I married Jerry Don Barlow (Cee Vee/Paducah) and have been married 43 years. (His brother, Jimmy is married to Linda Holland, Sr. '64). We live near Wetumka, Ok, which is the southeastern part of the state and only 90 miles from Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Ft. Smith, Arkansas. We are right in 'amongst' the Indians and there's a Casino on every corner. Whoopee!
We have one son, Tyce Alen who just turned 41 Christmas. They have three of the most precious teenagers ever and so smart too boot; Kelsey 16, Brice 14 & Cami 13. Our daughter-in-law, Gina is Principal of the Indianola High School. They live near McAlester, Ok. which is 45 miles away and quite handy for Nana and Papaw. Tyce is Supervisor of the Maintenance Dept for the Oklahoma State Prison at McAlester and received the 2004 and 2006 Supervisor of the Year awards. He is very much a people person and never meets a stranger. Jerry and I are so proud of Tyce and his family, but isn't that the way it's suppose to be.
I worked 30 years for Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, a subsidiary of ONEOK, Inc at Holdenville and retired Jan. 2002 when I was 58. I always said the place would fall apart when I left and sure enough when I retired, they closed the office, sold the building and all that's there now is a parking lot for a bank. Now was I right? Ha! Jerry just retired last summer from the private prison at Holdenville so we are just setting back with our feet propped up. We live in the country and have a few cattle so that gives him something to do. For years I've made glass bead watch bands and ear rings. Also love working with wood making planters, lawn chairs and herb boxes. I really love to cook, so my friends and family call me Martha Stewart and are always asking what Martha whipped up today? I'm keeping busy and wonder how I ever kept everything done while I was working. Of course, I haven't slowed down any either.
I do have a funny of how I met Jerry. He and James Holton were friends. They were dragging Main on a Saturday night and Barbara Moore and I were in my red and white 55 Chevy doing the same. James pulled us over and they ended up getting in with us. I wasn't impressed with Jerry and was trying to get he and Barbara connected. Can't remember what I did, but something caused the cops to turn on their lights and take after us. My brother-in-law had a garage/wrecker serv. and cars were parked along the side of their lots. I took off for there and pulled in among the cars, turned off the lights and we scooted down so they didn't see us with their spot light. After a while they gave up and left. The next day Jerry called and kept on until I went out with him. That was 45 years ago and I've blamed James Holton ever since.
James was one of my very dearest friends and so funny. Once we went on a date (my one and only with a classmate) and I had to tell him it wasn't going to work because he was more like a brother to me, and that's how I felt about most of the guys in our class. James and I kept in touch for years when we would both be in Childress visiting our parents. It was great seeing his picture posted and from the look on his face,he was having a real 'Holton' moment.
I have so many fond memories of Childress and especially CHS and the close friendships we had. I will be sending some funny stories shortly. Take care and have a great day=CB
We have one son, Tyce Alen who just turned 41 Christmas. They have three of the most precious teenagers ever and so smart too boot; Kelsey 16, Brice 14 & Cami 13. Our daughter-in-law, Gina is Principal of the Indianola High School. They live near McAlester, Ok. which is 45 miles away and quite handy for Nana and Papaw. Tyce is Supervisor of the Maintenance Dept for the Oklahoma State Prison at McAlester and received the 2004 and 2006 Supervisor of the Year awards. He is very much a people person and never meets a stranger. Jerry and I are so proud of Tyce and his family, but isn't that the way it's suppose to be.
I worked 30 years for Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, a subsidiary of ONEOK, Inc at Holdenville and retired Jan. 2002 when I was 58. I always said the place would fall apart when I left and sure enough when I retired, they closed the office, sold the building and all that's there now is a parking lot for a bank. Now was I right? Ha! Jerry just retired last summer from the private prison at Holdenville so we are just setting back with our feet propped up. We live in the country and have a few cattle so that gives him something to do. For years I've made glass bead watch bands and ear rings. Also love working with wood making planters, lawn chairs and herb boxes. I really love to cook, so my friends and family call me Martha Stewart and are always asking what Martha whipped up today? I'm keeping busy and wonder how I ever kept everything done while I was working. Of course, I haven't slowed down any either.
