Welcome Carla ( Criger) Golden.

[Teresa]

Hi Carla..
Thanks for your e-mail.. I was surprised  and pleased to hear from you ..
I am so glad that you found us and more excited that you are posting. That is really what it takes for this forum to stay alive. (Wouldn't be a very fun or interesting place if there wasn't anything to read .. and that is what happens if more people don't get involved.

I loved your daddy.  He was so funny and was just a sweetheart. I miss him. ( he sure had a lot of stories to tell)
I kept telling him that I didn't allow talking during massages, because I wanted him to relax.. His words always were, " Ahh to hell with that.. I want to talk to you honey, so you just work on me, and let me  talk."     So we went by his rules.. ( bet that doesn't surprise you does it?) What a character he was....

Anyway, glad you could join us here.. I hope it brings to  you a little bit of your "growing up home".

[Janet Harrington]

Welcome Carla, to the Howard Forum.  I hope you will join us often and I am sure that you have some memories of Howard.  My husband, Jim Harrington, used to work for your brother, Pat, many years ago in the oil patch.  Of course, Jim worked for Carl, first, and we really enjoyed knowing Carl when he was among us.  Again, welcome.

[CarlaG]

Thanks for the Welcome Teresa and Janet--

As I write this I think of so many memories that I have of Howard. I'm now writing a book about the lessons I learned as a child growing up there. I just finished a book about my life from small-town Kansas girl to Playboy Bunny to ordained minister. I'm hoping to find an agent and publisher.

Teresa, your comments about Daddy sound just like him. I miss him too. Thank goodness for the memories.

I hope that all goes well there in Howard. I see that it is up to 73 degrees there today. That is warmer than it was here in Florida! We just had a cold front come through.

Carla

[Jo McDonald]

Hi Carla,
  I don't know if you remember me or not..Jo McDonald  aka as Teresa and Sherri's Mother.
Fred and I moved to Howard in September 1947 and I will never forget the first time I saw
your Mother- Betty McClure Criger...I thought she was SO PRETTY  and may I say now.. When I clicked on and saw your picture ...I was looking at Betty once again   She came to me to have her hair done in the 70's and 80's when she was in Howard and I always enjoyed visiting with her and she was so proud of you!!!   And YES -- we all have fond memories of yuor Daddy ...What a flirt he was!!!  On the dance floor and off. 
  So nice to hear from you on the Forum, and what a great place to catch up with friends of the past. 
   Good luck with your book - I will be eager to read it
  Jo

[Teresa]

I'll be ready to read your book too. Sounds really interesting.

Another little thing on your dad.. lol

He used to tell me all about his and Waldo's escapades.. and he would start to laugh so hard that he couldn't get his breath. He would have me laughing not only at their antics, but because his laughter was so darn infectious.

And he would talk alot about you ..and his family. And anytime he was sharing things with me about his family ..not one time were they ever negative.  No matter if he agreed with everyone's choices, or whether he understood  them or not.. He always talked with pride and acceptance of whatever made you happy. He had unconditional love for you all.

The last time I gave him a massage, I had taken my table at his house and worked on him there.. When we were done.. he hugged me real hard and told me that he didn't think he would be around much longer.. but he was okay with that..as he knew it was his time to move on. He hung on to me and told me that if there was any way he could come back once and awhile for one of my massages, he would damned sure try. ha ha ha..
I told him that he would feel so good on the other side, that he wouldn't need my massages. He said, "I don't give a damn.. I'm still going to try.." **grinning**

He and I became close in a warm gentle way...and I think of him sometimes at the darndest times.. and I wonder if at those times, he isn't stopping in for a quick check up to see how things are going... and for a quick massage.
Anyway, that is what I am going to believe... **smiling**