comforter & pillow shams washed' 'OK, you pick up tomorrow @6 o'clock. 'Six o clock? It is not even noon, how long does it take to wash'? 'OK, for you, I will have ready @ 10 o'clock....OK, good, thanks. As I turn to leave, she says 'you pay first'! Okay....I hand her my debit card.......'No, I don't take...only cash' so I only have $10........'OK, I take ten & you bring $10. tomorrow'....okay.

Next morning, (closer to noon), I return. The same trash cans are still full, the building still stinks & miss personality is still behind the counter.

Hi, I am Ms. King....here to pick up my comforter (I see it behind the counter). 'Yes, I need you ticket', so I look for it, to no avail..... sorry, I don't have my ticket.. 'I need ticket'.....'Don't you remember me?, I was just here............'yes, I remember, but I need you ticket.. (OMG! are you kidding me)........no, she wasn't, she didn't want to budge.....we went back & forth for @least 5 minutes.................'My God! remember, I still owe you $10.? 'Yes, but I need you ticket...... I just glared @her...'OK, let me see you drivers license' I hand it to her, she copies down my # and hands it back. 'You need to sign here' she says as she slides the ticket towards me. My signature is illegible, & looks like I'm scratching something out as I sign. She just stares at me & doesn't turn to get my comforter. Without speaking, I reach for my wallet, show her my signature on my DL, & then she handed over my comforter.

'Do you have much repeat business? I asked....she didn't even get the question, but the one & only man customer got it & roared!

For those who don't remember the '70's

2009-10-08T20:41:00.000-07:00

I had the 'best hour of TV' tonite as I watched a Dean Martin Variety Show filmed in the '70's'. I literally laughed my ass off. What a treat! Those old shows were a hoot! Total entertainment on each show. Dean Martin had a variety show that ran for nine seasons. He never rehearsed a single show, and his spontaneous humor was hilarious, as was the action, or reaction, from all his guests. It was very entertaining to see & remember Frank Sinatra, Dom DeLuise, John Wayne Orson Wells, and several more. I've ordered a collection of his shows to dwindle in one by one every six weeks. Bonnie Hunt has a daytime show now & uses a replica of his old set for her show. She is dedicated to him & is rising in her ratings. I think she is very funny and fresh. Then jump to present day television.......I watched the Dr. Phil show today, & they were talking about teenagers & how they view sex. Absolutely shocking. He was promoting a new book entitled 'Oral Sex Is The New Goodnite Kiss'....And that it is common for teenagers to have sex on the dance floor @senior proms. Several teenagers in the audience were asked if they knew about this & some said yes & some nodded & smiled with the DUH! look............Give me a friggin break!

How Many Ways Does Love Have?

2009-10-07T18:28:00.000-07:00

I went thru some old emails today looking for our Stallman Family Reunion information sent to me from my sister Barbara. I stumbled across an email I had sent her regarding a conversation between Gerald and I several months ago.

I had picked him up to take him to one of his procedures @the VA hospital. As we were driving, and engaged in conversation, he was telling me that he had been to a week-end outing at an antique mall. He said that on Sunday's, this particular mall had a cook out & 'live music'. He said that on the Sunday he participated, it was special for him because the band was playing all the good tunes that reminded him of us during our youth.

I asked 'what were they playing'? 'Oh, you know, Pennies From Heaven, You Are My Everything, Don't You Know, and all those good songs that we used to love & dance too, remember'?....'Yes, I remember'. 'And, I still love you'....I'm silent. 'You don't have to respond, fran.......I know you still love me too'.

'You know Gerald, that I do love you, but, not in the same way as I did back then'...then there was a silence, & he responded. 'How many ways does love have, fran'? I was speechless for a minute. Then I told him that there are all ways.... I just loved him..........and I still do.

Are You Making Good Choices, Jason?

2009-10-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

OMG! I wasn't even ready to see or hear this! So, I am sitting in my pedicure chair @Walmart today, enjoying this week's National Enquirer...(yes, I read it every week)..........any way, all of a sudden I hear this blood curdling scream from what looks to be a little boy around two or two & a half years old, @a check out register. His big sister (around 10) is trying to calm him down, and being very patient with him. THEN appears his Mother, breaking her concentration from the 'check out person'. She stops everything in progress to bend over, point her finger in his face, & exclaim LOUDLY ...'Jason, are you making GOOD CHOICES right now? Jason does not respond. 'JASON, ARE YOU MAKING GOOD CHOICES RIGHT NOW...........LOOK @ ME, JASON.' His big sister is totally humiliated & only looks at the floor. Jason never responds, & the mother gives up the confrontation. I wanted to jump out of my chair and knock Big Mama to the ground, but she was bigger than me.

What the Hell.............he is two!!!!......are you making good choices? I just do not understand parenting these days. Who is the one NOT making good choices here?

They wheeled away with mama still screaming @the child. Mama, are YOU making good choices today? No, you, my dear, are an idiot!

Getting Lauren's Homework

2009-09-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

Lauren has been sick most of the week with Swine Flu. I took her to the Doctor Tuesday morning. She is almost healed today (Friday), however, she has a lot of homework to complete.

Ring, Ring,......'.hello'......'taotao, can you go by the school & pick up my homework assignments'? 'sure' (this is @1:30) I have tile cleaning people in my house, & I have to pick Rileigh Shea up from pre-school by 2:30. I decide to leave immediately because the tile people don't want me walking around on their work. I leave the house around 1:45, get within 3 miles of her school & come to a complete stop on hiway 62 (close to 'downtown Newcastle, America') I sit there & I sit there. I decide to get off the street & find another route........what in the hell is going on here? My other route is not a good idea either............OMG!, they are having a parade or something.............yes, it is Homecoming, or something like that. So, OK, I can't reach the school, so I will just pick up Rileigh Shea early, so I do that, then back to the Middle School. By this time the parade is over, the traffic is flowing & I'm good to go. I arrive @the middle school, go inside with Rileigh in tow. 'Hi, I'm Lauren Martin's Grandmother & have come to pick up her homework'. The lady hands over several sheets of paper & says 'here you go'. Then I ask her 'are there any workbooks?' 'Oh, maybe, do you know her locker #? 'No' says I. 'Well, here is her #, take a left from here, and another left at the end of the hall & go all the way down the hall to the left, it's #3013.' So me & miss Rileigh Shea head out. After what seems like a 1/2 mile hike, we find the locker, & what a mess it is. I start digging thru books, & don't know which ones to grab, so I take most of them. Rileigh Shea is not feeling well & is cranky, my back hurts as I try to load about 80# of books in my arms & try to make it back to the car. I'm complaining about my back, & Rileigh starts to cry because 'you back hurts, taotao.' She is a very sensitive child, so I try to convince her that my back Does Not Hurt. OMG, Just get to the car! She cry's most of the way home because she is feeling sorry for me and my hurt back!.............we arrive & I ask Lauren why she has so many duplicate books............no answer that makes any sense to me, but I know one thing for sure, if she plans on returning all these books, she will have to do it 2 or 3 @a time on the school bus, or have her mother deliver them in person..............there is NO WAY she can carry them in one trip!

Ever Crack Yourself Up?

2009-09-23T20:59:00.000-07:00

I crack myself up all the time............guess it's my own self humor & I love it. I just sent a tweet to my grand nephew who is very educated & has his own sense of humor. I'm sure he thinks I'm the biggest DORK, ever, but I don't care. In the tweet I sent him, I was trying to explain something to him & could not spell the word, so, I just picked out another word from the dictionary that made no sense whatsoever. :-)...............I laughed outloud!

SWINE FLU

2009-09-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

My 14 yr old grand daughter, Lauren, has just been diagnosed with swine flu.....quite scary!, especially with a 3 yr. old sister. Two days have gone by and Rileigh Shea (3 yr. old) seems to be okay. Lauren is much better today & I am thankful. I am only recording this because of being gratefull & the history of it is quite new to all of us.

IS IT ME, OR ARE OTHERS AMAZED AS WELL?

2009-09-21T09:16:00.000-07:00

I am continually amazed at present day education. What has happened to 'reading, writing, arithmetic,.......and, spelling? Especially with cashiers around twenty something. For instance, if my bill comes to $16.28 & I hand over $20.03, it throws the cashier into a tizzy if a calculator is not at hand. They are completely bumfuzzled & can't make change.

Last week I decided to open a checking account at a local bank because I bank @a federal credit union out of state. Having a local account keeps me from going to the ATM when I need to pay for service rendered locally. As I sit down to open the account, the bank employee gets off to a fumbling start, because she doesn't remember the password to open the computer. 'Excuse me, I'll be right back' she says as she leaves her desk to get the information. She returns and we continue with our paperwork. 'I'd also like to rent a safety deposit box while I'm here'......'Um, okay, I'll have to get Jennifer to help you with that'. 'OK, that's fine, are you in training'? I ask her. 'Oh no, I've been here quite a while, I just haven't done the safety deposit box deal yet'. We continue on & I pick out my style of checks, & endorse the check I'm using as my initial deposit. She continues to have problems with the information she is entering into the computer. Twenty minutes go by & she is delighted with herself. 'Okay, Ms. King, I think we are finished with opening your account' she says as she slides the check register towards me. 'Um, could you fill this out for me, my husband handles our money, & I've never filled one of these check book thingy's out before'.........true story. Guess I'll just keep a minimal amount of monies in that bank. I'm sure that I could get a job there if I ever need to go back to work!

BEEN RE-READING OLD POST'S

2009-08-08T21:19:00.000-07:00

Remember the post called 'Address Book Found' Well, it was never 'lost'. Vicki had taken it for addresses to invite people to my birthday party. She was amazed that I was looking for it the day after she took it. She never realized that I use it almost daily!

See, how our habits change as we grow older? She NEVER looks at her address book daily. OH WELL!

GERALD KING'S OBITUARY

2009-08-08T17:20:00.000-07:00

Gerald Elvis King 10/22/36-08/02/09

A graveside Funeral Service for Gerald Elvis King, 72, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was held in the Oak Park cemetery, Chandler, Oklahoma @2:00 Saturday, August 08, 2009.

Mr. King passed away Sunday morning, August 02, 2009 at the VA Hospital in Oklahoma City, following a bout with cancer.

Gerald was born on 10/22/36 at Chandler, Lincoln County, Oklahoma, to Herman Elvis & Fannie Lois (Taylor) King.

After graduation from Farmington High School, Farmington, N.M. in 1955, he attended the University of Oklahoma for two years. He returned to Farmington, New Mexico and was employed by El Paso Natural Gas Company until he enlisted into The United States Army in 1959. He was transferred to a NIKE HERCULES MISSAL RANGE in Gary, Indiana.

July 6, 1960, he married Frances Stallman, formerly of Reliance, South Dakota & Farmington, New Mexico @his parents home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Gerald & Fran were the parents of one child, Vicki Lyn King.

Gerald was honorably discharged from the Army in 1962, re-locating to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He & Fran divorced in 1977. They remained friends throughout Gerald's life. She became his caregiver during the last three years of his life.

Gerald worked on cross country pipeline construction from 1965 thru 1972, returned to OKC to open & operate a Skelly Service Station on East Reno until 1978. At this time he became a Real Estate Broker, owned & operated KING/MIZE Realtors until his retirement in 1997.

After retirement, Gerald dabbled in antique sales, and classic automobiles. Both were a passion of his most of his adult life.

Grateful for sharing his life are his daughter, Vicki King Martin, and his ex-wife Fran King.

He is preceded in death by his Father, Herman Elvis King, His Mother, Fannie Lois King, & one sister; Mary Louise Kiker. He is survived by his daughter Vicki & her husband, John Martin. Three granddaughters; Brittany Nicole Martin, (Jeff Wells); Lauren Taylor Martin; & Rileigh Shea Martin; One great granddaughter, Sara Presley Wells, all of the Oklahoma City area. He is also survived by one sister; Janice Carol King Holland of Chandler, Oklahoma; and his ex-wife, Fran King of Newcastle, Oklahoma.

GERALD ELVIS KING 10/22/1936 - 08/02/2009

2009-08-02T08:33:00.000-07:00

Gerald passed away @1:06 this morning while Vicki & I were on the road to the hospital. I saw him at seven, but couldn't wake him for conversation. He would respond to my voice, but didn't speak.

He had a painless, alert last week of his life. He looked better than I had seen him look in several months, and was in very good spirits.......so good, in fact, Vicki & I were concerned he did not understand he was terminal...... :-) I called the hospital to make sure the doctors had explained everything to him.......they called back & said he understood everything. So, I am grateful for his pain free last week and his frame of mind, and sharing his sense of humor each day. I pray he was welcomed into Heaven by his family.

THE BIG SEVENTY HAS COME & GONE

2009-07-30T16:24:00.000-07:00

I am officially seventy years old now, but don't feel much older than when I was fifty. True story. I see some differences, however, in my mind, it is about the same. I am very greatfull for that fact!

My darling daughter just absolutely outdone herself, pulling off a Huge Surprise Birthday Party for me! It was an absolute surprise, and I bawled out loud when I realized what was going on. I was in 'total shock'!

A week or so earlier, my sister Sandy called & said 'I am thinking about coming to OKC, so we can celebrate our birthday's together'...I'm thinking it is a great idea....'come on over, it will be nice to spend time together'. (I have four sisters..we all have birthday's in July, except for one. Karel is 7/23, Sandy is 7/24, I am 7/27, & Barbara is 7/29. Pegge is in January.) So, Sandy arrives on Thursday & I cook & we are really enjoying each others company. Friday is her birthday & I invite my niece Sindi to join us for her birthday dinner @ Johnny Corrino's. Fantastic meal (order the Jalapeno Garlic Talapia...to die for). While having dinner, Sindi announces that she has free movie tickets to the Quail Springs Mall theater,(about 25 miles north of our area, however, they must be utilized by the next day.....did we want to go to a free movie? Of course we did! Maybe Vicki & Lauren would like to come along too.....'sure', says Sindi, 'I'll ask them to join us'.

