CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

I was just sitting here thinking and a few childhood memories popped up in my head. I Think my sister Roberta will remember these. The first was very fond memories of going to the beach in Dam Neck, VA. Playing in the sand, well Roberta playing and me trying to dig myself out from where she buried me. Also on this beach, I remember little snack shacks. I believe this beach might have been on a naval base but not sure. A song pops up in my head every time I think of the beach at Dam Neck and that song is "The wayward wind" by Gogi Grant. It must have been popular during the time we were going to this beach. The second thought I had was of my Mom, Roberta and myself sitting in our Detroiter Mobile Home, riding out Hurricane Donna in 1959 or 1960. I remember the trailer right beside us being turned over on its side. The row of phone booths across the street from our trailer as very few people had phones back then. The phone I remember being very generous and giving back all the money people would feed them making long distance calls. Roberta and I would put the money in a glass jar and buried it behind the trailer next to the tree that had to be cut down after the hurricane as it was leaning and almost fell on our trailer. Then Roberta and I going to the playground to slide on the slide.
At that age, this slide seemed 15 to 20 feet high. poles anchoring the slide in cement. We used to slide down these poles. I also remember falling off the top of this slide on my head. I couldn't breath for what seemed like 10 minutes. Roberta to this day says that is what is wrong with me and I tell her she pushed me. Lastly I remember going to the Drive-Inn Theater. Dad would pack a cooler with drinks and hide it in the trunk and Mom would pop  popcorn the old fashion way (pan and oil) sliding the pan back and forth over the stove. She would do this many times until she had filled up a whole paper bag. She would put on the salt and then add melted butter. The snack bar was to expensive. I guess this is more for Roberta and I and the rest of you might find it boring, but it was such a good and carefree time in the lives of two children in a Military family. P.S. Can't leave out Roberta's first crush "Larry Thurston Henry" Now that's a blast from the past. I hope this has brought back some good memories for you to sis. Love you.

Harold

TO BLOG OR NOT TO BLOG

That is the question. Here I am trying to figure out this new system and the harder I try the more confused I get. I don't know  heads from tails. I think it would be easier to just talk on FB or by email. I can't figure out how to follow anyone. Now it says something like subscribe and when you click on that it says add URL. So confusing. I am lost when it comes to URL's and links. Don't quite understand them. If anyone out there can explain these things to me, I would appreciate the help.

BACK FROM LENGTHY TIME OFF

     Wow, it has been a long time since I have been on my blog.  We get so caught up in our everyday lives and just too busy to do anything, so it seems. I have no excuses really, just got tired and running out of things to say. I can't believe I just said that. Well anyway, I am at work, on my computer and run across this blog and say to myself out of sight out of mind. I am determined to get this thing started again and my goal is to get as many family and friends on here as possible. Life is to short (and in my case) getting shorter everyday. I called my eldest sister Bobbi (Roberta as I call her) to talk to her about her blog, and guess what. She doesn't remember starting a blog. That got us talking, and in our conversation, we realized that many of our family we will probably never see again in our lifetime. So this is going to be the start of my attempt to get as many family members on this blog as possible. It wouldn't take but a few minutes each day to keep the family updated. Even if it was just a quick "I survived another day" or something of that nature. I love to type and have been doing it for 43 years now.  It clears my mind and soothes my soul. I hope I can get my family interested in this. It is more personal than facebook. I will begin contacting everyone I can by email to see if I can spark some interest in this. Until later, I wish all my family and friends a beautiful Sunday evening.campndude@gmail.com

LIFE'S TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

It has been a long time since I have been here to my blog, but have had nothing to really say. I have not worked since the middle of December, having failed my physical. I don't know if I will be able to get my blood sugar under control enough to go back on the road. I really don't want to go back on the road. I would much rather find something I can do and stay in the area. Jobs just aren't there right now. It is very frustrating. I have been denied short term disability and can not file for unemployment as I was placed on family medical leave and not fired by my company. I am in limbo right now and under extreme stress. I believe this stress is a big reason I am having trouble getting my blood sugar levels back down to the normal range. I must keep this in mind and do the best I can to reduce the stress. Easier said than done.

To my family and friends, I love you all and thanks for the support and advice that you have given me. Until next time. Take care and God Bless you all.

THE AWAKENING

December 29th 2009, a day that will have a lasting affect on mine and my families lives. After nearly 11 years of having type II diabetes, my cheating the system finally caught up to me. I find myself temporarily out of work because of my bad habits. Now I find myself wondering what I will do to support my family for the next few months while I get things back in order. What a fool I was to believe that everything would work itself out by itself. Now my family has to pay the price for my ignorance. I apologize to my loved ones for my stupidity. I know that doesn't pay the bills, but at least you know I recognize my mistakes (as late as it may be). I will defeat this and become a better man, husband and father because of this.

My early New Years resolution is to lose 80 pounds and get down to 170 lbs and maintain that for the rest of my life, enabling me to get off all my diabetic medications for good and live a normal life by starting a new way of life effective today. A life of proper eating combined with exercise such as long walks with the dogs. I can and will do this for my wife my children my grandchildren but most importantly ME. GOD willing, I will be here to watch my Grandchildren graduate.

So in closing, this turn in my life may end up being the best thing that has ever happened to me. As we have been taught. GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS, and things happen for a reason. I wish the best of New Years to all Mankind.

THOUGHTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST

I am sitting here at home thinking about Christmas and how it will be with none of my children or grandchildren here. I could sit here feeling sorry for myself but instead I like to think about all I have to be thankful for. I was thinking back when I was a child and how I didn't have a care in the world. My Mom and Dad did all the worrying. I now know how they felt when all there children left home. I miss my parents and hope they know that I think of them always and especially on holidays as they bring back such fantastic memories.

We will be having Christmas Dinner with friends as we have done in the past. Rick and Barbara are like family and we love spending time with them. So as you can see, Debbie and I will not be alone on christmas. My Christmas present will be having the opportunity to talk to my kids and grandkids. Skype and ooVoo are the next best thing to being there.

I want to take this time to wish all mankind a very Merry Christmas and A happy New Year. To hell with the morons who want to change our lives as we know them. They will never succeed as long as we hold strong to our values and beliefs. God Bless us all and to all a good night.

AS TIME PASSES

Well it has been about a month and a half since I had to have Kipper put down. It is still hard to think about and I still find myself having dreams of having him put to sleep. It is getting a little easier these past few weeks but I miss my friend. The only good thing of this whole ordeal is that he is suffering no longer. He was getting old and was in pain. That is all gone now. I just never realized how much I loved my dog and how much he touched my life and my heart. I guess that is what old people feel about their pets. Your pets become your new children and we treat them like kids. How silly old people get. I guess I am about as silly as you can get. Getting old isn't so bad but it sure hurts when you lose something you love.