Supporting Martha Stewart

Supporting Martha Stewart
February 1, 2004

I just dropped a ton of money on Martha Stewart stuff (she may need it to pay her defense attorney) at KMart for my bathroom(s) remodel...a stylish oval light green trash can, a "cloth" white shower curtain with pretty little green palm trees and a liner to go underneath it.  That's the way Martha said to do it and I am a loyal American woman consumer!

Let's see....oh, and I got the Martha Stewart valances for the windows in the downstairs bath, in a pretty green stripe and contrasting flower print. The fellas on Queer Eye would certainly be proud!

And...I am sooo excited about the new look, that I actually mopped the new tile tonight with the nifty new Clorox wet mop thingy that I also bought!

I just couldn't resist! Totally convienient, I tell you! Mop and throw away that dirty little cloth!

Voila! You're finished!

Even the kid thought it was a pretty exciting invention and I encouraged her to r-e-a-l-l-y get aquainted with it, since she's going to be spending some up-close and personal time with it in the near future.

And....that's a very good thing!

Goodbye Captain-Part II

Every day I helped wake up Grandfather Clock who was very old and sleeping soundly most of the time. I knew I was successful when I saw his eyes begin to flutter. Without success though, I tried to warn Captain of the impending rain of ping-pong balls brought on by that silly jokester, Mr. Moose! And....no matter how I tried to help Captain hold on to that fresh bunch of carrots, Bunnnneeeeeey Rabbit always managed to run off with them.

It was the Captain who inspired my love of reading and who read me the childhood classices that I read to my own four children....Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel, The Litle Engine that Could (I think I can, I think I can!), the Little Red Hen (my all time favorite) and so many others that taught me their moral with a story!

As a "city kid" I got to see and learn about a variety of animals from Mr. Green Jeans. Things that I wouldn't normally encounter in Long Beach, California.

It was a magical time, full of wonder, amazement and fun and I pity anyone who wasn't able to experience the simple joys that the Captain and his crew brought me each day.

I just celebrated my 50th birthday and I cherish the memories of those simple, carefree, fun-filled days of climbing trees and telling secrets with my best friend Cindi, crayons and coloring books, games of Hide and Seek and Red Rover, Barbies and Chatty Cathy dolls and last but not least, Captain Kangaroo and his friends....I will miss you Captain!

Rest in Peace and say hello to Mr. Green Jeans for me!

Goodbye Captain

Goodbye Captain
January 23, 2004

Childhood memories of carefree times and sweet innocence flooded my mind this afternoon when I saw the awful news....Captain Kangaroo, Dead at age 76! Nooooo, it can't be, not my beloved Captain with the Dutch Boy haircut and his red jacket with the huge pockets! Gone?

There I was in 1955, the happy big sister to newborn Kim, when the Captain first appeared in our modest living room on our black and white television. I am certain I watched him right from the beginning, after all, my mom was just a kid herself back then and she probably sat right there with me. If she introduced me to Rock and Roll, why not the Captain and Mr. Green Jeans!

I am sure that she also appreciated the Captain's ability to keep her toddler entranced for a short period of time, so she could take care of our newborn Kim, the beautiful baby with skin that looked like peaches and cream.

Fast forward to my earliest memories....There I am, probably about 5 years old, with "dishwater dirty blond hair" as my momma called it. My hap-hazardly cut bangs rested at an angle about 3 inches up from the tops of my eyebrows! Obviously they resulted from my inability to sit still while mom had scissors in her hand. I am sitting "Indian" style; cross-legged on our slick and shiny hardwood floor, in a crisply starched dress probably obtained from the Sears and Roebuck catalog order department. I am proudly wearing my day-of-the-week embrodiered panties with my scuffed saddle shoes.....elbows resting on my knees, and my tiny hands propping up my chin, while I stared at that boxy television with fixed green eyes......Captain, Mr. Green Jeans, Bunnnnneeeeey Rabbit and his carrots, Mr. Moose, Dancing Bear and my favorite; Grandfather Clock.