We get home & I call Vicki & invite her & Lauren & she agrees to meet us there, 'but, Mother, we have already made plans to take Rileigh Shea swimming @Paula's pool. "Paula's pool"? You mean 'Paula, who was your bridesmaid when you married John? I didn't know you and Paula were still in touch' 'Oh ya, we still talk all the time' says vicki. 'OK, then we will just meet you @the movies' says I. 'OK, Mother, sounds like a plan'.

Saturday nite Sindi, Sandy, & I meet for dinner & are getting ready to head north to the theater. On the way there, Vicki calls Sindi & says John has already headed home & can we pick her & Lauren up @ Paula's Apt. Complex (a couple miles from the movie theater). OK, now I'm bitchin 'why didn't John just drop them off on his way home' yadda yadda yadda....'Tell Vicki to be outside the clubhouse, & we will pick them up there', I tell Sindi. Sindi's phone rings again & when she hangs up she says 'Paula wants to see you & say hello', so I respond 'oh, that's nice of her, let me put on some lipstick'. We pull into the parking lot, park, & out comes Vicki to greet us........'Oh, Vicki, I love your top' says I. 'Thanks Mom, she replies as we head for the Clubhouse. As we enter the building I see Brittany & Jeff with a video recorder & she is hollering 'Haaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy' & I holler 'Haaayyyyyy' back, still not registering what is going on. I turn & look & see all these Martin's hollering something, AND THEN I SEE MY TWO TWIN NIECES from Texas...my brother eddie & his wife diane.................That is when I realized what was going on. I Just lost it @that point! I just broke down and bawled & bawled the UGLY CRY! When I got my senses controlled, I saw all my old friends & family around me! Doris & all her girls, Anthony Cable, Katy, It was wonderful. THEN, another surprise! I turned and looked @this person, and it took me a minute to figure out who he was...It was Skip Mc Casland, my first Apartment management boss from 1969! We had a great reunion!

Then came a wonderful video put together by Vicki, & Sindi's son Morgan. It was the best gathering ever. I have watched the video every day since then. At the end it says HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I told Vicki she could use the same vidio @my funeral..........just remove 'happy birthday' & replace it with 'Come Up & See Me Sometime !

Pray for Gerald

2009-07-19T00:03:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago, I went to pick up my ex-husband for an appointment @ the OU Physicians building. It was for a radiation therepy (urology). When I arrived @his home, it was an awful awakening on my part. He was totatly naked, & took him about 10 minutes to open the door. I was in shock to see how much weight he had lost in the past week, let alone how his body looked like a skeleton. I knew he had lost a lot of weight, but never expected to see what I saw. I just cried. I had been seeing him every week for months, but had not seen him naked in a couple years. He could barely walk on this day. It was absoulty astounding, and I can not remove the vision from my mind. He is in the VA hospital as I write, and I think he will never leave there this time. He has several liesions on his lungs, sore to touch (his entire body), and is terminal. Depending on the type & strength of pain medication, he still has his sound mind.

I fell madly in love with this man in 1958, and thru all our trials and tribulatons, I have a love for him still. .........

ADDRESS BOOK FOUND

2009-07-16T19:06:00.000-07:00

I arrived back from South Dakota more than a couple of weeks ago. A few days ago (like a week or so), I decided to call someone....looked for my address book, to no avail.

Where in the hell is my address book? I looked & looked. I had remembered seeing it after our trip, OR, did I? Is Alzheimer's creeping in? NO, surely not! I checked out every place possible place that Miss Rileigh Shea could have possibly put it. Finally, yesterday, I showed her a piece of luggage that had the same design. 'Rileigh, see this luggage, it has a map on it Did you take my 'book' with a map & hide it? No, Taotao, I don't take your book'.......okay, so, never mind. Yesterday she comes into my office with a Rand McNally Atlas.........'Taotao, here is your map book'..........now, how smart is that!? Finally, I alerted my sister in South Dakota...did I leave it there? I alerted my niece that drove us to South Dakota, did I leave it in her van?....Nope & Nope. Today Lauren came down for a visit. I had made some 'peanut butter candy balls', and she picked up a couple, dropping one behind the couch cushion. 'Lauren, get that candy you dropped, it will cause ants', I screamed! 'Don't worry, taotao, I'm getting it'...........Low & Behold, she pulled out 'MY ADDRESS BOOK!...........see!

REVERSED MORTGAGE, OR NOT?

2009-07-15T20:16:00.000-07:00

About a week or so ago, I was thinking about doing a 'reversed mortgage' on my home. It could really put a lot of cash in my much needed pocket. I contacted two or three reverse mortgage companies, and, Oh My God, they're mostly worse than used car salesmen! I was BOMBARDED all week, well, this is Wednesday, but I was overwhelmed with calls solidly for the past three days! Some were nice & professional, some pushy, & some absolute dicks! I have committed to a company with whom I feel comfortable. I am feeling positive about my decision. Maybe now I will travel more, or not. Maybe I'll just fill my propane tank and 'chill'. Nice to have an option.

DO THESE PANTS MAKE ME LOOK FAT?

2009-07-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

Nothing really much to say about this except from left to right is pegge, barbara & me. Pegge has passed away since this photo, but mine & barbara's asses look about the same......as she says, we're a little broad across the beam!

Vicki has had lap band surgery & is looking very well and dwindling way down. Sindi & I are thinking about doing the same, & need Barbara down here to do the deed with us.

EVER BEEN TO THE DOLLAR STORE?

2009-07-11T20:45:00.000-07:00

Today was my first trip to 'The Dollar Store'. What a treat! Everything in the store is one dollar. I came out with three picture frames, three halogen light bulbs, & a beautiful star shaped deep dish to hold candy. Seven dollars well spent! I could'nt beleive it. They have everything under the sun. Can't wait to go back when I have an extra fifty to spend! They even have name brand stuff.........just need to know where to go, sometimes.

OH, MOM, THIS WILL MAKE YOU LOOK 10 YEARS YOUNGER

2009-07-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

Lauren comes over yesterday and announces she is getting a haircut....just a little off the ends...& some dark highlights. 'Great', says I. 'What time is your appointment'? She told me it was @seven o'clock. My first thought was 'John is off tonite, so he will probably watch Rileigh Shea'.

Vicki is usually home from work around 5:30, so when it got close to 6:00, I asked Lauren if she had heard from her mother. Yes she had. 'But taotao, you know when I said my appointment was @7:00'? 'Yes'? 'Well, it IS @seven, but my Mom is doing my hair, she is @the beauty supply place getting the stuff & will be here soon'. I knew by her tone & body language that meant my kitchen was soon to be our own private little beauty shop. 'And, taotao, Mom & I were thinkin that there would be enuf hair color left over, we could color your hair too, if you want to'. Oh My God! they're talking about me behind my back, and think I look OLD & HAGGARD! 'Lauren, I thought y'all liked my silvery hair, you've always said........'we do like your silvery hair, taotao, we're just sayin....you might like a change' 'Well, you're probably right, a change may do me good'.

Wondering again what brought on their conversation about making my hair dark? Maybe it's because a week or so ago, I had Sindi glue individual eyelashes on me like she always did in the '80's. They were wonderful, looked very natural, and lasted a long time. When she arrived @my house that Sunday, she found not only the 'single' individual lash, but a new lash we had not seen....it was individual but flared out. So, she mixed them.......Well, let me tell you, Carol Channing had nothing on me! Of course, I exagerate..but next time, I'll stick to the singles.

Lauren gets to be first while Rileigh drags out my dish towels for me to make her a cape & hood, then gets a baggie for her basket. She is Little Red Riding Hood & I'm The Big Bad Wolf......we play this @least once a day, but I get to do it twice this day! :-) While Lauren is washing her hair, I'm already on the stool for my application. I am now thinking that I have lived with this silvery hair for three or four years now......so, don't go into shock, scream, or start bawling when you look in the mirror. 'Oh, I don't know about this, Vicki'. 'What's to worry, you will look ten years younger when I am finished' she boasts.

Well, I didn't even need a mirror. As soon as Lauren washed & towel dried my hair, they both howled and screamed with laughter! Rileigh just looked on in horror.

Ten years younger MY ASS. I look like all those seventy and eighty year old filipino people on Guam. They all dye their hair jet black until their dying day...each & everyone of them! Vicki was calling me Elvis, but the vision of Korea's Kim Jong Il kept creeping into my mind.

PATRIOTISM WAS ALIVE @ MOORE WARREN THEATER JULY 4TH

2009-07-05T09:03:00.000-07:00

My niece Sindi and I had a late lunch yesterday (July 4th) and decided to take in a movie, rather watch fireworks in the rain. A storm was brewing and headed our way. Public Enemies was a good choice. I loved the soundtrack & classic automobiles as much as the script.

I must post what a heart warming surprise Bill Warren had for all his patrons prior to showtime. This booming voice came over the sound system (same booming voice they always have for announcements) acknowledging the Birth of Our Country, This Great Land of America. There was the recitation of 'The Ragged Old Flag' by Johnny Cash, followed by 'The Pledge of Allegiance' by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Everyone jumped to their feet @ first note.

I've been concerned with our country's lack of patriotism, but Bill Warren restored my hope.

If you don't have a Warren Theater in your neighborhood, you're absolutely missing out! They are Art Deco design with forty foot ceilings etc, etc......check out www.warrentheatres.com

PAGE 449

2009-07-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

Alcoholics Anonymous has a Big Book for reference, for comfort, for sanity, to pick up and read any time for whatever reason, in order to help you stay sober one day at a time.

On page 449 it reads:

And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation--some fact of my life--unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God's world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and my attitudes.

Well hell, what a concept. I was reminded of page 449 yesterday. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the WORLD, as on what needs to be changed in ME AND MY ATTITUDES.

ACCEPTANCE IS THE KEY. Thank you my friend, of the reminder........I needed it!

SO GLAD TO BE HOME!

2009-06-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

Well, the trip to South Dakota was not a very good experience for my fourteen year old grand daughter, and, not much better for her Taotao. Maybe we had to many 'expectations'. The car travel 'up north' was fun. We made many stops & our driver (Sindi) was a great companion. Lauren & her cousin Taylor met for the first time. Lauren is 14, a soccer enthusiast, and all about sports. Taylor is 15, and a girly girly, and all about make up & all that implys. The first 500 miles, they were in seperate seats & quiet. The second 500 miles, they bonded somewhat. We spent our first nite in the Black Hills & the next day was a great day to explore Mount Rushmore, The Custer State Park, & The Badlands of South Dakota. What a glorious site. They really had a good time @the badlands, and I think they will always remember that experience. We then arrived at my sister's home for a few days. Day one: Sindi's car was in trouble & needed attention. (sent to the garage). I felt stranded at that point....

I wanted to show my granddaughter so many things, but transportation was limited. My Sister had a house full of company that weekend (Fathers Day) and she was tired. Then we arrived. I think we were too much for her. She did entertain us. We played scrabble (one of her favorite games), not mine, by the way....she always beats me....but my grand daughter likes the game.

Our trip south was uneventful. Lots of stops, lots of drinks & chips, lots of silence, and lots of Wah Hoo's when we reached the Oklahoma Border.......You have to be an OKIE to understand reaching the Oklahoma State Line.........................

HEAD'N FOR THE HILLS....THE BLACK HILLS

2009-06-18T06:35:00.000-07:00

Sixteen hours ago, sitting @my computer, I couldn't get in a standing position. I had no hope of making my long planned trip to South Dakota on friday morning, but oh, the miracle of medicine!

About a week ago I was walking across the room & felt a little twinge in my lower back...just one of those 'gotcha' pricks. Hmmmm? what was that all about? Sunday morning, while bent over putting lotion on my feet, I feel it again as I was straightening up. Vicki comes over monday evening & I tell her I've been getting a little hitch in my getalong for a few days. 'Where does it hurt mom'? 'right here', showing her the location. 'Oh, I know, I get those every once in a while too' she tells me. Tuesday I'm reaching for a cookbook on top of my refridgerator and let out this loud grunt and a lot of #&!*%@&#. 'What happened Taotao'? says Lauren......'oh, nothing, a pain just shot thru my back, I'm okay'. Yesterday (wednesday) I could tell all was not right with the world & taotao when it was time to roll out of bed.....and, I mean ROLL. I could not stand erect for a few minutes. Lauren & Rileigh arrive & she offers to go to her house & get me some ibuprofen. My God! I don't even have ibuprofen in my empty medicine cabinet (meaning a corner in my kitchen cabinet IF I did take medication). I take the medication & within thirty minutes, the pain subsides.

Taotao, will you drive me over to my friend Sara's house, we're going to hang out today.....sure. After lunch, I put Rileigh down for her nap around 2:30 & I fall asleep as well. I wake up within thirty minutes to use the bathroom......OUCH! my ibuprofen is wearing off...OUCH, OUCH...I don't think I can get up! I have to get up! I hobble over to a straight back chair @my computer, I'm in severe pain & crying. I have a very high tollerance for pain, folks, so I know I'm in big trouble. I'm sitting with my back to the phone & can't turn around to reach it! Shit!, I can't even take a deep breath. I look down @my feet & legs......oh good, I can move them. I sit here helpless. Miss independant me is helpless! Finally I realize I can use the computer, so I email Papa (John's dad) with a SOS & I forward it on to Sindi, just in case they are on their computers. They were not. I take my stapler & knock the phone out of its stand, so I can reach it & call John to leave a voice mail because I know it's not time for him to get up (works nites). Then I leave a voicemail on Vicki's phone (can't receive phone calls @work), I call Lauren to leave a voice mail...(she usually just text messages)...Of course, I don't know how to do that.....Oh, I know how to type the words, I just don't know how to send them........Then I called Brittany and she saved me. She texted her mother, offered to come over (lives 40 miles away) & she called Jim & Sara (John's folks, who live about 3 miles away). They came over immediately, woke up John, Sara brought more ibuprofen to put in my system so the guys could get me up off the chair. Not a pretty site, guys....

