out of pocket

[John Jones]

Yep, everyone is okay.  Mom is quite healthy for 83.  Just has to watch her blood pressure like any of us with gray hair.

My dad bailed on us when I was about 14.  She busted her butt to raise me and my brother.

[seabob4]

I understand - but there ain't nothing worse than living in a house where two women don't like each other  

I worried about that in the beginning but since my wife quit drinking three years ago they get along fine.  It was actually my wife that first suggested it.

Sounds like the wife, given a few drinks, wasn't hesitant about speaking her mind...right or wrong?

[gran398]

My mom loved my dad. He was never abusive. But never really was around so much there at the house. He worked like a banshee.

Came home at 6...had dinner...straight back to work until 9... (1960's). Came back home...threw back a few Dickels...and quietly went to sleep.

God Bless my daddy. Passed at 61. No retirement. No golden years.

Worked himself to death.

[seabob4]

Scott,
Did he like what he did?  Were the long hours necessary?  Or was it an escape...from whatever?

You put it out there, my friend...

[gran398]

Yep...he loved what he did. It wasn't an escape from my mom..or us...it was the 60's...he was driven.

Will go ahead and tell the story of my dad...guess kinda uncharted territory, even for our family board here... but here goes:

He worked part-time in HS, here in town, for a respected jeweler. Developed an interest in watchmaking.

Upon graduation...was drafted. Korean War. Was not shipped out.. his post was in Philly. Guarding the city, nightly blackouts, etc. A Carolina boy in Philly.

Met my mom there at a USO dance. Fell in love. Moved her back home. Then went to watchmaking school. Opened a repair shop. Later became well known in our state in the jewelry biz.

 He seemed to get smarter as I got older...

Am sure that we can all say the same thing about our dads. And hopefully our kids one day will say the same about us.

[seabob4]

Thank you Scott.  I asked for it, I got it.  My Dad?  Doing as well as can he can be, 81 years old now, loves to work on his computer, but gets pissed off when he has to call me over to TRY to explain some things to him...loves his digital camera...

He's a retired engineer and ex-fighter pilot in the USAF...kind of an Alpha kind of guy...  

[gran398]

Good stuff.

Had my daddy lived to be around now...betcha a new dollar they'd be damn good buds.


Cherish your dad. Be thankful for every day that he's a part of your life.

Mine left way too soon. I still see him in my dreams.

[Circle Hooked]

Scott you've told me that story about your Daddy before but it was great to read it, bless him, and Bob hold onto your Dad tight and love and enjoy him  

[seabob4]

Scott you've told me that story about your Daddy before but it was great to read it, bless him, and Bob hold onto your Dad tight and love and enjoy him  

Thanks Scott, and Scott.  My Mom and Dad and I get along great.  Yeah, I'm the black sheep of the family, but they understand, they know I march to the beat of a little bit different drummer.  My brother is the one who has done things "by the book", so to speak, but I am definitely more fun!!  And I think they enjoy that!

They have a pretty new computer (they're second), I've taught him how to use photobucket, Adobe Reader, OpenOffice (so he doesn't have to buy Office, although they could easily afford it), how to create PDFs, all kinds of fun.  He thinks digital cameras are the best thing since sliced bread (Scott R, pay attention, he's 81!!), and he can still break 80 on the golf course occasionally.  But he has his health issues, so I know he's not going to be around that much longer, I cherish every minute.  My Mom?  She'll live to be 100, guaranty it!  And she's cool, we can talk about pretty much anything.

One thing I do know.  They hate what this world has become.  The corporations, the greed, the distancing of the classes, the shrinking of the middle class...

Oh well, guess I had to throw that out there...

[John Jones]

I understand - but there ain't nothing worse than living in a house where two women don't like each other  

I worried about that in the beginning but since my wife quit drinking three years ago they get along fine.  It was actually my wife that first suggested it.

Sounds like the wife, given a few drinks, wasn't hesitant about speaking her mind...right or wrong?

 
Yeah, and then some.  Usually loud and obnoxious.  ;)