They were MY friends, each Monday through Friday and I watched without fail. It never occurred to me that they weren't there for my education and entertainment or talking to me directly.

Continued in next entry.............

The Final Entry-This One's for the Girls

We then got to talking about foods that we can't or won't eat. I told them how my mother made me eat liver when I was a kid and how I spared my children the same misery by deciding that when I was an adult there would NEVER be liver in MY home. Kind of like what President George Bush used to say...."I don't like Broccoli, and I am not going to eat broccoli. I am the President of the United States and I don't have to eat broccoli if I don't want to!"  My kind of President!

I'm thinkin' all four of my kids should be thanking me for not making them eat liver, because if that isn't the sign of a thoughtful mother, I don't know what is!

Liver was the topic of conversation for quite awhile. Edris told a story of making liver soup for her family years ago. Is there even a recipe for such a thing, which has to be the grossest type of soup that I have ever heard of!  Yes, there was and she said it was the most awful stuff she ever ate.

I think she now regrets feeding it to her family because her son was so traumatized by it that he wrote a college essay all about it! He's probably going to include it in the family memoirs too! Now, not to beat up on her cooking, because I want you to know that I have eaten lots of Edris' cooking and she's really an outstanding cook. She has a reputation for the BEST FRIED BOLOGNA sandwiches in town, although personally, I have never been too fond of bologna.

Besides, that liver soup was probably waaaay before I met her. But, if invited, I would have had to decline lunch that day, just because I HATE liver. The thought of it in a soup makes me shudder.

If I recall, Edris said she didn't make any more liver for her family after that lovely dinner.

Kathy said she rather likes the smell of it cooking, with onions. But, I can't recall if she said she'd actually eaten it as an adult. I think Mary commented that she likes it if it's cooked right.

YUK....! Come to think of it, that mystery filling in the pot sticker thingys may be liver......I am going to have to ask just to be on the safe side.

Anyway, we had the best time and it was truly the greatest fun I have had in a long time.

My thanks to the girls for a memorable evening...(and for something to write in my journal for future generations) and next time, dinner's on me!

This One's for the Girls-Part IV

Continued from previous entry...............

The baby's mother thinks the father should be there to see his son more often, but he's attending school and she isn't right now. I imagine that would make it seem like he's not spending enough time with the baby. But, he's only 16!

Anyway, Kathy said that she was standing at the nursery window admiring her grandson, when another lady started up a conversation with her saying...."How premature was your grandson?" Kathy, always the witty one replied..."About 5 years!" We about fell out of our chairs! It was so true and reality is much funnier than comedy shows!

I don't know how we got on the subject of real estate, but we all talked about how the property has skyrocketed in our little town and how there's no sense in trying to "buy up" right now. I told them I'd just stay put in my house and remodel it, starting with Ab's room. I explained that she's such a little slob, that I have plans to create a "less is more" type of room for her. Were beginning to remodel her room right now! New flooring, paint and furniture. All indestructable.

This time she's getting a loft bed, so she can't hide things underneath it. That is because of her tendency to hide small animals and bowls of strange chemical concoctions under her bed. I am surprised that she hasn't asphyxiated us with the stuff she mixes. But, that was probably what killed that poor frog that I found petrified under her bed that time!

Gosh, I hope she grows up to be a chemist or a doctor and can find the cure for baldness or the common cold!

So, back to real estate...Mary and I talked about rentals and how we were so smart to hang on to property in Los Angeles and have it appreciate considerably in the past 20 years.

I told her that I just sold my LA property because I was afraid that we were in for a big earthquake and that the house, built in 1926, would certainly crumble if that part of California didn't fall off into the ocean first. Either way it was a gonner, and I felt that it was the prudent time to let it go. 

I keep the new owners in my prayers!

So, now we all know now that Mary is going to be an extremely wealthy retiree when she sells her place, which isn't quite as close to the ocean as the property I sold. Good thinking Mary!

dang it...it's gonna take up one more entry box...sorry

This One's for the Girls-Part III

Continued from previous entry..........