Sara makes some phone calls, Vicki will meet Jim & I at the hospital ER, Sara stays back to watch Rileigh as John has to get ready for work. Jim transports me to a brand new community hospital....I was very impressed with everyone we came in contact with (sorry about the preposition @the end of my sentence, Mrs. Anderson.)

Xrays were taken as well as one of those fifty question history inquiries.....The good Doctor's diagnosis: Arthritis....my #1 & 2 lumbar vertibra are bone to bone. But, he said since I've had no problems with my back since 1995 (when I lived on Guam & was told then that I needed back surgery)is a good sign & the fact that (4) ibuprofen gave me relief earlier in the day was a good sign. So I will make an appointment with my Orthopedic Surgeon & take from there.

The good Doctor said he was prescribing steroids to reduce the inflamation, loritabs for pain, & a muscle relaxer......and, that I should be good to go on that SD trip.....use my own good judgement 'Good judgement' is something new to me...........where was it thirty years ago! I'm anxious to show Lauren Mt. Rushmore, The Badlands, the Corn Palace & the little town where I was raised.

So, the moral of this story: 'Here's Your Sign'

OH MY GOD, JULIE IS THAT YOU?

2009-06-11T16:53:00.000-07:00

Had a wonderful surprise @the supermarket today, and no, it wasn't the price of pork. Early this morning I took Gerald for his procedure @the VA hospital. We both left our cell phones home, so I didn't get to meet up with Katy as I usually do. We had a good lunch, then off to the supermarket......no list today, Gerald went in with me & got on one of those driving baskets. We're coming down an isle & as I look up, there is this pretty lady giving me a big grin & stops in her tracks. I could feel a big hug coming my way...'Julie, is that you'? 'Yesssss, fran, it is'. We were both elated to see one another & I had a hundred questions, & got a lot of information in a short time. We will continue on the phone next week.

Julie was around 12 the last time I saw her. Her mother (Mae) worked for me @Railhead as a maid for years.....probably ten at least & I was close to hers & her husband John's family. Mae is from Ireland and all that entails, John is from Oklahoma & all that entails, They were very much in love and it showed. It was nice to see. In fact it was Mae's sister in law who sold me my acreage on Guam. All the years I knew Rosa, I thought she was a Mexican lady until I made the announcement I was moving to Guam & found out she was Chamorro.

Julie informed me that her parents still live in Bethany, (same address), & that her brother, Kevin lost his first wife & is getting married again Saturday, her sister Sheila is coming in from Illinois, & blah, blah, blah........I find it amazing that we could recognize each other twenty-one years down the road. Especially since she was only twelve, and I was a size 10.........oh, ya, now I remember...she did know me as being as fat as I am now, because I was this size from the time she was four to about ten.................

FRUSTRATION with LACK of customer service

2009-06-04T19:13:00.000-07:00

I'm getting old and frustrations should be 'few and far between', however, sometimes they are not. Yesterday I was making a 'follow up' phone call for a loan I had applied for about ten days ago. The application said I would get a 'deny or approve' within seventy two hours'. I waited, and waited, to no avail. So yesterday I called them back...'Hello, this is fran king, I applied for a loan........excuse me, Mrs. King, let me transfer you to that department'........Hello, this is Kathy........'oh, hi Kathy, this is fran king, I applied for a loan about ten days ago & someone was supposed to get back to me in 72 hours... is the loan for the mortgage, automobile, or personal department? says Kathy'....I tell her, 'one moment please,...'what is your SS#' ? I tell her. 'OK, Mrs. King, I will transfer you to Albert, he has your file, & will be able to help you'. 'Thanks'. 'Hello, this is Albert (chomp, chomp, chomp) can I help you'? 'Yes, this is fran king, & blah blah blah, 'excuse me, (chomp chomp) what is your SS#'? I repeat it again. 'Well, let me see, chitch ta chitch ta chitch ta chitch.......'oh ya, here it is', chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp...'didn't I send you an email''? 'No, I haven't heard from anyone' says I, and wanted to scream in the phone 'Don't you get an effing lunch break'? 'Oh, it's been transferred to so & so department, we will get back with you in a couple of days, chomp, chomp, chitch ta chitch ta chitch'! 'Thanks for calling SOB BANK'. What in the world has happened to CUSTOMER SERVICE? There is none. To make matters worse: today I needed to mail in the second half of my property taxes & decided to go to the Post Office to send them off as I did not have a stamp, (BECAUSE I pay all my bills online) I paid the first half of my property taxes ONLINE 12/31/08, but when I tried to pay the second half(+ interest cuz I'm late) I was informed that I could NOT. 'Why is that? I do not understand, if I can pay the first half, or pay IN FULL on 12/31, then why can't I pay the second half online'? says I. "Because that's OUR RULES" says she........OMG, that explains everything! So I drive over to the P.O. (approximately four miles) & BELIEVE THIS OR NOT... our POST OFFICE DOES NOT HAVE A STAMP MACHINE!........A POST OFFICE WITHOUT A STAMP MACHINE, CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? ..SHIT! I ain't EVEN believing this.........maybe it's a PODUNK, OKLAHOMA thang........

OK, I've Fought The Fight..And Gave In Today

2009-05-29T18:26:00.000-07:00

Nap: A brief sleep, often during the day, to be unaware of imminent danger or trouble. Says Webster. I have often needed a nap, but would not succumb. It is a practice of old people, and I do not want to admit I'm getting OLD! Admit or not, it is glaring me in the face. Everyday, for months, the NAP has been beckoning me, noooooooo, I won't go.

Today, as most mornings, I awake around six o'clock. (Think this is a built in alarm from my fifty years of being in the workforce.) Sometimes I just roll over and sleep another hour or so, but not today. I make my usual pot of strong ass coffee and troll the internet. I have several blogs I follow, so I catch up on them. Go out and water my plants...make breakfast, and watch The View.

Lauren is out of school, so I ask her to go with me to pick up our 'repaired two wheeler weed eater'. We return around 2:00. I am getting sleepy, but fight it until 4:00, then think 'what the hell is up with this........go lay down'...I did, & when I woke up @5:30 I felt great. Got out the mower & manicured my acre for an hour or so. It was a great refreshing time out there on that mower......I think it was the NAP that did it. Maybe I will try it again.

Visited 'Papa King' Today

2009-05-23T18:43:00.000-07:00

Vicki, Rileigh Shea, & I went to visit Papa King today. It breaks my heart to see him regularly losing weight & getting more frail each time I see him. He has always had a stocky build, and wore it well. A very good looking man. He is on his way to being 73 in October. We had a very nice visit, he had been in his yard preparing a 'canna bed' I think he said he had 50 bulbs to plant.....that's a lot of canna's, I'm a thinkin. I am going back in the morning to take him grocery shopping.........I will take his 'list' and he will wait in the car, as usual.........that's the drill. I am glad that I can do 'this chore' for him. One day I may be in the same dependable situation. Oh, Lord God, I can not even put that picture in my mind. I think I'll be one of those people that live well into the eighties & go out with a bang....do you hear me, dear Lord..........Please & Thanks, as barbara says........

A Gardener, I Am Not!

2009-05-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

I have been spoiled most of my adult life when it comes to yard work and home maintenance. I do not like being 'responsible' for either one. Since retiring and moving to the countryside, both issues are a pain in my ass. Being in Property Management afforded me the opportunity and LUXURY of sending my 'maintenance men' to my home and 'fix' whatever was broken, or, manicure my lawn and flower gardens, at a whim. The same continued when I moved to Guam, and, again when I continued to manage The Lodge @Tiburon'. Now, it is a few years later, and here I am, sitting on two acres.........with no maintenance man to direct, no husband to help, no significant other, just me..........and, my Rileigh Shea! She loves to 'help her taotao out in the yard'. She will do anything to be outdoors. Today we planted a container of 'perennial wild flowers'....love, love, love wildflowers.....reminds me of living on the farm & going out into the pasture on summer days to pick 'bluebells', and other assorted wildflowers......stayed gone for hours.

I have planted a few beautiful trees in the past couple of weeks......a couple of huge weeping willows, a plum, and a 12' fountain cherry......watering, is another fun chore.............my garden hose won't reach one of them, so, it is a big deal for Rileigh to fill my pail over & over in order to water this tree. Maintenance Men, where are you? Speaking of maintenance men, my 'head maintenance man' from the Tiburon Lodge called me today to say 'hello', and pass along good thoughts'....thanks, Armando. Employment in Glorious California is not looking so glorious. He has job security, but said it is getting noticeably worse in his area. I had no answers for him. I have few for myself. This recession is pretty scary. Where is my BIG Stimulous Check!

Hate it when 'habitual' kicks in

2009-05-20T20:28:00.000-07:00

We are all creatures of habit, all of us. I went to visit my best friend this weekend. We were having a drink out on her deck, and discussing all that needed to be discussed between us. She is still in 'The Work Force', and I am not, so I enjoy her tales of war, err, work........ Friday is 'casual dress day' at her place of employment, and evidently my friend wears the same casual pants each Friday. I don't think she was aware of her habit, (I know she wasn't) until a casual function was on the horizon, and a co-worker exclaimed.......'just come in your 'friday pants'..........see how we are.........and are not aware that no one else notices?
THEY NOTICE!

What is this severe throbbing @the end of my legs?

2009-05-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

Oh, that........that would be my feet. Having had the experience of shopping with my daughter since she was a teenager, you would think I would have learned my lesson by now, some thirty plus years later. But nooooooooo, I'm a slow learner.

Vick's sister in law, Shelly, is getting married June 14th, and it is a big deal in the Martin household. Shelly waited a long time to find her true love. The whole family will dress in Shelly's 'colors', and yesterday was the outing to find a dress for my thirteen year old granddaughter, Lauren. She is a tomboy and has been heavy into soccer since she was a small child. Her interests now include track and basketball. She is NOT into dresses, so this was reason enuf to tag along on this excursion. I bought her a beautiful crimson dress when she was five and was in her Christmas program. I doubt that she has worn a dress since then. Kinda like her taotao, I haven't worn a dress since 1983.

So, we head out around 2:30, with Rileigh Shea in tow, (she's three). Yes, she IS THREE, and that is about all I need to say about that. The first store was a total flop. I think the realization of actually wearing a dress was soaking in with Lauren. She turned her nose up at all suggestions, may have tried one on....and, looking @dress shoes was a whole other issue. And, let the games begin with Rileigh and taotao playing 'hide & seek' under the racks of clothing! Well, I'm not really playing, more like chasing, and scolding. I'm already getting a 'twitch', and realizing this was going to be a stressful outing, to say the least. Nothing there, so on to our second store, a small boutique. Lauren finds a dress in the right color, and kinda likes it, looks at me & says 'okay, taotao, I think we're done...this one is okay...c'mon, Mom, lets take this one'. But the shopper Vicki is, thinks we need the clerk to hold it for us while we check out yet another store.......off we go to our third department store. Oh My God!, it was like walking into a huge garage sale as far as I was concerned (Kohls). By the time we leave there without even finding a single garment to suit Lauren, it must be around six o'clock. Next stop is Gordmans department store & it was worse than Kohls. Then on to a shoe store........had good luck & found a cute pair of black patten leather flats that Lauren agreed to wear, so, back to our boutique. I'm thinking this is going to be quick because the clerk has our dress on hold. Wrong! Vicki & Lauren decide to check out the casual sports clothing. My swollen feet are hurting and, Rileigh is getting more out of control, so she & I go outside for fresh air. After thirty minutes or so of us 'playing' outside, I hear a horn honk, and it's Vicki & Lauren. I hobble to the curb & climb in. 'Mother, are your knees hurting'? (I had two knee replacements done four years ago). 'No, my knees are in great shape, but my feet & ankles are turning numb!', says I. Since being retired, I have been super lazy in the exercise department, and boy that laziness was rearing its ugly head yesterday. 'Are you hungry? I thought we would stop & get something to eat'. 'Well, yes, as a matter of fact I am, I skipped breakfast for a pot of strong ass coffee, so then I wasn't hungry by lunch time'

Off to the Deli we go and order a great meal. Miss Rileigh Shea is getting acquainted with all the customers in our area, 'hi, what's you name? I Rileigh Shea Maatin' etcetera, etcetera. It felt very good to sit for a spell & enjoy our good food.

We leave the Deli, and by now it has to be around seven thirty or eight o'clock. We are driving along and when I recognize a street sign, I'm thinking 'this is not the way home, we're going south, not west'. 'Vicki, are we going south to Norman'? 'Yes, Mother, we're on our way to Dillards, Lauren wants some 'Ed Hardy' perfume' 'You have got to be shit'in me......look @the time'! 'Oh, calm down, Mother, it's good for you to get out once in a while'.........We're in Dillards trying on more clothes..this time for Vicki. Finally I insist Lauren purchase her perfume so we can leave.........'the cashier's are counting out their cash registers for Christ's sake'.........let's go!....Rileigh is bugging me to take her back to the 'gum ball' machine where we stopped when we first arrived....'taotao, you got more money? Bebe want's more gum'.....Vicki & Lauren are laughing at me for my impatience, & I am telling them 'this is it...never invite me on another shopping trip'! We finally leave the store (have to, it's closing time)..........but it's not the end, we stop at McDonalds for McCafe for us & John & ice cream cones for Lauren & Rileigh........and, finally head home.

