Last Commented Family Blogs (544)

Something very special happened to me this morning. This is something that happened only sixty two times before today. I became one day older. At 2:10 AM this morning (GMT-2) on this 23rd day of February (for the first time in my life ) I turned 63.

Yes, I know that most of you already wished me on Saturday, which technically was a false alarm but a dear friend here in Blogland was not sure if she would be able to wish me today so she though it prudent to do it on Saturday. This blog is only to set the record straight re my actual birth date and to thank each of you for the early well wishes.

I’ll had a late breakfast with some of my friends (thanks Hans) and will be entertained by the other at one of their homes for the rest of the day and early evening where we plan to make merry and to grill two large snoek (baracuta – not baracuda) on a bed of charcoal in the process.

I expect to be home by 9 PM and I will drop in for a few minutes if I am not too ‘tired’.


May your day be as wonderful as my day promises to be.

The ballplayer arched his shot high and as it made it's way down to the basket his Mom sat in her seat watching and hoping the ball would go in. Mom's worry too much because this is the "Coreman" shooting and his 3 point shot attempts have become a story in themselves. Coreman is an excellent shooter and all around ball player. Mom is my daughter and Coreman is my grandson Corey.

When he was a tyke of about 6 y.o. it seemed he was going to be short. Between me and him I started calling Corey, his real name, Coreman. I hugged him and made no mention of his small stature and I said to him, "Your my Coreman". I gave him positive boosts and told him he was a good person. Yes, Coreman and I have always been "pals". Just an inch longer in togetherness than our love for each other as G-Pop and G-Son which is pretty immense.

"Our" basket ball career began when he was probably 8 y.o. Corey wanted to shoot some hoops and I answered, "Does a chicken have lips"? In hip talk that mean indubitably "YES". And Corey and I are definitely "hip"!! Hee Hee

Corey's little arms and body hunched down and right before he took a shot he said, "Grandpa, I don't think I can reach the basket". My answer to him was, "So what. Just let it rip son because one day you'll be shooting 3 pointers from way out"!

Sure enough, his little arms just didn't have it. He just barely made it about 2 feet under the rim. He looked at me and didn't say a word. I looked at him and said, "Coreman, remember 'one day'!" With that he gave it a second try and the shot softly nestled into the rim and through. One day arrived just merely seconds after his first attempt even if it wasn't a 3 pointer. We looked at each other and we knew what we were saying to each other, "I love you". I don't even remember anything else after those 2 shots. But I knew we talked about basketball and some pointers. And we did it in "Dooood" talk.

Time has progressed and now he's tall and an awesome shooter. We call each other and we talk "shots and mechanics". I just have a feeling about Coreman. At his tender age he's already showing great basketball talents. We don't discuss that too much. We discuss grades because, as I have told him, college is more important.

He says, "GrampCamp, your right"! I love my Coreman!

I got up this morning and while drinking my coffee and watching the news a commercial came on showing a mother with child and dad walks in the door and the little boy runs to his dad..then on the screen comes BEING THERE.I remember years back another commercial that would come on late in the evening saying DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR KIDS ARE.Have we came to the point now that we need tv to tell us we are family or you have a family ..I remember as a young kid one thing I knew was that evening we would be at the supper table together and when I woke they would still be there,{now that was the days of family},,I know that divorce is at a high rate in the states but yet you can still be there for kids. Don't really know what I am trying to say here but thought, have we came to this..tv has to remind us we are family

I think I will call my family just to say hello, I love you

It was 1:15 when I got into my car to make the journey to Leo's house. As usual I had to ring him at his condo so I could be let in past the security gate. I dialed his code and the large gate slowly swung open. I drove in, parked and made my way to his front door!

I looked around at the lake surrounding his condo and the ducks were quacking away. I got closer and I called for Weenie his Corgy-Doxie mix dog. Weenie barked up a storm. She jumped all over me, wet the sidewalk with excitement and then we walked to the front door.

The first person I met was Brandon. I hugged that character then I walked over to Leo. He wasn't too happy to see me but I still hugged him. He pulled away and he ran over to Brandon to escape my hugs. Brandon's wife Tonia came down the steps and I hugged her too. Leo continued to stay away.

Another man came down the stairs and I vaguely remembered him. Brandon reminded me who he was and I hugged him too. It was his cousin and my nefew, Mark. Leo still kept his distance. We decided to go get a bite to eat. We arrived with Leo sitting next to me and ignoring me like all get out. I talked and he simply nodded.