We talked about my recent birthday party and how much fun it was. I told them I couldn't have asked for a better party!

We all agreed that the attendance was amazing! We had nearly a hundred people show up, which really surprised me! Although, I had to admit that for several days I was getting worried that no one was going to come, because people just don't RSVP as requested anymore. Then we'd received several last minute calls from people who couldn't make it and some cancellations from those who absolutely intended on attending but got sick or had a conflicting issue. So, I told the girls how I began feeling totally sorry for myself thinking NO ONE would show up at my party. And on the afternoon before the party was to start, I sat down and wrote a journal entry titled...What IF They Gave You a Birthday Party and Nobody Came?" I was working my poor fingers to the bone typing that one and it was so unnecessary!

Edris was the only one of the girls who didn't make it to the party that night, so at our dinner we told her all about it. Kathy, Mary and I decided.....based on the turn out and amount of fun that people had.....that the party was absolutely the "social event of the season" for our little town.

Oh, those poor folks who went to our annual Christmas Party for work instead! Just think what they missed!

Then I had to tell Edris the story of Joel running away, since she hadn't heard and that took quite a bit of time. Not much to laugh about with that one.

After that, I told the girls that we'd talked enough about me and my family and it was their turn to update me on their lives and work.

Kathy told us about her beautiful, brand new grandbaby boy, named Matthew. (Kathy's 16 year old son is the father) Matthew made his grand entrance into the world on her birthday, December 31st, but 3 months premature.

She explained that the doctors didn't know why he was born so early, but he's doing well in his little 2 pound plus body! He'll be hospitalized for quite a while, probably 3 months or so. Kathy says she goes to see the baby as often as she can but the hospital's 45 miles away and her son's in high school.

Continued in next entry...keep readin', it gets better.......
 

This One's for the Girls-Part II

continued from previous entry................

WE girls really love each other and enjoy each other's company! I guess if we did this more often, it wouldn't be nearly as fun. This is more like...absence makes the heart grow fonder.

The girls get together each month and have a nice Japanese dinner and this was the first time I joined them. I had been in the Japanese restaurant with my family last month when they were there and I had to go say hello and find out what they were eating. Since I am not to adventurous with that stuff, I like to look at what others are eating and get their opinions.

That night they were having combination plates with a little of everything, including some things that I did not recognize. I guess that will happen when you order Teriyaki Chicken every time!

So, after they explained what they were eating, I decided next time I went to the Japanese restaurant, I'd eat like a big girl and try something new! This was my chance!

After looking over the menu we all decided on our meals. There were 3 of us who ordered the combination dinners which included Tempura Shrimp and Veggies, Teriyaki Chicken and and California Rolls. Edris got some kind of breaded fish, salmon, I think.

Now, I have tried California Rolls in the past, and even chewed up the caviar. I'm sorry.....but the sound and texture of fish eggs popping in my mouth does not thrill me, so I asked if I could have them without the caviar. In fact, Kathy and I both decided we'd do much better without those little pink fish eggs, so they made ours special.

Edris got an order of Goyi...something or other, which is kinda like pot-stickers, with a spicy barbque sauce drizzled over it. I have had them before and love 'em, but I would almost feel better if I knew what's in that mystery filling! So, despite the fact that they tasted heavenly, I only ate one. One's the limit until I can find out what I am actually eatin'!

We talked non-stop through the meal. We all had so much food there it was amazing that we ever got through it for all the talking, but we did. First I had to update them on my dad's recent operation and complications, and all his other ailments. An "organ recital" is what Grandma Dot would call it! Get it?

continued in next entry..................

This One's for the Girls

This One's for the Girls!
January 9, 2004

Since I've been off work for several weeks taking care of Papa, "The Girls" called me and invited me to dinner at the Japanese restaurant, the other night. It was "our treat" they said! "Sure", I said I'd go, since I don't get invitations like that very often!