I drag my crippled swollen feet into the house, It is 10:05! Over seven hours of walking around department stores! I had stripped my bed & washed my sheets before leaving on our excursion, my mattress pad & un-pillowcased pillows were waiting. I didn't even bother to make my bed, I just crawled in. It was wonderful just to get off my aching feet. Then the McCafe coffee started to 'kick in'. I had to hobble to the bathroom every hour or so until three o'clock.

I love you, my darling daughter, but please do not invite me on another shopping trip for at least six months. I promise I will get out more, but in my own fashion........your muete

Two Shorts and One Long

2009-05-08T20:17:00.000-07:00

Well, since I am on the topic my home town of Reliance, South Dakota, I am having fond memories of 'how it was waaay back then', circa 1945. I am remembering when Mama & Daddy first moved to the farm that is forever imprinted into my mind. It was three miles south of town. I am thinking they had (two) already constructed shells put in place..(thinking graneries), both positioned into a short 'T' shape. I am remembering 'Junior Schelle and Russell Black' coming out during the summertime to help Daddy construct a house from these two buildings. There was no plumbing to be concerned with, nor electricity. We had an 'outhouse' for a toilet, and lamps to give us lighting during the evenings and nite time. We were very happy and content. In our winter time, we sometimes placed food in snowbanks. We used an 'ice box', where we placed a huge block of ice into it's compartment, to keep food 'cool'...hence, the icebox. I can't remember the kitchen stove, it must have been wood burning, or possibly propane gas. We had one heating stove in our living room. Our humble home consisted of a kitchen, living room & two bedrooms, probably no more than eight or nine hundred square feet, and by the middle of the decade, they had four girls. We had a community telephone line with an 'operator'. All calls went thru this operator. We were on a 'country line'. Our signal was : two short rings & one long ring. (that's when we knew it was for our house), but, being on a country line meant that everyone else on this line could 'listen in' to all conversations. So, this was a good 'gossip' tool. And, believe me!, Everyone listened in.

I remember Mama getting her 'Singer sewing machine' while we lived there, (I have it @my home today) & remember that she and about three other ladies traveled to Mitchell, SD (which was 80 or 90 miles away) periodically to 'take sewing & tayloring' lessons. Irene Cullen was one of the ladies. Mama turned out to be a wonderful seamstress. She made all of our clothes, including our coats, & Daddy's suits. She sewed most of her life. I loved my Mama unconditionally all of her life, no matter how many up's & down's we encountered. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY, MAMA.

barbara, you are allowed to make any corrections to 'my memory'.......I know yours is better than mine.

Reliancehigh.com

2009-05-06T20:55:00.000-07:00

About three months ago, my sister barbara coerced me into helping her create a 'highschool website'. Sounded like a 'good idea', so, I agreed to help to put one together for our little town of Reliance, South Dakota. We now have the website up and running, and, if I have to say so myself, it looks pretty damn good. The only problem is, is that not that many people have actually 'signed up'. Oh, we have hundreds of 'looky lou's', but only a few actually getting involved. No one presently living in our 'old home town' has logged on. I have a feeling it may have something to do with a negative letter I wrote to the 'Town Board' after visiting a reunion in the summer of 2008.

My cousin, my sisters & I were making our 'around town & country drive', doing the 'remember when thing' and making our personal comments about what we were seeing. My cousin goes, 'we all need to write a letter to the town board about the condition of Reliance'. We all agree, and when I returned to Oklahoma, I fire off my letter. As it turns out, I am the ONLY ONE to do so. I'm certain I offended the whole town. I hope I am not Tarred and Feathered the next time I return, or barred from the next reunion. I just have not learned the meaning of 'Diplomacy' in all my years.

Forgive me Father, for I have sinned..........................once again. Reliance, forgive me.

Death's Door and Heaven's Gate

2009-05-05T19:52:00.000-07:00

I received disturbing news today from my dear friend, Katy. She has been the caretaker for her sister for the past several years, because she has COPD, and other related illness'. Now she is in a downward spiral with her health, has become very thin and frail, however, I know she has a wonderful relationship with God Almighty. Truth known, Trela is probably more comfortable with her situation than Katy is. Isn't it amazing how the person that is about to leave this earth, is more at peace with their departure, than the people 'left behind'. The Hospice nurses have said her sister seems to be giving up', and, I say, why not give up, look what she has to look forward to in God's Glorious Kingdom! I was at death's door when I was quite young. I had a heart attack & was rushed to the hospital. My daughter was only four years old. As I lay in intensive care, hooked up to a monitor, I hear this noise, and when I look up at the monitor and see the flat line. I remember my ONLY thought was 'Oh, it is true, your heart stops before your brain'....Hail Mary full of Grace.......I had no fear of dying, my only concern was getting to Heaven. May God Bless and comfort both of my friends.

Common Sense Sometimes Just Disappears

2009-05-04T13:05:00.000-07:00

Just sent Sindi a note inquiring about her 49th birthday that just passed last week, and had a flashback to my 49th.

Looking back, who was that dumbass? At the time, I had fallen head over heels in love with a Chamoru (native of guam) a year or so before my 49th. He was my Julio Iglesias, & I was his Queen of effing Sheba. After his many trips to Oklahoma, and my many trips to Micronesia, I made this brilliant decision (with plenty of persuasion on his part), to re-locate to this tiny island in the middle of the Pacific. Throwing caution to the wind, leaving a great job I'd held for nearly 15 years, my beautiful home, my adult daughter, friends, and all that was familiar, my mind was made up. In preparation, I attended & graduated from a local Travel Agent's School, took Japanese lessons, pulled the monies from my 401K, and purchased my airfare one month after turning 49.

I received a lot of advice from friends, some positive, some negative, and some blatantly stating 'You have lost your ever lovin mind'! Turns out they were all right. There I was, very pretty, very thin, and, very stoooopid, only I didn't recognize the stupid part at the time.

Regrets? yes, some. Amends? yes, I made several. Happy times? about 75/25.

I stayed eleven years and loved the island life, never got 'rock fever', and would still be there if it was just a little closer. Julio & I went our separate ways, but he will never leave my heart, which may cause some to wonder about my ever lovin mind, however, I HAVE made some strides in the common sense department....moshi, moshi, & domo arrigato,Ohioyu, & konichiwa is about all the Japanese I remember, but my geography & airport destination icons are still intact. sayonara, Julio ni guahan

VA Hospital & Grocery shopping

2009-04-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

OK, today was my ex-husband's day @ the VA hospital, and then on to our six week 'grocery shopping' trip.........meaning I shop according to his 'list', including exact amounts & exact brands..do not waiver from the list...OMG, this is an adventure to say the least. Today, we are going to a 'store' we have never been to before......A Latino Store with a Grand Opening Sale! I swear to GOD!, I was in there for over two hours.........BUT, I came out with TWO shopping carts of food, and spent $102.00! He actually purchased over 40# of meat in the deal.........I am not kidding, folks. It was unreal. Mounds & mounds of fresh fruit & veggies, and a variety of canned goods & dried goods.....UNBELIEVABLE.............WalMart.........you stink

Wait, Weight, What's you're problem....

2009-04-29T21:04:00.000-07:00

Well, the problem is, is everything in my life is in a wait and weight mode. My daughter, Vicki had lap band surgery a few months ago. Like, six months ago. She has lost 45 pounds to date....kinda slow, but that is how she wants to lose her weight. Soooo, Miss Me is thinking, 'boy, this is really a slow process', however, miss me has probably gained five pounds since her surgery :-) She is really showing her efforts at this writing. She has probably dropped MAJOR sizes in her clothing So, now I am envious! Sunday morning I started this big time low carb diet...I know it really works, cuz I've seen it happen in other people. Persistance is the game, and I have to get creative in my menu in order to make it through a few months. Being fat is such a bitch.............

Why do I feel guilty for sleeping late....& everything else?

2009-04-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

It's 8:45 saturday morning & my phone is ringing....been awake, but still dozing. rrrrring, rrrring......(where's my damn teeth?) oh, here they are, under my pillow. 'Uh, hello'. 'Mother, are you still asleep'? 'No', my voice answers sounding like a foghorn...'you are too' says my daughter, laughing. 'Do you have any good coffee, (meaning Starbucks) all we have is '8 o'clock' 'sorry, that is all I have too'. Then I start to justify why it took me so long to answer.......does she even care if I am sleeping or not? No. It's me & my mind feeling guilty for still being in bed. I don't know why I think I'm supposed to be up & productive. What is up with that? I'm nearly seventy, retired, and have no one to answer to, yet I'm feeling guilty. Does Medicare pay for therapy?

My best friend Katy

2009-04-09T18:45:00.000-07:00

Some days are good, and some, are just better....Today was one of those 'just better' days. My best friend in this world came to visit, and it was a great day. She is Katy, we have been friends since probably around 1980. We know the 'in's & out's' of each other, and have an acceptance of one other including all our warts. Warts are hard to accept for some people, but not us. We have no expectations. It's nice to have someone to speak with openly.......and take down your Christmas lights that are dangling from the rooftop in April.

I love you, Katy, warts or not.......fran

I'm a Great Grandmother

2009-04-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

I just became a great grandmother. Sara Presley Wells was born @1:37pm, Monday, March 30th. She is a beautiful, healthy girl weighing in @7lbs 5oz, & is 19 &1/2 inches long, with white blond hair. After I turned 40 I started thinking about becoming a grandmother, but being a great grandmother never really entered my mind. No, it doesn't make me feel any older. In fact, in my case, nothing really makes 'me feel any older'. The years keep adding on, but I feel the same. Well.......until I look in a mirror, and see The Big Fat Truth Looking Back At Me!

Milk is all I needed

2009-03-16T16:41:00.000-07:00

Saturday nite I decided to fry up some chicken nuggets with cream gravy. No milk.....no problem, Braums ice cream store is only a mile or so away, I'll make a quick trip. While I'm in there passing all the ice cream, I take a gander..oh look, they have all new eye catching packaging, so I pick up one of my favorites (black cherry amaretto yogurt), grab some orange juice & proceed to check out. I have a cold & started coughing. The cashier smiles sympathizingly. 'Sounds like you have a bad cold', 'yes, I sure do', says I smiling. ' I had one too, ended up going to the emergency room @ 3 A.M. in the morning' (love it when someone uses 'A.M'.in the morning...aren't they the same?) She continues, 'I was @the emergency room for over two hours & the doctor prescribes this cough syrup. I went to walmart to get the prescription filled & do you know how much they wanted for that cough syrup? 'Hunh Uh'? '$38.00'! I just told them I didn't want it & went & got some stuff off the shelf'. 'My husband died last year, but if he was still alive, he would'nt have let me get by with doing that'. (I'm still smiling and acting interested in her tale) 'Ya, he was a real stickler when it came to following Doctor's orders........my daughter is the same way, so I didn't even tell her I was going to the emergency room', 'she woulda had a fit' she continued. I stopped smiling...'excuse me, did you give me a receipt'? 'Oh, honey, I'm sorry, here it is.....I was just telling my friend Shirley.......'Hell, for $38.00, I coulda got a good bottle of whiskey'! 'Yes, I'm sure you could have', I'm agreeing as I make my exit. I get to the car & realize I forgot my milk, but there is no way in hell I'm going back in there. I stop @the Conoco across the street & get A pack of cigarettes, A Sunday paper, & a 1/2 gallon of milk. $10.83! ......cigarettes have gone from $3.85 to $5.50 a pack in one week, & the Sunday paper has gone from $1.50 to $2.00 in the past week.. My yogurt was the same price in its cute new packaging, but noticed when I got home it read: 3 pints, (not 1/2 gallon) I keep saying I have to stop smoking even tho a pack lasts me a couple of days. Nicotine patches have probably climbed to a hundred dollars a box by now.

Stallman Family Reunion, 2010

2009-03-04T19:36:00.000-08:00

Okay, barbara & our cousin mary ann, are planning a Stallman family reunion, June, 2010 in Reliance, South Dakota. It's been in the works for over a year or so, but now the pressure is on. barbara has a wonderful 'stallman website', with all our history from kingdom come. I am absolutely amazed at all the hours & hours of work she has done with our website. It would be a disgrace not to show up and participate. We are all encouraged to write about our lives, trials & tribulations, & include pictures, or not. As for me & my daughter, and her family, we will most certainly be there. If my ex husband, gerald, thinks he can make the trip, he can be there also. I'm updating my information on her website as I write.....thanks, barbara, for all the extensive, investigative work you do. Barbara keeps up with a lot of our relatives, especially those in Minnesota & Iowa. I could probably brush shoulders with most of them & not know if he or she is related......pretty sad, but true.

To Be Or Not To Be

2009-03-02T18:19:00.000-08:00

Are you computer literate? For me....ya, just a little bit...............but for some folks in my hometown.....NOT! My niece Sindi Speck is 'on fire' to create a Reliance Highschool Alumni webpage, designed from the same format as her Highschool Alumni in Duchnese, Utah. It is a wonderful, informative, personal (as much as you want to reveal about yourself) and very interesting to other graduates (or not). My sister, barbara suggested it to some people in the alumni association, and others not associated with the alumni, in my hometown, only to be discarded, to absolute excitement. She discovered most of the people she encountered did not EVEN have a computer. WHAT??? You can not be serious! I am in absolute shock over this declaration. Anyway, it is true, and it does not matter. Barbara, Sindi, & I are going through with this website and it will be a wonderful experience for everyone. I think it will be exciting to see where people are now and what is going on in their life. You can reveal as much information and photo's as you like.

My Rileigh Shea, Happy Birthday !!!