We arrived at the eating place and we ordered. Leo seemed to be in his environment and he opened up. He wouldn't stop talking. I listened intently and put my 2 cents worth in. Leo finally had enough and he started hollering because he wanted to get home.

When we arrived home we went to the patio and drank a few beers while Leo tore the place up. He pulled those spiked LED solar lights that line a sidewalk for the esthetics then he banged'em around for good measure. He was having fun. Hollering up a storm. Leo was definitely in command.

It was time to go home and as I walked over to Leo to say my goodbyes he deftly pulled away and I had to force some hugs and cheek kisses. He fully protested.

I love my precious Grandson!

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Cast of Characters:

Leo, my handsome grandson!!!

Brandon, my son and Leo's dad!

Tonia, his gorgeous mother and my daughter in law!

Mark, my nefew.

Weenie, the dog.

Tommy, the cat slightly sighted up on the balcony!

Last monday my daughter from Portland was in town because her Uncle Joe passed away. I was sad although we weren't the best of pals so i went to the wake because I needed to see my daughter.

She was at her Mothers house (Uncle Joe's sister) and when I arrived I called her and she met me outside because they were on the way to the funeral home! I hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. My sweet little Yvonne was a woman and now and 50 years old. No matter, she was still my baby girl.

We got into the car and took off. When we arrived at the funeral home all the relatives were there and we said our "hellos"! Joe's ex was there so I guess we could call her his widow (I don't know the proper protocol) and we said hello again even though I don't remember meeting her previously.

The event began and we sat there waiting for people to come in and express their condolences. Man oh man, time had really passed. There were people there we had known a long time ago but I didn't even recognize them. It was an even draw because they didn't recognize me either! Hee Hee!

As I sat there I held on to my daughters arm. I did that because a couple of years ago I had a sudden revelation. My mother and father were my loves and they still are even in death. I have regretted not going home to visit them over the years. I had moved away and my job was a real maddening situation. I was tied down to my job.

I am no longer at this job so I have had lots of time to think. This will not happen to me and my children. My sweet daughter that I was visiting with now may live far but I was determined to make the smallest amount of time with her so special that we could both be assured our love for each other was fully intact!

We have always been pals and we have shared some crazy times as if she was a real special pal. She is but she is also my daughter and that makes everything treble special.

Her children are the best. My Granddaughter is a Biophysics and Biochemistry major. Her son is a strong B+ student with basketball talent that may make him a Pro one day. Her husband is one of the chairs at Oregon State College so the whole family is multi-talented.

No matter what their achievements are she is still my baby girl. We share some great and crazy memories! I love my children and grandchildren!

Hi Every one I am so Proud to Be a Uncle to my Nice Rosie well Rosie was Ment to Be Born on my Birthday 14 april 2012 she was Bron 1st May 2012 wow my sister was 9 Months Pregnant on my 30th Birthday 2012 well rosie Has been uncle Daves girl and I Love her to Bits what a Nice little Angel I have my girly Rosie Rose Bud xoxo Dave

Grey sky day after day, they said it looked like going to snow, snow may be fun and can colour the world , but I am afraid that I no feeling to enjoy its beauty ...

Though I keep my room warm like early Summer, the temperature is about 23. but the daytime looked like gloomy without sunshine. I want my air-conditioner have a rest in the Sunny afternoon, but it seems like an extravagant hope...

I love to see the power of sunshine though it have to be kept out of the windows... I miss the Sunshine, where you gone? where you hidden? Somebody told me if the Sun didn't appear, then draw a large Sun on the wall in the room. But I just wonder is this kind of illusions can work?

Anyhow, May the sunshine smile at my Dad 's bed often.

Warm regards to you all.

Hey I am sorry that I didn't send you an uplifting text 2day I was really busy....A flowers may die, the sun may set, but someeone like you i'll never 4get

Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen. How many of you have that faith in God, knowing that he will come through for you, even if the possibilities seems very impossible. We all have prayed for things that haven't came through for us, is it because God didn't want to grant it to us or is it because we lack faith?

I have visited several primary schools in Abu Dhbai these days. I plan to bring mum and my daughter to this city. So now \i have to look around for a good school for my daughter. I have been to musaffah area, and al raha garden and Abu Dhabi city.Now i need teach her more English, and she need pass the assessment from the school. I have been teaching her almost everyday one hour.

I wish my efforts will bring her good education!