Tokyo, Japan 2007

I just returned from a 2 week vacation in Tokyo. Actually, the trip was to visit my daughter who lives there. She's been there for almost 2 years and in July will be moving to Washington DC, so it was now or never to get over and see her. I had a wonderful time! The subway system is a trip...as much as I wanted to, I didn't venture out and ride it by myself. The thought of getting lost in the Tokyo system brings up visions of blank looks from people when I say...I'm lost! The food was wonderful and no...I didn't have any sushi. No sushi for me!! Shibuya is one of the districts and there is a huge intersection that, when it's green for the pedestrians, it's mass people walking in every direction. You better be out of the intersection when the light changes! We saw beautiful temples and at one, were fortunate enough to see the ending of a traditional Japanese wedding party. They were slowly walking across the temple grounds, with the person holding the red umbrella over the bride and groom and the wedding party processional behind them. Very beautiful. We shopped a lot and one place we shopped was Asakusa, where there is a temple, surrounded by rows and rows of vendors. They sold everything...traditional Japanese items, souveneirs, sweets, leather goods, chocolate covered bananas on a stick (mine was yummy) and many other goodies. And no trip to Tokyo would be complete without a trip to DisneyTokyo. We chose to go to the DisneySea rather than the Disneyland. It was wonderful!

My daughter was worried that I wasn't seeing enough or going to enough places to really see Tokyo. I told her...90% of the reason I'm here is to see you, 10% is to see where you've lived and eaten and walked and shopped. That's the Tokyo I wanted to see and I did. Spending time with my daughter was just what I wanted to do...no matter what we did or where we went. I hope she understood that and realized that thanks to her, my trip was one I will always remember...one of those 'once in a lifetime' trips we always dream of. Thanks Ann...and I love you very much!

Sheryl Crow, Sit Down and Shut Up

Sheryl Crow, you've crossed the line. First of all, I think you're looney, have lost touch with reality and are sadly mistaken if you think you speak for the masses. I've tried to just ignore you and it's been fairly successful. Until today. As I sat here listening to Mark Davis on my local talk radio in Fort Worth, Texas, he related to me your newest grand ideas for greening up America. No one...I repeat NO ONE...is going to tell me to use one square of toilet paper to wipe myself in the bathroom. I know you were being generous when you went on to say that we could use 3 squares for, well, our more messy needs. Maybe you think that's a healthful and sanitary way to take care of business in the bathroom, but you're (sorry to be repetitive) just plain looney. Just who voted you spokesperson for the world??? I'm sick of the whole bunch of people in the entertainment field speaking as though they were experts in every field, putting down those who ARE experts and using their time in the spotlight to spew their personal feelings on any and everything. Yes, we can use the OFF button but there are so many people who, just because they love your music, will believe you actually know what you're talking about.

Another great idea Ms. Crow has come up with is a Dining Sleeve. She thinks that way too many napkins are being used to wipe our faces at the dining table. This Sleeve would be detatchable and washable. At the table, when you're chowing down on some very tasty BBQ ribs, you would just...wipe your mouth on your sleeve. And don't forget, you could probably wipe your nose on it too and be perfectly Green! No thanks again, Ms. Crow. I think I'll just take my cat, Brandy, with me and let her lick my face and fingers for me. I hope you aren't laying awake at night coming up with these rediculous ideas.

I hope that this most recent bit of advice you've so generously shared with us serves to let people know that you really are only a great entertainer and certainly not to be taken seriously in any other arena. I can't wait for your next album...I'm sure we will be graced with song titles like One Sheet Woman, Take A Chance and Hold My Hand and No More Fingertip Kisses For You.

December 31, 2006

Happy New Year! Oh Seven is just around the corner. I can hardly wait to hear all the gunfire from the idiots that live a couple of streets behind me. Maybe I'll get lucky and they will have moved!

Quite a bit has happened since my last entry here. First and most important, my new grandson, Gavin, is wonderful! My son and his wife and Gavin were here the first week of December and that's when we celebrated Christmas. My father was so proud to hold his first great grandchild. He held him for most of the 3 hours we were there the first night. I have to say this being a grandmother thing is terrific. I don't feel any older just because I have a grandchild. Holding him in my arms definately gives me a feeling of great love and pride. Love for my son and pride in what a great father he is. I just wish I lived near them...I'm in Texas and they live in Hawaii...on Kauai. Maybe I should be planning my retirement.

Last December, I left the healthcare field. I just hit a brick wall and experienced burnout. It didn't help that I didn't enjoy the work any more either. I tried my hand in the 'private sector' and found I just wasn't the Executive Administrative Assistant type. We parted in October. In the meantime, I made the decision to make a huge change in my life. (No...not a sex change!!!) I decided to apply for a position in the Foreign Service...a branch of the State Department. I'm waiting to hear from them now and the holidays have definately affected the speed with which they respond! This would mean selling my house, my car, most of my furniture and who knows what else. It would mean training in Washington DC and then an assignment somewhere in the world where there is an embassy. I'm ready for that kind of change and I'm not good at playing the waiting game. Now that the holidays are over, I expect an email...a snailmail...a phone call...ANYthing! Ack...I wish I had more patience...wish me luck!

That's all for now. It's going to be a quiet night at my house tonight. Who knows, maybe I'll be somewhere exotic next New Year's and I'll make up for this one!

It's Me, Yaya...

Yaya. Translated from Greek, it means "Grandmother." That's what I am now...a grandmother. My new grandson will call me Yaya once he starts talking and catching on to the 'everyone and everything has a name' game. I can't wait for the day when I hear him call to me for the first time. I worry, however, that it may take a while. If I'm living away from him, it will be up to my son and his wife to keep the image of Yaya alive for him. Texas is a long way from Kauai and I don't know how often I'll be able to visit. Moving here would be fantastic, if I could find a way to swing it.

So, until then, my first grandson will have to rely on his mommy and daddy to talk about me, how much I love him and that I can't wait to see him again.

Getting on the airplane in 9 days to return to Texas is going to be very hard.

It's A Boy!!

Gavin Kauwela Galchutt
June 21, 2006
6:36 AM
9 lb. 2 oz
22" long

My first grandson and a joy to his new Mommy and Daddy (my son) and huge family in Hawaii. Being born on the first day of summer and to honor his large extended Hawaiian family, he was given a Hawaiian middle name. Kauwela means summer solstice, or the first day of summer. He has a wonderful life ahead of him with so many who are already so in love with him. I leave tomorrow (6/26/06) to fly to Kauai to spend 2 weeks holding, loving and getting to know my #1 Grandson. If I could only make time stand still for the next 2 weeks....

You're Welcome, dammit!

Did I miss the memo?? Can someone tell me when I was supposed to stop saying "You're welcome" and begin saying "No problem?" If I thank someone for something, it sure isn't because they caused me a problem. Saying "Thank you" is a way of expressing gratitude for something someone did for you. Responding that it was not a problem is NOT appropriate!! I doubt I would be thanking someone for a problem!! Could we all try to get back to saying "You're welcome" and stop this stupid "no problem" response?? Thankyouverymuch. (no one better be saying noooo problem!)

For Once, Just a Few Words

"America....Land of the Free, Home of the Brave." You know, there's a version I like better...

"America....Land of the Free, Because of the Brave."

God Bless our troops.