2009-02-27T22:45:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday, Rileigh Shea, Happy Birthday to you ! Your taotao loves you all the way to the moon! You are three today (february 28th), and we will celebrate with a 'doggy cake' and go to 'chucky cheese', as we did with lauren when she was your age. Only Lauren was afraid of 'chucky cheese'.........I love you, your taotao

With A Song In Her Heart

2009-02-27T21:23:00.000-08:00

My phone rang this afternoon, and on the line was my niece, Sindi. She moved back to Oklahoma in September,'08 after several years absence. She is highly educated, has many accomplishments, & was hired with her company within two weeks of her arrival. She has had positive & negative concerns with her employer since she 'signed on', however, today, with the new stimulous package in effect, she now has an opportunity to actualy help people that her job was intended. I think from hearing her positive voice today, she will be very happy in her position. I am happy that she is happy....It's a good day.

Stallman Geneology

2009-02-27T20:51:00.000-08:00

I'm getting new emails often from sissy barbara, showing me what she has done to 'update' her page on the Stallman Family History Page. She has done a wonderful job on her page........I have done nothing. I think she is trying to 'prod' me along......I MUST get busy! She & Marianne are planning this BIG FAMILY REUNION, and, I am looking forward to it. The last big one I remember was 1994. IT WAS HUGE! Vicki told me tonite that she & John, lauren & rileigh are planning a great vacation around the reunion, as I'm sure many other families are. So, I promise to 'get with it' and produce great information & pictures on 'my page'.....I'm just LAZY

The Dash

2009-02-27T19:30:00.000-08:00

I received an email from Sara yesterday..(my daughter's Mother in Law) It is a poem from Linda Ellis titled 'The Dash'....I can't copy & paste it, but everyone should read it. I would like to think that 'my dash' means something to various people. I know in my heart that it does to some.

In retrospect, I have reflected on many dashes in certain people. It is a good thing to ponder.

Procrastination and Patience

2009-02-13T09:17:00.000-08:00

I've always been heavy in the procrastination department, and quite light in the patience area.... but gradually learning my lessons in both. Oh, it's hard to teach old dogs new tricks!

Yesterday was our 'every six week's appointment' @ the VA hospital for gerald, (my ex-husband). I always have a talk with myself on the way to pick him up.......'now just remember, frances, this is going to be whatever it's going to be, it's the VA hospital after all'. 'You won't find a parking spot quickly, radiology won't call gerald's name until at least thirty or forty minutes after his scheduled appointment'....and then there is the possibility his blood work will not 'be up to par', and they may cancel his procedure.....this usually happens after we have been sitting around for at least three hours.......or, an emergency situation could pop up at any given moment, pushing his procedure back another couple of hours. So yesterday his appointment was scheduled @9:30. It is usually @8:00, but gerald moved it up in case we encountered bad weather. So great, this will give me time to run by the DMV & renew my EXPIRED drivers license! I needed to get that taken care of so I could replace my EXPIRED license plate. Both were supposed to be renewed by January 31. The DMV in my area opened at 7AM.......I arrive @ 7:30 (that gives me at least an hour to take care of business). I open the door & see about 80 people sitting & standing in line. Good God, this many people @this time of day? The sign inside the door reads: If you want to re-test....go to the re-test line, If you want a driving test, go to the drive line, all others, take a number. So, I walk past four people in front of me waiting to see the lady @the desk & reach for a number. 'excuse me, you can't take a number, you have to get back in line' says the lady. 'Oh, sorry...I thought the sign said'.......'no ma'am, get back in line'. So I did as I was told, & didn't even get huffy. It's my turn. 'I need your birth certificate & drivers license'. No problem, & she does the paper work & hands me my number...190. I take my seat & look up as a buzzer goes off & see the illuminated sign showing the next number in line: 153! I sit there until 8:10 & the new number flashing is now 161. Never mind, I'll just to come back later this afternoon. The lady takes my number back & tells me to keep my paper work & bring it back with me.

I pick gerald up @9:00 & we head for the hospital, drop him @the door & start my adventure to find a place to park. Had a lucky day, it only took about ten or fifteen minutes of inching my way thru the maze of automobiles to find a spot. We wait our normal thirty, forty minutes to have his blood drawn, go to the second floor to check in. The check in lady announces 'Mr. King is here.....Oh, okay.....sorry, Mr. King, there has been an emergency, it will be a couple of hours before we can get to you, or you can re-schedule'. 'No, I don't want to re-schedule', says gerald. So, okay, we have a couple hours to kill, it's around eleven, we'll run some errands....... I still have not lost my cool. We go by the antique shop and he places all the pocket watches he brought along earlier, we drive over to his bank & take care of business there. We've killed an hour and a half, time to go back to the hospital. They are ready and waiting on him. His surgical procedure takes an hour and a half, so I call my bff, Katy (who works across the street), we meet & spend an hour together 'catching up', laughing hysterically @ ourselves. It's now time to pick up 'woozy gerald', and drop by the super market for his list of items, take him home & visit for awhile. By the time I head for home, it's around 5:30. He thanks me again for taking him to these appointments. It is not a problem, and we always enjoy each other's company, and 'remembering our good times', and discussing current events.

So, I did quite well yesterday, no pissy moments at all. This morning I get up @5:30 so I have plenty of time to get to the DMV early. I arrive shortly after seven, show my paper work from yesterday. I get my number...249...look @the screen & it shows 230 is next in line. How can so many people be in front of me this early? 'Well, ma'am, they start lining up outside by 5:30 every morning'.......'Oh'. At 8:35 my number is called. I have all my documents out & step up to the counter. 'Mrs. King, you are a speeder!' says the Officer as he swivels the computer monitor my direction. 'Yes, I know I am', says I....'you have a full page of citations, in fact, you have a page & a half documented here', he says without even a smile. 'No way!, I know I speed, but I've only received four citations since moving back to Oklahoma in 2004'........'well, it's all here, and it also says your drivers license is suspended'. 'SUSPENDED? You cannot be serious, what on earth for, why didn't I receive notification'? 'I have no idea ma'am, but you're driving on an expired, suspended license, I can't help you....here's the number to the Department of Public Safety...you'll have to clear it up with them'. 'Okay, thanks........but I still don't understand a page & a half of documentation....I did not receive any tickets from 1987 thru 2003'.......'well, ma'am, these records go back to 1974'..........well, that explains that part! So I tuck my tail between my legs & go home. 'Hello, DPS'? 'Yes, how can I help you'? 'This is fran'.....'I need your DL#'...'It's blah, blah & blah blah blah & why is my license suspended'? 'Because you didn't pay a ticket on time, you have been suspended since April, 2008, we sent you a letter'. 'I never received a letter, and I went before the Judge & everything was paid & cleared'! 'No ma'am, everything was not cleared, you need to send us a money order for $50.00 to re-instate your drivers license'. I stayed calm and polite, but thought 'well shit, there's another procrastinating fifty damn dollars! I sent off my money order, so with luck on my side, & Friday the 13th gone, I will be able to re-instate my drivers license & get to the Tag Agency before my thirty day grace period expires on my license plate! Progress report: Procrastination: D Patience: A+

my old friends...are now, really old!

2009-02-09T16:55:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, was the anniversary of the passing of my very good friend Costas Dalacos. He died three years ago and it was heartbreaking news from Lula. He & his wife, Lula were a fantastic couple, full of fun & laughter at all times. I used to love to visit them in Tarpon Springs, Florida. I met Costas in '70 or '71 while he and a couple of his co-workers, Joe & T.J., were FAA residents at Don Quixote, an apartment complex I managed here in OKC. They also followed me through the years to reside @ railhead......as did some of their children, also employed with the FAA. OMG!, what a crazy character Costas was! I think he was loved by everyone he encountered. During his tenure with the FAA, I made a few trips to Florida to spend time with he & Lula. I loved them, I loved their zest for life, their committment to one another, their humor. That humor & laughter filled every room everyday! And, the greek cooking lessons I would receive each visit. Gus would go out on the dock in their backyard, and catch fish. I loved going to PAPPAS' every visit. Tarpon is a wonderful Greek community.

'Gus' retired from the FAA in October, 1985. I was invited to attend his 'retirement party' as a speaker. My speach was only to read a poem I had written for him:

I have loved thee Costas, In my fashion:

I've composed a little ditty,

a poet I am not, it's a pity.

the day I first met thee,

was on tenth street @ Don Quixote

there was you, T.J. & Hampton,

with all those phone wires running rampton.

Remember how you borrowed my wig & dress

to wear to Glen's Hick'ry Inn & you caused such a mess!

and, the day from the Academy place,

when you pulled from your briefcase, a starter's pistol, to everyone's surprise

almost causing your instructor's demise?

And our canoe trips down the Illinios

taking the bus was only half the joy!

You were always our hiliarous 'MC'

introducing the joke 'wathy, wathy', by 'Madam Du Pwee'

and the summer when Lula came out

and the two of you, Joe & I

went to the 'Red Dog Saloon', what a 'bout'.

My trips to your home are always such a pleasure

no better Host & Hostess can I measure

I'll never foget our festive night @ The Sparta when we danced with glee

You even got me a date with Pappas' 'maitr'e d

I could go on and on, but I'm through

Only to remind you once again, that I love you.

speaking of parts...remember, barbara?

2009-02-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

Since I'm on the topic of 'girl parts', and passing information along from generation to generation, I must include this one. When I was a young teenager living with gramma black (morgan) & her new husband, bill in the early '50's, we did not have running water..........well, we did sorta.....we had an indoor pump from our cistern sitting on a counter in the back porch. We took baths once a week in a big galvanized tub, sitting smack dab in the middle of the kitchen floor. We also had a small area with a stand, wash basin, mirror & medicine cabinet.

Gramma Black was one of the most positive persons on earth. She was jolly & happy.........always. Every morning she would sing me awake.......'when the red, red, robin goes bob, bob, bobbin along, along' and, whistle non stop. You know, the kind of high pitched whistle you do between your teeth. As I would groom myself in a wash basin, getting ready for school,( I learned this procedure from my best friend, Rosemary Card) Gramma would always say: 'now francie, remember to wash up as far as possible, then, wash down as far as possible, then WASH POSSIBLE'!

When lauren was around nine or ten, she came down to spend the nite with me. As she was showering, I hollered into the bathroom: 'remember to rinse all the shampoo out of your hair, and oh, be sure and scrub your whole body'. 'Don't worry taotao, I even washed possible'.

taotao....my 'po-po' hurts

2009-02-06T13:37:00.000-08:00

Lauren may get upset with me for this post now that she is a teenager..nah, probably not, she knows me to well,

We have been trying to potty train rileigh shea and she is resisting big time. She kept saying her 'po-po' hurt. Vicki takes her to the doctor and she was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. He prescribed her medication & tells vicki this is not unusual during potty training. In our family, your 'po-po' is your girl parts. I don't know the origination, probably came from my mother in law. I used the word with vicki when she was a baby, and she has used it with all three of her girls.

When lauren was around four yeas old, she walked in on vicki drying off from a shower. She is sitting on the sofa in deep thought with a concerned look on her face. When vicki walks in, lauren says 'mama, why do gills (girls, can't pronounce her R's) have hayeh on their po-po's'? 'Oh, I don't know lauren, they just do. 'When you get older and are a big girl, you will get hair on your legs, and under your arms, and, on your po-po'. 'Well, I don't want any on mine'! 'I know lauren, I didn't want any on mine either when I was little, but that is how God made us'. She sat there for a few minutes, smiled and said 'well, I guess it will be okay, at least it covers up the cwack'!

Thats our positive lauren!

taotao, taotao......taotao

2009-02-06T09:08:00.000-08:00

I hear 'taotao' 'taotao', very loudly everytime rileigh shea enters my home. She will be three on the 28th. She thinks my home is just an extension of hers. Her mother brings her down around 7:30 three mornings a week & slides her in bed beside me. We have our routine, and it is great. I guess just being taotao (my name for grandma) is my identity now....which is fine with me. We have a wonderful bond. She NEEDS me. If a particular recorded TV program she is watching goes to commercial, 'TAOTAO'!, that means she needs me 'to come in here & fast forward through this commercial'. If her juice cup is empty, 'TAOTAO'!, that means she needs me for a refill. If she drops her 'boppy', 'TAOTAO'!, that means she needs me to 'come in here & pick it up for me'........and on & on. Some days are a breeze, and some days totally exhausting. Some days I love the silence! I am amazed at how quickly the past three years have gone by & how much she changes in just a week. How her little three year old mind operates......the new words and antics that appear when I haven't seen her in a few days.

Lauren is going to be fourteen this fall, and sometimes she needs me too. Yesterday morning my phone rings around 7:30.......'taotao'?..........'yes, lauren'.......'dad is not answering the phone, & I forgot my basketball jersey, & if I don't have it, I will have to run the stairs during practice.....will you go get it out of our dryer & bring it to me @the highschool gym'? 'Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes'........

This morning I'm still sawing logs zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. It's 7:30 & the phone rings.....'hello'.........'taotao? 'yes, lauren'....'I'm sorry, but I forgot my jersey again this morning' LAUURRRRENNNNNNN!! 'I know, I'm sorry, but I was running late & almost missed my bus', she says in her most pitifull voice......'where is.......'it's in the dryer' 'okay, I'll be right there'. She needs me too!

Self Imposed Identity Theft

2009-02-04T17:25:00.000-08:00

I wanted to 'post' something today, however, nothing was entering my mind, and declined. Then, as I was just going through a stack of mail, tossing all the junk aside in a trash bag, I pulled some of it back out to tear up. I do have a shredder out in the garage & have never used it, says the 'Queen of Procrastination'. Thoughts of identity theft cross my mind, but, 'nah', tearing this up will be okay. Then I start thinking about 'my identity'.