I do have a funny of how I met Jerry. He and James Holton were friends. They were dragging Main on a Saturday night and Barbara Moore and I were in my red and white 55 Chevy doing the same. James pulled us over and they ended up getting in with us. I wasn't impressed with Jerry and was trying to get he and Barbara connected. Can't remember what I did, but something caused the cops to turn on their lights and take after us. My brother-in-law had a garage/wrecker serv. and cars were parked along the side of their lots. I took off for there and pulled in among the cars, turned off the lights and we scooted down so they didn't see us with their spot light. After a while they gave up and left. The next day Jerry called and kept on until I went out with him. That was 45 years ago and I've blamed James Holton ever since.
James was one of my very dearest friends and so funny. Once we went on a date (my one and only with a classmate) and I had to tell him it wasn't going to work because he was more like a brother to me, and that's how I felt about most of the guys in our class. James and I kept in touch for years when we would both be in Childress visiting our parents. It was great seeing his picture posted and from the look on his face,he was having a real 'Holton' moment.
I have so many fond memories of Childress and especially CHS and the close friendships we had. I will be sending some funny stories shortly. Take care and have a great day=CB
6 comments:
Carolyn,
Thank you so much for sharing your bio with us. I was happy to see that you guys have been married for 43 years. I wasn't sure that Jim and I hadn't been married just about longer than anyone, but we will have been married 43 years later this month. We always remind each other that time really flys when you are having fun.
You really caught my eye when you started talking about your crafts. Send pictures of your work. Do you go to crafter shows are anything? My family has actually called me Martha Stewart a few times, too, but I am afraid it wasn't meant as a compliment! I personally think she is pretty awesome! But then--I like Stacy and Clinton on What Not to Wear," too.
I love hearing about your family and I do look forward to more stories from you. (SOON)
Hi Carolyn. Nicki and I are so glad to have you join us on the blog. It was interesting to read about how you met your husband. Congrats on 43 years of marriage!!! Yahn and I will hit 40 years this year ... but he wasn't a Childress boy, so I had to wait for fate (in the person of a mutual friend) to introduce us elsewhere. If you are interested in reading a story about our dating, you might want to read my post "Close Encounters of the Bobcat Kind" (September 13, 2007).
I might mention here that Nicki and I have been talking for some time about doing a post about how some of us met and married our spouses ... including some stories about most unusual weddings, so your tale may have push us in that direction.
Your craftwork sounds interesting, and as Nicki said, we'd love to see pictures if you have them. We also hope you will share stories and more memories, too.
We look forward to hearing more from you.
)O(
Hi, Carolyn! It is super to hear from you! We have XM in our car and HAVE to listen to the 50s and 60s station, always. Every time I hear “Mashed Potatoes” I think of being your backup singer when we did that song on stage in assembly. Do you remember??? That was so much fun! Hope to see you in Vegas!
Mashed Potatoes!! I have thought of that day on a regular basis for so many years! I Remember Carolyn's being in the band hall and teaching a whole group of us how to Mash Potato!! She said, "Just move your feet like you are mashing a potato!" I thought she was TOTALLY AWESOME! Now, what I want to know, is where the heck did she learn all of those moves before we did? I watched American Bandstand EVERYDAY!!, and never did I see the Mashed Potato until Carolyn taught us how to do it. Thank you Carolyn! You have always been my dance guru. Of course, I was never asked to be a "backup singer". End of story.
Hey Carolyn, I loved reading about your life in a nutshell. I know you have had a much more exciting life, but I do understand WORK.
Along with the rest, I am looking forward to hearing more of your exciting stories about running from the cops, making jewelry, and just plain ole living..if that is part of your demeanor.
Carolyn---------so good to hear from you. I remember you ALWAYS had a smile on your face and put one on ours as well.
Congratulations on retirement and reaping the rewards of a good life. I can't wait to hear more funny stories from you.
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