“I’m a retired longshoreman. That was some hard work, cutting and welding to repair those big containers they ship overseas. “And I’ve had some other interesting jobs. I worked in a chicken plant for more than 10 years, processing the chickens that you buy in … Continue readingAfter what he saw, ‘I won’t touch chicken livers’
“I used to climb mountains when I lived in Colorado. I guess the culture there is built around that kind of thing. It was just like a fun challenge for me. “My biggest achievement was climbing Pikes Peak. I did it by myself. It was … Continue readingHe won’t soon forget climbing Pikes Peak
“High school was so easy for me. I thought I knew how to study and manage my time and school work. Then I started college and it was completely different. It was a lot harder. Now I look back and think, I should have been … Continue readingCollege experience brings her family closer
“My biggest challenge right now is probably my son’s dad. We’re separated, and trying to get him to become more involved with my son has been difficult. I don’t think he was as ready to be a dad as he thought he was. “Now I’m … Continue readingPost-separation, life raising son is easier
What have you been doing during the holiday break? “I’ve been going to the gym to stay in shape and fishing with my brother and cousin. We’re trying to get in as much fishing as we can before we have to go back to school.”
“We have two rescue dogs. We bought Levi here as a puppy. We weren’t planning to, but he was in a really bad part of town and he was flea infested. I just couldn’t leave him there. So, I gave the lady $100 and took … Continue readingDogs find safe, loving home with this guy
“I’ve lived through her … Girl Scouts, FFA, 4-H. We still do a lot together. My husband — her stepdad — gets upset about it sometimes. But you know what, I had her because I wanted her. Nobody can take that away. She’s my girl.” … Continue readingMother, daughter each other’s biggest cheerleader
“They like watching basketball, especially the Houston Rockets, and they play a lot, too. We have one of those hoops in the house that fits on top of the door. They’re always playing with that. Before we eat, they’re shooting. As soon as we’re done … Continue readingThese boys eat, sleep and breathe basketball
“I’m part of a faith-based, drug and alcohol recovery program. I was an alcoholic for over 35 years. I thought I was going to die with a bottle of whiskey in my hand. Through our center and what I was taught there and what I … Continue reading‘I thought I’d die with a bottle of whiskey in my hand’
“My babies are 34 and 27. My son had little bumps along the way, but he’s been sober for over three years now. “It was tough. I was always so afraid for him, scared that I was going to get that phone call that he … Continue readingBumps in the road behind her son now