Category: Stella Cabeca Page 5 of 7

The Stella Cabeca Story Then and Now part 14

On July 20, 2016

In Dance, line dance, line dancing, Stella Cabeca, Uncategorized

part 14

We got married on Valentine’s Day February 14, 1981 on Miami Beach at a small bar in a hotel owned by a friend. It was all decorated with hearts and flowers. The wedding ceremony was right there on the dance floor in the bar. A friend and co-worker of George’s who was a minister performed the ceremony and George’s son George junior was our best man.

We left the next day for Philadelphia where we spent 2 weeks meeting George’s family in Doylestown, Rhode Island and New Bedford. We went to Valley Forge and New York. I was made very welcome even though they were shocked to suddenly meet me the NEW WIFE.

When they did not even know George was divorced. His family wonderful people mostly Portuguese people who seemed to be so glad to see as they said George so happy for the first time in many years. I got to meet his brothers and their family. I was made to feel like I was welcome to his family even though I know they perhaps had their doubts about the marriage being able to succeed.

The Stella Cabeca Story Then and Now part 13

By admin

On July 18, 2016

In Dance, line dance, line dancing, Stella Cabeca, Uncategorized

part 13

I had the best date ever with George, I talked a lot, he listened a lot, we ate I drank a lot. George did not drink never drank in his life but he sure got me many doubles. I felt well taken care of, like I had a made a great friend, but not in a romantic way. We went out almost every day after that, he would drive me everywhere back and forth to work and spend many nights sitting with me in the bars on Miami Beach at night after we closed the restaurant.

Even though George did not drink or smoke and I did both, he seemed happy just to be with me. I did not feel this was a serious relationship at that point. I started to date other guy’s and tried to push George away. I did not see a future with him at that time, even though he was in love with me. Just the age difference, the end of his 28 year marriage, the 6 children and grandchildren oh and did I tell you his oldest daughter and I are the same age.

Nevertheless, I had grown to care for him but was dating other guy’s and trying to make a life for myself. George had helped me move out of my friend’s house and get my own apartment before I had stopped seeing him. He had driven me to and from work and just really helped me so much as I had nothing and no one and was so lost.

The Stella Cabeca Story Then and Now Part 12

By admin

On July 15, 2016

In Dance, line dance, line dancing, Stella Cabeca, Uncategorized

part 12

I cannot go in to too many details of the next couple of months on the grounds that it may incriminate me and others who went out on a limb to help me stay here and work and make money to survive. But I can tell you I did get a job that was created especially for me as a hostess at the International House of Pancakes aka (I.H.O.P.) on Miami Beach.

There had never been a hostess before, but at that time Freddie Laker was flying the Brit’s in by the thousands for such a low price that every day working folks who had never traveled outside of Great Britain before were taking advantage of this deal. Coming here on package deal which brought them to the hotels such as the Carillon and included a bus trip 2 days Disney world. Most of them stayed in the hotel and walked across the street to our restaurant every night for dinner, went to Disney on the bus got severe sun burn and heat sickness and returned home, with the blisters and story to tell of their trip to the United States Of America.

The line outside our I.H.O.P. every night went down the street, I used to go up and down the line with glasses of cold water for everyone and sing and dance and have fun with my fellow countrymen as they waited in line or in the Queue, as we say. They were happy and appreciated me as someone from back home, able to make them feel welcome. Some of them actually lived one street away from my sisters and knew them .Anyway I made very little money and no tips, but I got free food and was eventually made night manager closing the place at night and partying in the bars across the street till morning.

The Stella Cabeca Story Then and Now part 11

By admin

On July 14, 2016

In Dance, line dance, line dancing, Stella Cabeca, Uncategorized

part 11

I went in a hotel bar on Indian Creek Drive asking for work anything to make some money. When I met the pool and maintenance guy and told him my situation he offered to help me. I could stay in a cabana and put out the sun beds at the pool. I was also to give out and launder the towels. He would feed me and hide me and keep me there till I got money from home.

I had to get out of that apartment with those guys. I went by my gut instincts about this guy. So I let him come and get me and my stuff out of there that day. I move in to the cabana. He made a bed up with clean sheets, brought me a big meal and showed me the ropes of what I would be doing in the morning. He said good night and left.

I walked outside and sat at the water’s edge, the moon was huge and so bright against the black sky. The breeze rustled through the palm trees, I thought this was the most beautiful place on earth. I think it was in that moment that I fell in love with this place and could not imagine going back to England. That feeling did change when in the night I had my first experience with the dreaded palmetto bugs. I saw something crawling across the floor and I was in shock. I had never seen a bug so huge, so horrifying and then as I threw my shoe at it I could not believe my eyes as it started to FLY I mean it was Flying are you kidding me that is like the worst thing you can imagine in your worst nightmare .I know they say everything is bigger and better in America but this is ridiculous, get me on the first plane out of here I did not think I could live in Florida with these creatures.

The Stella Cabeca Story Then and Now part 10

By admin

On July 13, 2016

In Dance, line dance, line dancing, Stella Cabeca, Uncategorized

part 10

I arrived on Miami Beach at the address on Harding Avenue at around 9 PM. I knocked on the door but no one was there, what could I do? I did not know anyone or anywhere else to go. So I had the taxi take me to the Carrolton Hotel, which I knew was close by and wait in the lobby where I would be safe, till I could decide what to do.

I was exhausted and scared as I walked in through the hotel entrance but tried to look and act like a tourist who was waiting for someone before booking in. I sat in the lobby for what seemed like an eternity, probably about an hour, with only about $30.00 left in my pocket. I started to walk from the hotel back to the apartment. I knocked on the door still no answer I banged very hard as I became more desperate by the second and suddenly a light came on and the door opened.

He was friendly and welcoming and said he worked shifts as a waiter. He had just got home and gone to bed. He knew I was coming but no idea when I would arrive. I apologized for disturbing him. The flat was sparsely furnished he and roommate worked split shifts sharing apartment. He threw me a pillow and blanket said I could sleep on couch no problem. I lay on the couch fully clothed and stared at the ceiling all night. In the morning the guys showered dressed and got read for their waiter jobs. I was told to make myself at home, they were not home much. They ate at work and often worked nights and split shifts so just I come and go as I please.