MAKING ENDS MEET

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Debbie was very pregnant with Rob standing next to our 10 inch black and white G.E. TV. Klamath Falls had one television station and it went off the air around 11:00 PM. Cable was available for 5.00 dollars a month but we couldn't afford it. When Rob was born he cost us 25.00 dollars. I had to set up payments of 5 dollars a month. As an Airman I made 100 dollars a month and was paid every 2 weeks. Deb was paid an allotment of 100 dollars a month. Our rent was 65.00 dollars. In the last few days before I was paid we would usually be down to spaghetti and water. I worked a lot of day jobs on my days off at an ice house and a moving company to make ends meet. I also worked on a potato farm. We walked most places because we didn't have a car. Deb was craving banana splits. The nearest Dairy Queen was at least a mile one way. I would walk two miles to buy her banana splits. The ice cream would be melted by the time I got to her with it but she didn't care. Things were tough but I think it made our marriage stronger. We only had each other to lean on. The closest family was 2,300 miles away.

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