Back in the days of managing an apartment complex (railhead) with 244 units, housing Federal Aviation Employees attending the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center here in Oklahoma City, I was really making a name for myself. I was a very friendly 'hands on' effective manager. I had been managing FAA properties since 1969, but railhead was the brand new constructed property on the FAA list. We were the #1 choice of students from day one. I watched students come thru training, marry, have children, and saw some of these children come back to OKC for training & stay @railhead.....and they would say to me 'fran, do you remember me?, My family stayed here when I was 10 years old'. And, I always did. I had a great memory back then.....hell, I probabably could have told him his dogs name!...true story. We had an 80% repeat business. We were set up like a long term stay in a hotel, with all furnishings. We even owned & rented cars... We had functions every week, BBQ's, wednesday happy hour, kegs, BYOB, blackjack, tri-monthly 'theme parties' etcetera. I was the Pearl Mesta 'hostess with the mostest'....and it was a blast! It was a fantastic job!

But this fantastic job was taking a toll on me, & I wanted something else.......I knew this life of debauchery had to change, & I looked for 'a way out'. Well, my way out walked through the door to 'check in', March, 1987. He was from Guam. GUAM?, where in the hell is that? Long story short, I packed up and moved to Guam in August, 1988. We connected either in Oklahoma or the Micronesia islands every six weeks between '87 & '88. I was so in love with my native man from the islands. I made the decision to leave railhead & never look back. I studied Japanese with a group @one of the local library's, I went to school to become a certified 'travel agent', and passed both classes successfully. I'm getting prepared for Guam!

This is where the 'lost identity' comes in. When I arrive & we settle into our apartment, I decide not to even look for work because Bob has another school in OKC scheduled for October, and I want to go along. So, I just enjoy being absolutely lazy & become a beach bum.

When we return to Guam the end of November, It's time to 'buckle down' and find a job. OMG! I have not looked for a job in nearly twenty years!...It was a horrible experience! Haole's, (outsiders, especially white americans) are not received well at all..............'I'm a Nobody here.....I don't like it at all' I have all this experience, I have a professional resume, but, NEVER MIND! It was absoutely horrible! I was nothing to these people when I was applying for work, usually discarded after a very short interview. What is wrong?? I would be a valuable employee, for God's sake! I finally got a job as a sales representative for a wholesale distributor selling Longines & Fendi watches to the Duty Free shops & became the manager there before landing my General Manager position with six d enterprises, inc.

It was an eye opener that I never wanted to experience again. By the time I left Guam in 1999, I was 'A big fish in a small pond'. I was a member of Soroptomist International, on the board of The Cancer Society, was on the Board of Directors to at least five Homeowner Association groups, etcetera, etcetera......I had a new identity.

Some Asian Manners Are Blunt!

2009-02-03T17:38:00.000-08:00

I usually have a manicure/pedicure once a month, sometimes it stretches to five weeks. I went in saturday, & it had been longer than five weeks. I only recognized one Vietnamese employee on this day. They were extremely busy, I sign in, & 'pick my polish'..........and wait, and wait. Finally it's my turn. 'You want manicure & pedicure'? 'yes'. 'You pick your polish'? 'yes'. 'Are you new here'?, I ask. 'Yes, I been here two weeks, my name Jolly. 'Jolly'?, 'no, Jolly'...'Oh, Charlie'? 'yes', scrub, scrub, scrub. 'Oh, it been long time since you had pedicure, right'? 'Well, it's been about six weeks', says I. 'Oh, ya, I can tell, your feet very bad......very bad'...issshhh.....scrub, scrub, very bad, he says as he makes a face. I am not offended because I know they are not THAT BAD! I know how some of you Asians are because I lived on Guam amongst you for nearly twelve years. I think the Vietnamese & Koreans are the most aggressive, the Japanese & Chinese, most polite, & the filipinos polite, but forward sometimes. I love the filipinos the most, probably because I understand their culture since I worked with a complete filipino organization for most of my time on Guam. I was the general manager for six d enterprises for several years. I loved my job & the six d family.

Back to manners & forwardness........Mr. del Carmen invited me to his second daughter's wedding. It was held in Manila, in February, early '90's........a grand affair. I was introduced to the infamous vice president Joseph Estrada......he was @Julie's wedding. Mr. del Carmen is a highly respected filipino. I was probably the only (maybe one or two more) Haole's there. It was a five day celebration. Mr del Carmen had a van & driver for some of us with planned outings. One particular morning, the van arrives at our hotel and the driver makes the announcement that we are going to 'Pagsanjan Falls'. What the hell is that? Well, as it turns out, it is one of the locations where 'Apocalypse Now' was filmed in the late 70's. So, off we go on a two hour drive. It is absolutely beautifull. We unload & head for the river. The boatmen are waiting for us........one or two passengers per boat, (they are like a wide flat bottom canoe) Each boat had two boatmen. We are headed for a thrilling four mile boat trip up the rapids to Pagsanjan Falls. I am a lone passenger in my boat. As the boatmen paddle off, they say very loudly....'Oh, you sooooo big!' I thought to myself: you little shitasses are probably only five feet tall & weigh about 95 pounds! They are not built like Americans! And, I was not THAT BIG!

Bye bill, write often, Bye bill..write us..Bye bill.

2009-02-02T06:48:00.000-08:00

Barbara just wrote a blog about her son Bill @: http://itsmethingagain.blogspot.com/. He was mama's favorite grandson, my favorite nephew, & probably vicki's favorite cousin.

He came to Oklahoma City in the early eighties to live with me until he could find work, and start his new life. He had worked with his dad in the oilfields after graduating high school. That lasted a year or so, and he hated it. He wanted to do something in the medical field. He had a very 'happy go lucky' type personalty most of the time, but had his depressing times as well. I remember him being an avid writer of poetry during these times.

After a period of time, with no job in sight, he decided to join the Navy. He met with a recruiter, got all his ducks in a row, and received his papers to report to duty. We have our farewell breakfast & I drop him off at the designated place. We embrace one another.......'Bye bill, stay in touch'.........'I will, bye fran'. I head off to work & within an hour the phone rings. 'can you come & pick me up, there is a problem' he says. 'I'll be right there'. Turns out he was overweight & they could'nt sign him up. A couple of weeks go by and he has dieted his butt off. We have another farewell breakfast.......same song, second verse. 'Bye, bill, remember to write often.....don't worry, I will'. Rrrrrrrrring, rrrrrrrring, 'hello' 'Um, hello fran'? Yesss? 'Can you come back down here, I still did not make weight'. Another couple of weeks go by and the poor guy nearly starves himself! THIS TIME it's gonna be okay. This time Vicki joins us (& if my memory is correct,) Sindi was here too. We take him out for an elaborate dinner. By this time I'm accusing him of just wanting all these farewell meals :-) He had lost enuf weight this time that I knew I would'nt have to make one of those 'come back trips'. 'Bye, bill....stay in touch and write often' Off to Great Lakes Naval Station, Illinois, he went. He became a great Medic, excelled at everything he signed up for. He transferred to Camp Pendleton, California and was there until his Honorable discharge. Bill was homosexual and didn't 'come out to his parents' until the late eighties. He didn't want to disappoint them. Can you even imagine what he went through as a teenager and young man? I cannot. What do parents do who have a child with their blood running through this childs veins, and he is homosexual, and he is scorned, and he doesn't have the rights of your hetrosexual child? You love him unconditionally, that's what you do! That's what Barbara & Edwin did.

Bill passed on to be with God June, 1997. He wrote this poem for me about Vicki & I @ a railhead party in 1987:

I sat there in silence

watching the two of you

mingling amongst the crowd of people

both of you separated

only by the visible distance

enjoying yourselves with others.

living your own individual lifestyles

yet so willing to share both with one another

equally and openly, freely.

jealousy and frustration wracked my soul

as I watched the two of you

join each other in quiet conversation

spending a moment together, alone.

I envy such relationships

parent and child, friends.

talking openly, free of fear or criticism

heeding advice, giving support,

sharing love and concern.

no need for amends or regrets

a love not only begotten by parent and child

but as true friends.

Wanna Blow $$$$$$ & See A Movie?

2009-02-01T15:47:00.000-08:00

Okay, I've had my fill of 'going to the movies' for a while. I love movies, the Bigscreen, & buttered popcorn. Movie passes were at the top of my Christmas list. Lauren obliged me, & I have seen several in the past month with each one getting more disappointing than the previous. Saw 'Australia' twice, and probably should have stopped with that one. Last nite's trip to the Moore Warren theater to see 'Revolutionary Road' was an absolute disaster. Our seatmates walked out, but we watched to the dreary ending. Vicki wanted to see 'Taken', but, noooooooooo, I thought Revolutionary Road was going to be great. Kate Winslet had just won a Golden Globe & a SAG for her performance, after all. Her performance was very good, but everything else sucked bigtime!

As I was starting my day this morning, 'The Way We Were' with Robert Redford & Barbra Streisand was coming on TV, so I recorded it. Now, there is a great movie! I was thinking about the title as it started playing........I used to have a placard hanging in my office @ Railhead that read: I wish I were who I was, when I wanted to be who I am now. And, it was true to me @the time, but no longer......I'm making my way back. (Vicki still makes fun of all the decoupaged sayings I had hanging everywhere). Remember this one? YESTERDAY'S GONE :-) Think I'll make some Orville Redenbacher & watch my great movie.

The Tiburon Lodge.....

2009-01-30T19:02:00.000-08:00

I just sent a 'voice message' to Michael. No response yet. He has been very sick for the past couple of years, & I'm just 'checking in'. I have not talked to him in a couple months & hope he is getting better. He was the owner of Railhead, an apartment complex in OKC. I started pre-leasing in december 1972 & opened the complex in the spring of 1973, and continued to manage it until I moved to Guam, August, 1988.

My life on Guam was conflicting. I made the best of it by working for a wonderful filipino family, the del Carmen's. I stayed on the island until 1999.I managed approximately 400 apartments, condominiums, and commercial property as well. I loved it there, & would probably still reside there if it was not for my grand daughter, Lauren. Vicki, John, Brittany & Lauren arrived for Christmas '98. Vicki, John & Brittany had been there before, but this trip was different. They stayed about three weeks, & when they left, I knew it was 'time to go home'.

So, around the second week of January I call Michael to tell him I am 'ready to come home'. I tell him I need to 'get my ducks in a row', sell my property (five lots in Talofofo), and a condominium in Dededo. 'If you have something for me, I will appreciate it'. 'Okay", he says, let me think about it, see what I can find, and call me back around June. 'Okay, thanks'. About three days later, my phone rings & it is him. 'I have a position for you, but you need to be here in three weeks'.....THREE WEEKS!?! 'I can't be there in three weeks! I have to give notice to Mr. del Carmen, & have too much to do'. 'Where do you want me to work'? 'At the Tiburon Lodge in Tiburon, California' 'Are you shiting me? That is 'not going home', that's California. 'Frances, it is only a three hour flight to Oklahoma.............not twenty three, like Guam'! 'And what is my position' says I....'you will start out as Director of Sales', then move to 'General Manager'........'director of sales, what is that? I had never even heard of it! 'Don't worry, you are a quick learner..........you'll get it'. OMG!, what in the world am I getting myself into? So, I agree, and to this day, I think it was a big mistake. 'mistake' is probably the wrong word here. Because if it weren't for this particular job, I would not have had a newly constructed home sitting here waiting on me mortgage free/
So, I arrive in San Francisco the end of January, 1999. I stayed unti May, 2004, and hated every minute of it. The Lodge @ Tiburon was a very nice hotel, but 'Tiburon was not my cup of tea' .

Long story short, he sold the Lodge & I finally got to come 'HOME'.....and retire. Thanks be to GOD!

Istanbul At Night ! .....see the concierge

2009-01-30T07:42:00.000-08:00

We had heard this announcement repeatedly as the ship was entering the Bosphorus to dock overnite at our port in Istanbul. We were probably on day three or four of our Greek Cruise, and were really not 'that into' going on another group gathering. It was late afternoon & we had pretty much decided to stay on board ship, but the hype for trip was persistant. Oh, what the hell, everybody we had made an acquaintance with was going, so we decide to sign up as well.

The rule is to take your identifying tag from the roster as you disembark. We are close to our destination when I realize neither Vicki nor I had ours. Oh well, we are one big happy family here........no problem. We were'nt the only ones to forget. So we load up in our transport vehicle and set out for our Istanbul by night excursion. And, what an excursion it turned out to be! We unload, shuffle & stand in line what seems forever. Our group must have been the last to arrive, because by the time we were seated waaaaaay back in a corner, (binoculars would have been handy), the bellydancing had already begun. OMG! not another BELLY DANCE! We had seen 'our fair share' since leaving Oklahoma eight or ten days ago. After about thirty minutes of this, and, still no drinks served to our table, I told Vicki I had seen enough & was ready to go back to the ship. She was too, so we bid our table farewell and headed out. As we leave the nightclub & head up the street to find a taxi, we notice several military men standing guard with rifles.......what the heck is this about? hmmmm, this is strange......and, I'm a little concerned. We see a lone taxi parked. We climb in & tell him we want to go to our ship. 'Solonu', please.......he doesn't understand......'solonu, solonu'..(is this the right word)? 'Ship, ship', still nothing, so we get out & run up the street and around the corner. Oh, this is much better, there are several taxi's lined up. We hop in another one....'solonu please'...he smiles & nods. Just as we are about to pull away from the curb, a buddy of his starts hollering something & runs over & climbs in the front seat, and away we go. They're chattering away and now I'm getting really concerned. I look down & notice both back seat doors are minus door handles! We can't escape if it comes to that. My mind is going places I don't want it to go....what can I do to defend us against these characters? I look at Vicki with non verbal communication, but don't want her to know how frightened I have become. I secretly start feeling around in my purse for something to use as a weapon, only to find a few swizzle sticks I had collected along the way. Not very comforting, but they had sharp points & were better than nothing. Then another horrible thought,.........we didn't take our disembarkation tags! They would'nt even know we were missing. What seems forever, we keep winding around narrow streets & I keep asking 'are we there yet'? & they keep talking & laughing with each other. We top a hill & just below sits the harbour & the glorious sight of ships. STOP!, STOP!.....the driver stops, I throw him enough money & they let us out. Thank You, Jesus. We are safe! I learned Vicki had exactly the same thoughts running thru her head as me during our taxi ride. She had also searched her purse for a weapon. The ship was still several blocks away, but we didn't care! The streets were dimly lit, but we didn't care. As we walked along, we could hear foot steps behind us, so we sped up. The foot steps behind us sped up....another fear creeps into my mind. 'Run, Vicki, run'...the foot steps are running........'Mrs King, Mrs. King! We stop & turn around. It was one of the steward's aboard ship. We walk back to the ship together, us telling him our horrifying experience and have a big laugh. As we board ship, it becomes crystal clear why they were promoting 'Istanbul by night'.......the ships Captain was throwing a huge party for another ships Captain docked next to ours. We were invited to join in and had a way better time than those still sitting in an overcrowded nightclub watching one more belly dancer. Can't remember your name right now, Mr. Steward, but will never forget that nite!

