extended family
All about how to stay connected, strengthen ties and talk politics with your big, happy extended family.
Large Marge
Large Marge was a force to be reckoned with. It wasn't due to her physical presence by any means, she was a mere five feet tall; she was simply overflowing with ideas, opinions and character. She was my mother-in-law, and she remained a close friend even after her son ~ my late husband, died twenty-two years ago.
By Juliette McCoy Riitters5 years ago in Families
Mom, The Boss Lady
I grew up in the back rooms of restaurants, while my mother worked hard every day to earn money that afforded us a lifestyle unlike any of my friends. Both of my parents had new cars. My mother had new jewelry. We had a big screen projection television before big screen televisions were a thing. I could have as much soda as I wanted while my friends were always limited on how much they could have. I just went up to the front of the restaurant and helped myself.
By Michelle Devon5 years ago in Families
Washing Away
She knew this would be the last time she’d ever be allowed back here. The ‘for sale’ sign had been taken down, the paper work was being signed somewhere by the lawyers. This was it. It was official. So many memories in this cabin, an entire childhood really. Now, even though this place was staying in the family, she knew the doors would never be opened up again to the family at large.
By Kelly Anne5 years ago in Families
AUNT FOREVER
Kids are incredible little beings. Endlessly strange, honest, fun, surprising. They rule, OK? I don't have any children of my own and honestly, I don't know if I ever will. In the meantime, while life goes on (as it has the annoying tendency to do), I'm extra thankful for my role in four kids' lives as their aunt. Being an aunt offers the joy of spending time with children without any of the major obligations. It's one of the most win-win situations I can think of.
By Dandelionclub5 years ago in Families
AUNT FOREVER
What is it that the best babysitters know? Best is not only a quality to describe what all parents hope their babysitter is! It is also a useful acronym to ensure that a babysitter knows a child's routine prior to being left to look after him or her. Before you as a parent leave your house and leave your kid under another person's care, you have to be sure to go over the fundamentals of your best list - bedtime, entertainment, snacks/meals, and toileting. Who else would be better at taking over your position of looking after your kids like your sister? Wouldn't your sister be the best in implementing all of your requirements for babysitting your children? I think the answer is quite clear, if you ask me.
By Dandelionclub5 years ago in Families
Four Sisters
On December 2nd, I arrived at Mr. Brennan’s office promptly at 8: a. m. to begin my six months of lockdown. Bernice was next to arrive with her two Moncler and Rimowa carry-ons. Dorothy came minutes later with her two Fendi carry-ons. And our baby girl Monica arrived last with her two Gucci carry-ons. I looked at my sisters and asked myself why am I the only one whose luggage came from Walmart?
By Karen Thomas6 years ago in Families
Four sisters
Four Sisters—Settling In After assisting our baby girl off the floor, Mr. Brennan took us on a tour of the house and introduced us to the staff. The foyer was brightly lit by four French Empire Chandeliers. On the walls were artworks by Haffkta, Watteau, and Gold. Next to the door was a Once Upon A Time mirror by Sturkenboom. Directly across from each other were two identical Saltford settees. The floors were black and white marble. It was more like a grand ballroom rather than a foyer.
By Karen Thomas6 years ago in Families
The Most Beautiful Thing I've Ever Seen
On the day of our first date, we had been together for 33 years, six months, and six days, and the wild was still in her eyes. She twisted her long black curls, now streaked with silver into a bun on top of her head, and cracked her knuckles. Her fingers were still covered in the turquoise rings that I had bought her on the road trip to Santa Fe when we were in our twenties. Back then, we couldn’t even afford a tent, so we snuggled together in the desert night and let the light of the stars keep us warm. Lord, how the times have changed.
By Ella R Kerr6 years ago in Families
The Treasure Box
A number of years ago when my granddaughters were all younger from 4 to 12 we would go on a week long camping trip along with other friends who had small children there was a mixture of boys and girls, the mothers and aunts would get together and decide what would make the camping trip a memorable one. This year I decided to do something on my own for the kids, I created a authentic looking map stained with tea on parchment paper used black ink with a odd looking compass but you could well see that it was a compass, then I had a wooden box made with a pirate and crossbones burned into it, rummaged through my cosmetic jewelry and stuffed it into the box this was looking pretty cool for kids to dig up!
By Branda Trickett6 years ago in Families
The Next Few Years Will Be Good for Ancestral Research
Back when I started researching my family tree in the early 2000s, there were a lot of personal family tree websites online (with varying degrees of accuracy) and often the creators of those sites lacked a sense of privacy and identity theft concerns. Fortunately, people seem to be more aware of those issues these days. Family history books which contain private information about living people and were written before the internet existed no longer seem to appear in Google searches, which is a good thing!
By Tom Cooley6 years ago in Families
Hot Summer Nights
Hot Summer Nights My moms sister, my Aunt Sally, was kind enough to offer to take Matt and I for a month in the summer before my eighth grade year, the parents couldn’t pay for the plane tickets fast enough. I was twelve and Matt was ten and this was to be our first vacation away from the parents, and Vice versa.
By Gregory Dolan Dies6 years ago in Families