It's my nature to pick up the check when I dine out with friends, usually because I have done the inviting, and since I have a great paying job, I like to share the wealth. But this time the girls made it clear the meal was on them! I felt very indulged! Kinda like an extra birthday or Christmas gift!

I met Kathy, Edris and Mary at the restaurant about 10 minutes after 5. I was supposed to be there at 5:00, but true to form I was late! We laughed about that right away, because they know me pretty well. Even when I am off work I am late! I think I had a pretty good reason this time, which escapes me right now but....I have decided this is the year that I will do better at being prompt.

Lately, for the most part, I have been at least ten to fifteen minutes early to all Papa's appointments. So, there's a start. Always room for improvement!

So, the girls and I greeted each other with a hug. Mind you, this was not just a perfunctory type of hug. You know the kind...a half-hearted, lean-in where you pat the person on the back, acting like you are seriously glad to see them.

Nope, this was a genuine, wrap your arms around each other, like what they call "Bear Hugs" and pull tight and squeeze.

Then top it off with a few sincere pats and circular rubs on the back while you tell the person how glad you are to see them. REAL, HOLY, LOVING HUGS!

continued next entry..................

How I Became an Indian-Part III

The court clerk took her time and carefully reviewed every page, with her stamp in hand. I held my breath, hoping that I had created a flawless petition. She then asked, "Did you do this yourself?" I hesitated and said that I did.  "This is very good! Very good!" she said.  I waited to hear her say that there was a problem, but she didn't!

She began stamping it with a case number and commented again. "You know" she said, "you did a great job on that, but you really didn't need to go to all that trouble!"

I looked at her curiously and asked what she meant. She then said, "You could have just written the judge a letter and he'd have granted your request!"  Now you tell me!  All this work and I could have just written a simple letter?

The clerk told me it would take several weeks for the judge to review my petition and approve it, then she would call me when it was finished. She said that once the judge approved it, I would have to have the "court order" prepared for the judge's signature.

Court Order? I did good just pulling that petition together! How does one do a court order? At that point I decided it was time to hire a lawyer but settled for a paralegal.

A few weeks later, the court clerk telephoned to say the judge had granted my petition and was awaiting the court order. I let the lawyer handle it from there. In a few short weeks I had my "court ordered" original birth certificate in hand!

I was somebody! Officially me!

I sent off my papers to the tribal headquarters and waited patiently. In November 1992, I received my blood quantum and tribal membership cards from the Cherokee Nation, signed by Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller, herself!

Because of this experience, I am much more appreciative of the fees lawyers demand! I learned a lot about the legal system and researching in law libraries.

But, please don't ask me to help you get your birth certificate, unless your situation falls under the Indian Child Welfare Act.

In that case, I'd be glad to write you a quick letter to the judge!

Better yet......pay the lawyer!

How I Became an Indian-Part II

How I Became an Indian-Continued.............

My adoption proved to be a problem since my original birth records were "sealed." I had no way to prove who I was, and that I was my father's daughter. I needed my original birth certificate to become a tribal member.  It didn't matter that I was adopted in a stepparent situation, the records were sealed as if I had been adopted through an agency. But, I found the loophole; the Indian Child Welfare Act. This Federal law allows for Indian adoptees to have access to their original birth records in order to prove their Indian heritage.

I went to the Law Library at the Superior Court and found the specific language. I asked for help from my redheaded half brother, a non-Indian, who was excellent at legal matters. Together, we typed a document that would have made a para-legal proud! We used official legal paper and type it on a word processor. I "cited" my case law, attached notarized statements from my birthparents who voiced no objection to opening my records and my adoptive father's death certificate. My "petition" package was complete, and I was sure that I saved hundreds of dollars, by doing the work myself. I even knew the proper legal term; "pro-per."

In my research, I found that I could file my petition in the county in which my adoption took place, or the county in which I resided. I selected the county in which I resided rather than the county in which I was born, and made my way to the Superior court. I proudly walked into the court, with my documents in hand. At the clerk's window, I explained that I was there to "file my case."

continued in next entry..............