Next morning we head out for a wonderful day of historical sight seeing. Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans over two continents, Europe & Asia. We got to have the experience of standing on the suspension bridge connecting these continents. We went inside the Blue Mosque, then to Hagia Sophia, a Christian cathedral, The Hippodome, & the Grand Bazaar which has literally thousands of shops. It was a wondrous, exhilarating, exhausting day. We set sail in the evening, on to Ephesus.

Where did my upper lip go?

2009-01-28T19:35:00.000-08:00

I just came from the bathroom, glanced at myself in the mirror, and was horrified!.......Who is that person looking back at me? She doesn't look like how she is supposed to look! I know she is nearly seventy, but, she still feels like forty...well, maybe fifty, but, my God!, not seventy! Why am I even examining myself?

Maybe it is because I just talked to my friend, bill, on the phone. He was one of my 'old honker's' (one of his terms) in the '80's . He is a wonderful person. I love him still, but I was CRAZY FOR HIM back in the day...... another story. He has had numerous hardships with his health in the past few years, but, he is stubborn, strong, and determined. Has endured way more than most of us. He has been at deaths door several times recently, but I heard more optimism tonite than I have in a long time. I visited him a couple of years ago, and we had a great three or four days together. One of his daughters lives next to him & is an earth angel for him. She & his grandson Tanner are with him daily. He went to the top with the FAA, & retired with travel plans & all the dreams that come with retirement, only to lose his good health within the first six months. He is, and has always been grounded in his roots, and planted On The Highest Hill In Ray County, Missouri,thank you. I think he has a few hundred acres of that good Missouri land. He is a good man. I should have gone across the wide Missouri instead of the Pacific Ocean. Coulda, woulda, shoulda, if.

"I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and democrats, and frothy elequence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri, you have got to show me .

pegge........don't Fandango in PLAKKA

2009-01-28T09:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my dear sister, pegge would have been sixty six. I thought about her all day & had a good trip down memory lane. She was a very happy, determined, hard working gal all her life. I hope she gets a chuckle out of this particular memory. I still LMAO everytime I think about it. It was around 1983 or '84. Vicki & I were going on a 'Greek Cruise'. Our plan was to fly into Athens, spend a few days, then board ship for a seven day cruise to several Greek Islands, Istanbul, & Ephesus. Pegge & Marshall were living in Saudi Arabia at the time & we decided she would join us during our days in Athens.

We had a wonderful time seeing History open up to us. The whole trip was absolutely fantastic! We spent our nites in Plakka (old town). Plakka is filled with shops, restaurants & bars all along very narrow walking streets. It is traditional greek....and do they love to eat, drink, sing & dance! The first nite there we meet a couple of guys wanting to be 'our guides'. After our introduction, we learned one was actually a Southwest pilot, living in Dallas. He was in Athens visiting his mother......spoke fluent english, and his name was Stefanos...bwahahaha. That is another story. They were good guides, and showed us a lot of 'non touristy' places. Now, the 'local greeks' drink Ouzo, a licorice flavored (white lightening), well, really a liqueur. And the locals also have their favorite wine Retsina. Of course, we must try them both!

So, here we go for a nite in Plakka. Around midnite, with our fair share of eating, drinking, singing, drinking, dancing & drinking......it's time to learn how to dance 'Greek Style'.........hollering 'OPA', 'OPA', 'OPA', and yes, even 'breaking the plates'. Well, pegge decided somewhere in the back of her foggy mind that she would share her knowledge of the dance FANDANGO. She had lived on the island of Majorca, off the coast of Spain, a few years and knew all things Spanish.......So, she gets up on stage....or, was it a table?......no, it was the stage...she is wearing this dress with a full skirt, and spiked heels. She starts stomping & clicking away, throwing her head back over her shoulders repeatedly & swishing her skirt everywhere but over her head! Vicki & I screamed and howled, and howled some more. She was hillarious!....and, she was quite pleased with her self and her performance.......and so was the crowd! The End.

Dude........Where's your car?

2009-01-27T10:47:00.000-08:00

Oh, about 3/4 of a mile down the road, partly in the ditch. Just how much of a dumbass can I be? The weathermen have been reporting for days that a big ice storm was headed our way. They even told us exactly when it would arrive........(early yesterday morning). So, around ten I head out to wallyworld to lay in a few needed supplies to get ready for my hunkering down period. No problem, the streets were salted & my trip was un-eventfull. Had a pot of chicken & noodles made. Had a marathon of 'The Actors Studio' recorded, and was set for a couple days of cabin fever.

Around 4:00, I made a fresh pot of coffee & headed for the computer to troll the internet. Lauren & a couple of her friends came over to sled down my steep driveway. They had a blast, came in to thaw out & snacked on my pot of goodies. After they had gone, I'm back to the computer, my coffee, &, oh wait, where are my cigarettes? I still had a couple, but I know I bought a pack at wallyworld this morning! I hunt for fifteen minutes or so, to no avail. God ! Maybe I left them on the counter, hope whoever picked them up is having a guilty conscious! Well. it is 5:45, the five o'clock traffic is still out there, so the streets will still be salty. I grab my wallet & head for the Conoco station. I get about a 1/2 mile down the road & everything turns to shit....I mean solid ice....& there is a hill right in front of me, & a deep drop-off into a creek to my left. I lose all control of my car even tho I am going at a snails pace. The gears and brakes are of no use, and I can't remember what I'm supposed to do in this situation! I had a 'Jesus take the wheel' moment. It's getting dark out, I can't even find the moon! So, I just pray. I am finally able to maneuver away from the big dropoff & creek, find a level 'ditch', and slide the rear end of my car onto the grass. THANK YOU GOD! The only problem now is, the front end of my car is sitting smack dab halfway into the lane of traffic. I'll just have to pray there are no more idiots out there traveling this particular road tonite. I lock the car & start my trek to the house.. In my ZORIES... No scarf, no cap, no cell phone, no closed toe'd shoes.......just zories. The walk home was a breeze....I was amazed........no moon, but I could see just fine, it must have been hiding behind the stormy weather. I didn't even get worn out from the walk. This is a miracle in itself, because the most exercise I get in a day is walking from my bedroom to the kitchen.....

So, now I'm safe & thawed out in my home. Still not satisfied regarding my cigarette purchase, I'm on a serious HUNT. Let me dig thru my walmart sacks for my receipt, to be absolutely positive I did purchase cigarettes! YEAH, I found the sack with the receipt........and, ready for this? my pack of marlboro lights.

I get out the Newcastle phone book, find the Police Station #, tell the Officer my tale of woe. 'Well, ma'am, we can't leave the vehicle there, someone will hit it. I will have to send a wrecker'. Thoughts of the balance in my checking account melting away hit me. 'Oh, will a wrecker come out tonite'? I ask........'yes, ma'am'....'okay then, I will call AAA'. 'Okay ma'am, have a nice nite'....Thank you. 'Hello, AAA, I need a wrecker'...........'what is your account # please' '123456789'.. 'Sorry ma'am, that account expired January 2008' 'You are kidding me, it says 2009 on my card'. 'Yes, we send a new card out with each renewal statement, but you never renewed your policy'...........Well, shit, now what? So, I make that DREADED call to Vicki, dreaded, because now I have to let her know of my stoooooooooopid blunder, and because I know she is going to say 'why in the world did you even leave the house'?

Uh,'hello'........blah, blah, blah, blah..........'Ya, Mother, I saw you pull out of the driveway right behind John....why in the world did you even leave the house'? When do parent/children rolls reverse? It's been going on here for quite a while! We discussed my options: call the police back & have it towed,..expensive, but not as expensive as $500.00 deductable on my insurance, when someone plows into my car!.......okay, I'll have it towed.

'Newcastle Police Department'.....'hi, I just called awhile ago'......'yes, ma'am, I've sent an Officer to assess your situation'.... 'My AAA membership has expired, so, can you send a wrecker'? 'Yes, ma'am, Bo's Wrecker is the next rotation, however, it will be sent to an impound lot'. (more $$$$ going thru my mind) ' Did you leave the keys in the vehicle'? 'If not, you will need to meet the wrecker guy & pay him before he will tow it'. 'OMG!, I'll have to walk back down there', says me. So, the dipatcher says he will see if an Officer can pick me up & take me there & call me back. 'Hello'.......'hello, Mrs. King'? ''yes'...........'well, Bo's can't come out tonite, it's too icy, so I suggest we just pray no one else drives that road tonite & your car does'nt get hit.......amen'

My phone rings @7:05 this morning & it's the police dispatcher telling me someone will be over in a few minutes to pick me up & take me to my car. We arrive at the scene, & there it sits, not a scratch on it. He gets out, starts it up & drives it onto a layer of new snow. I thank him profusely.........but waited until I was alone to cry....and thank God once again, for getting me out of another one of my messes.

Friends......people we know, like, & trust

2009-01-23T20:09:00.000-08:00

This is how 'Websters Dictionary' describes friends.

I just spoke of my friend anthony on the previous post.......I know, like & trust anthony. What about katy, carolina, cleve, kim, glenda, bill, pandora, linda, isaac, lula, and so on......they are all friends. Some closer than others, but, I stay in touch with them all. They are all from the '70's, '80's & a couple from the '90's on Guam. They say, (somebody says) something about 'if you can count all your friends on your hands, you are blessed', or, something like that.........well, I can, and I am blessed. Have you ever had a person in your life that you 'thought' was a friend, and turns out it was all a disguise? I have. I thought for about 25 years that this person was a friend, only to figure out last year it is not so... (well, she has always been a WHINER). But, I thought 'just accept her for what she is'...she is fun & entertaing, so what? It was the '80's, after all. After I retired & returned to Oklahoma, we talked on the phone more frequently. I started noticing most conversations coming from her end would just drag me down. They were usually steming from some negative news she had to share. Recently we had a big disagreement on the phone, (regarding her whining about something) she hung up on me. I emailed an apology............no answer. Next morning I received three forwarded emails from her. I guess all were intended for three other persons. I emailed her back saying she was probably forwarding my email & hit my address by mistake, betraying me. No response. Betrayal. I never saw it coming. But, on a lighter note, she has her dues to pay....just say 1000 Hail Mary's & 1000 Our Fathers......it just may redeem you, lost friend.

It was what is was, Anthony

2009-01-23T19:04:00.000-08:00

Anthony has been a great friend to me since the early '70's. We connect on so many levels....especially thru humor. We contact each other a couple or three times a month just to stay 'connected'. We know almost everything about each other & our families. We gossip, we laugh at ourselves, and just about everything else. The other morning I called him just to 'check in', and we got to reminiscing..........'Remember Howard's (his dad) 60th birthday party @ Railhead'?, he said....we laughed hystercally about how the party played out, about his Dad and his personality. We reminisced about his brother Mark, who was like a son to me, and, died of AIDS while I was living on Guam. At one point during the conversation, he said 'do you really have any regrets'? I said 'well, I don't know, it was what it was'...........'ya', he said, 'it was what it was', and we hung up. I have thought about that conversation many times in th past few days. YES, I DO HAVE MANY REGRETS..............almost the whole decade! I wish I could do the '80's over again! ' Father, 'I have sinned'.........okay, say 1000 Hail Mary's, and 1000 'Our Father's' and go & sin no more'...............Okay, 'thank you Father'.

My memory.........or, not

2009-01-21T21:01:00.000-08:00

What is wong with me and my memory? I'm not talking alzheimers here, I'm just sayin... I don't know if it is 'blocked out', 'blacked out', or 'traumatized'......but, I have a serious problem with remembering certain events, or, remembering even things 'minute'. I just posted a memory (short) about a fella named Rastus. My sister Barbara commented with her memory of him.......(in length)...I do not remember anything of which she speaks. And, so it goes. My daughter, Vicki, can recite verbatim 'all that has happened in her life'.....from 'the first grade'. This may be a slight exaggeration....., but, not far off. I feel like a failure when I don't remember all she remembers. She can 'connect' with events when she was 12, or when she was in the second grade......I can not do it with her, or myself..........so, I'm just wierd!

Are you crazy? They can't come in here........

2009-01-21T07:20:00.000-08:00

I watched History being made all day yesterday thru the inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama. I've seen a lot of history made during my long life, but for me, yesterday was an outstanding day.

I was raised in South Dakota during the 40's & 50's and had only seen one black person in our area while I was growing up. He was a man in his thirties. I don't remember him having a wife or children. Everyone called him 'Rastus', everyone liked him, and that is about all I remember.

After graduating from highschool in 1957, I moved to Seagoville,Texas, a suburb of Dallas. I was living with Jack & Agnes Mc Coy. He was the foreman on the TV tower that had just been constructed on Medicine Butte, outside my home town. The plan was to stay in Seagoville for the summer & then on to Brownsville, Texas to build another tower & I would attend a college there. During that summer I went to work at a Diner close by. On my second day @work, I was in the kitchen & three black men were knocking on the kitchen's screen door. I went to the door to see what they wanted. They were placing an order for some hamburgers........as I am trying to explain where the entrance to the diner is, the cook screams at me 'are you crazy? they can't come in here! I had never experienced segregation. I didn't understand it, didn't think it was fair, and didn't like it..........and, still don't.

I'm A Big Crybaby

2009-01-19T20:40:00.000-08:00

Bill, I know you hear and see me from your place In Heaven. I just know it.

Yesterday morning, (Sunday), I got on my computer and spent almost fourteen hours crusing the www. At one point, I went on 'The Stallman Geneology' site, created by my dear sister, barbara. She is a geneologist. She has spent YEARS digging thru whatever she digs thru......to come up with all this wonderful information. I was going thru her family & clicked on 'Bill", her departed son, & my 'favorite nephew'..........and mama's 'favorite grandson'. Barbara had written a wonderful tribute. As I read her words, I sobbed. I sobbed uncontrollably. I sobbed OUTLOUD, for several minutes. When I finished, I decided sobbing is good for my SOUL. And, it is.

TV AD: $27,999 2008 Charger for $11,999......

2009-01-18T13:01:00.000-08:00

Now, I know that I am a few months short of being seventy years old, ( I spell it out because it looks better than 70) but will I ever get past being so easily duped?

Yesterday was a fun filled day. Lauren had three basketball games & Sindi & I made plans to see the Frost/Nixon movie. During one of the games, I asked Vicki if she had seen the David Stanley Dodge ads on TV? 'No, I haven't'....well, 'they are having a big sale, 60% OFF all trucks & SUV's......and, they have 2008 Chargers @$11.999...can you believe it?' No, she could'nt. 'God, Mother, you should go check that out'........so, the excitement of having a new car starts churning thru my brain. When Sindi arrives, I asked if she wanted to go with me to look & postpone the movie to the 6:30 showing. She was okay with that plan, so, off we go. OMG! what an experience. Of course the dealership parking lot was full, a radio station was there doing their schtick, a table of goodies from the local wal-mart deli, and every finance booth crammed with customers, with a long line waiting their turn to the next available booth.

As we creep thru the lot, a man that I thought was a parking attendant, tells us we can just leave my car in the aisle. Turns out he was our salesman. 'How can I help you ladies today?' 'Well, I came to look at your Chargers for $11,999.' 'Okay, we have three over here' The first one was bright red with tons of hail damage. I don't mean a few pings on the hood.......I mean pings on the sides, top, trunk, everywhere.......the other two didn't have hail damage, but other problems equally as bad, and they were not $11,999...they were $10,000 off. So, they were selling for $22,000 to $28,000. The big deal ad was for a program car that had already been sold. As we were thanking him for his time & making our exit, his supervisor just happened to tell him that they did in fact have 'a couple more program cars in the used car lot that we could get for the advertised price'. Out of curiousity, I wanted to see them. On the long walk to the used car lot, I thought 'what the hell are you doing looking at a big ass muscle car with a HEMI engine, have you completely lost your mind? So, we left and now I've got that out of my system. I'll just keep my old grandma Grand Marqius. We've both got about the same miles on us and are both running just fine. Both need a little fine tuning & adjustments now & then, but, don't we all.

Between car shopping & the 6:30 movie (which was almost as bad as the David Stanley experience), we did have time to go to Chili's and have a Margarita & chips & salsa....so, it was an interesting day. Something totally outside my box.

If you feel like doing some work............

2009-01-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

Sit down and wait.......the feeling does go away. Found this 'thought for the day' in my inbox this morning from my dear sister barbara. I needed a good laugh to get my day started. I have been in a 'funk' since before Christmas, and it has been the shits. I could feel myself climbing out all last week, each day getting better. I haven't hit my peak, but can see the light peeking thru. I've had to do a lot of soul searching & praying, and it is paying off. Having a broken arm is waaay easier than a negative mind. So, since the economy is in a slump, I decided to do my little part and ordered a few new pieces of clothing online...., something WALMART does not sell. I shopped for three hours I got some great bargins. I am one of those that throws 'caution to the wind' when spending my money on someone else, and such a 'tightwad' when it comes to spending on myself. It's not a resolution, but I'm making some changes in that department.....and several other departments. So, okay, I've sat here long enough, I'm looking around this room I'm in, going to the garage for a box & start with cleaning off my bookshelves. Been going to do that for the past three months :) 'What A Difference A Day Makes', sang Dinah Washington, and shouted out by my brother Kelly on his wedding day........but that's another story.

'You must have been raised on a farm'........

2008-12-30T15:52:00.000-08:00

This is what Dr. Cornett said to me yesterday as he was beginning our consultation. On Friday, December 19th, I was walking across my bedroom, minding my own business. I tripped on my zorie & went flying towards my dresser. I tried to stop my fall by bracing my arm against the dresser, sliding across it far enough to knock the mirror to the floor (it was not attached, and did not break). As I lay on the floor moaning & groaning, I decided I was just bruised, crawled along to find a place where I could get myself in an upright position, brushed myself off & went on about my business.

Yesterday was the eleventh day, and my arm was still swollen & hurt when I turned it 'a certain way'. Those that know me very well, know I NEVER GO SEE A DOCTOR unless it is absolutely necessary. So, since I have never had a flu shot, and am heading towards seventy, I decided to kill two birds with the same stone. The good Doctor quizzes me & decides I need an ex-ray. As I exit the ex-ray room, he is smiling & shaking his head...'well Fran, you are tougher than me........your arm is broken.' 'It is??' Then he shows me the ex-rays & says he will put a temporary cast on & as an emergency medical center, he needs to refer me to an Orthopedic Surgeon. I do have a couple of those already, so that's the next step...unless this cast does the job :) As he was preparing my exit papers, he asked if I wanted him to prescribe any pain medication. Before I could say 'no', he shook his head smiling & said 'probably not'......'I'm sure you come from strong German descendants' Boy, he hit that nail on the head!

mama's passing 12/20/2006

2008-12-24T00:16:00.000-08:00

Ashes to ashes

We Stallman girls, Frances, Barbara and Sandy, scattered our mother's ashes Sunday evening, June 29, 2008, from the top of Medicine Butte (in Lyman County, South Dakota) to the prairie below. It was a wonderful evening and tossing them to the wind was very spiritual for all of us. Sister Pegge (died suddenly that January) was with us in spirit.Mom was born just inside the Lower Brule Indian Reservation (about seven or eight miles north of Reliance) at the foot of Medicine Butte on the west side. We went to the top of the butte just at sundown (absolutely beautiful) with a wonderful wind to help scatter the ashes. As they flew away and down into the prairie, there must have been a downward current because the ashes would gradually gather into a beautiful puff and a ray of light would pass through the puff just before they disappeared. That did cause one to marvel at what one was witnessing.Sandy took a few pictures of the hills, prairie and Missouri river (off to the north) and when we were looking at them on the computer later, the first picture was absolutely beautiful with the greens and golds of the prairie with good old South Dakota black dirt here and there, and the sun peeking through. About dead-center of the photo is one lone bird flying westward. Was it our mother in her upward flight? I think, in our hearts we know it was.We then put her marker on our dad's grave in St. Mary’s Cemetery north of Reliance. When Marshall brings Pegge's ashes back to South Dakota, we will add a marker for her as well.
Posted by barbara stallman-speck at 5:07 PM
Labels: Ashes to Ashes

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Christmas is a time of Joy.......

2008-12-23T21:44:00.000-08:00

Christmas IS a time of Joy, in the true sense of Christmas. It is almost Christmas Eve, and, I am not feeling all the Joy. I am feeling somewhat depressed. As I finished wrapping my gifts tonite, I felt like my gifts would disappoint. As my daughter says: 'It's the way YOU perceive things, Mother', and, she is probably right....She is Usually Right...dammit!

Growing up, our Christmas's in the 40's was soooo different of course. They were fantastic. A school play on a 'makeshift' stage. Sheets hanging over a wire to serve as the curtain. Oranges, apples & assorted nuts & popcornballs, all in a paper sack, handed out as we left the building. On Christmas Eve, Midnight Mass. Then home to see what Santa had brung. While Daddy was trying to manuever the car into the garage, Mama would jump out & go into the house 'to see if Santa had arrived' . All of us girls could hardly wait to see what was under the tree...sure enuf, as soon as we walked into the house, there they were..........four dolls under the tree....What a glorious sight! We would usually have oyster stew, and off to bed. That's all we needed to be absolutely the happiest girls south of Reliance. And, that is about how it went year after year. We were happy and greatfull every time.

I think we will all be forced to look at 'the good ole days' in the next few years...........'something terrible happening with our economy' . 2008 is getting worse than 'The Great Depression'. I have a feeling by the time Christmas rolls around next year, everyone will be more appreciative. Frohliche Weihnachten & ein gutes NeuJahr........

Olympic Developement Program (ODP)

2008-12-17T20:38:00.000-08:00

This week Lauren has been accepted into the ODP program. This is a great honor for her. She has been playing Soccer since she was only four. I don't know if her father was her first coach officially, but do know he has been 'coaching' her throughout her tenure. She absolutely knows and understands how the game works. She is a great team player. She is only thirteen & has been in 'competetive' soccer for about four years. Everyone in her family is very proud of her. I think we have another 'Mia Hamm' on our hands..I hope so. It is up to her to develop. She will. So, here's to you, lauren...........we will see you 'At The Olympics'.............taotao

Pee Your Pants Laughter

2008-12-15T19:17:00.000-08:00

Vicki, Lauren & I have periodic spurts of laughter that make us 'pee our pants'........well, Vicki & I do..... We howl and we howl ! Rileigh (not yet 3) gets 'caught up in the moment' as well. She will laugh heartily along with us, throw her head back, bend over & slap her knees, just to join in & be part of our hilarity.

Earlier today, my son in law, John, offered to drive me to an auto shop as I needed to leave my car overnite to have the brakes worked on. I phoned him to say I was going to run to the Dollar General store & be back in a few minutes. Wrong! I did go to Dollar General. I stayed about thirty minutes sorting through cute, cheap items to attach to my Christmas wrappings & picked up the cleaning supplies on the list for the intended trip. I'm checking out. 'That will be $29.38' says the cashier. I swipe my debit card...nothing appears on the screen. 'Do I need to swipe my card again' ? 'Well, maybe, this dern machine has been actin up today'. I swipe the card again & push the debit icon............nothing. She takes her pen & STABS, STABS, STABS the debit icon. 'Hmmmm, it's still actin up, the dern thing.........do you have a check, or cash' ? 'No, I only have my debit card' 'Hmmm, stab, stab.stab,stab....'I guess the dern thing ain't gonna work today' 'OK, then put the dern stuff back on the shelves' says I, as I storm out the door. I told Vicki & Lauren I did a 'donut' in the parking lot as I left rubber all the way to the street. I did'nt really, but wanted to...........so then I had to go to walmart & pay twice the money grrrrrrrrrr. I was late getting home, but have an understanding son in law. :-) I know we are in a recession, but wonder if Dollar General has any cashier openings !

I will sing you to me.........

2008-12-14T19:00:00.000-08:00

I will sing you to me, is from the Aborigine. Sindi, Lauren & I went to see the movie Australia yesterday. It is an absolute 'must see'. Treat yourself by spending two and a half hours completely absorbed in the storyline and cinematography. I was moved to tears throughout; during one scene, a surge of emotion was absolutely uncontrollable. Lauren said it was the best movie she has ever seen. I'm fifty plus years older than her, and it has to be in my top five. Ashley will be here this weekend. We've made plans to get together saturday and bake Christmas goodies. Sindi makes beautiful gingerbread houses, so they are at the top of the list to decorate. Our plans are to leave our kitchen, include Vicki, Brittany & Ashley and head out to see it again. And I will hear you........

Bucky Smith from Kennebec

2008-12-11T22:27:00.000-08:00

When I was only fourteen, (1953) I met a guy from Kennebec. This was a town about twelve miles away from Reliance, where I grew up. He was probably around sixteen, and had a car...... and half Sioux........HALF SIOUX INDIAN! This was surely going to get me in trouble with grandma, but it did'nt. Anyway, it was puppy love, and I'm sure it lasted a whole six months. He was my first boyfriend. That's about all I remember about 'that big romance'..........Forward to Thanksgiving Weekend 2008. My brother in law, Edwin & I were shopping @Al's Oasis in Oacoma. As we are about to back our truck out of the parking spot, this other person arrives to his vehicle parked next to ours, and Edwin hollers 'hey, Bucky,..... I have someone here you may remember'. Bucky peers into the cab of the truck & I tell him he was my first boyfriend eons ago. 'Frances, is that you?'..'....Oh, My God!, I can't believe it is really you...do you remember that we wrote letters?..whatever happened to?.....where do you live?, are you retired?, how many children & grandchildren and on & on......we laughed & carried on for thirty minutes. Going down memory lane was fun, but the truth of this story is..............If Edwin had not been there, we could have brushed shoulders, said excuse me, and gone on our way, never realizing who the other person was. Come to find out, he is a big land owner there in Lyman County...... I keep missin that damn boat.

I love you, pegge

2008-12-09T18:43:00.000-08:00

This last posting regarding 'I love you a bushel & a Peck' brought up another memory. A year ago, come January, my sister, Pegge Smith died. It was a very heart wrenching moment. I remember being at her bedside in a hospital in Nacadoches, Texas. She had suffered a massive heart attack in the parking lot of the hospital. She & her husband, Marshall lived several miles away from this hospital. By the time Barbara & Edwin (my sister & brother in law from south dakota) & I arrived in Texas, she was already on 'life support'. I could not believe 'how she looked'..swollen, non responsive, swaying her head back & forth like she was wanting to communicate, but, really 'nothing there'....so, I just sang to her..................................I love you, a bushel and a peck........................