Mr. and Mrs. Jones

 As a follow-up to my last post (three years ago!), our mother said she'd been married once prior to marrying our father, but we weren't able to find any proof of that.

Thanks to Ancestry continuing to add records, I've now been able to verify that she did, in fact, get married in July of 1952.

In Colorado, to which I was asked "What the hell was she doing in Colorado?"

That, unfortunately, is a question I'll probably never be able to answer, but at least we've learned this much.

Side note:  She must have thought that July was a good month for marriage, as she married our father almost exactly three years later (7/13/55).

Finding photographs .....

When I saw a TV ad for Ancestry's new yearbooks feature, I decided to take advantage and try looking up some relatives.  Then someone reminded me that Classmates also has thousands of yearbooks online, so I thought to check there as well.

 

It took some digging, but I was finally able to find my mother's high school graduation picture.

Class of 1947

 

Three out of four ain't bad .....

Had a good time reuniting with two of my three siblings in April.  My older brother wasn't able to join us, but my older sister and younger brother were there, along with their spouses.

 

It's interesting how, even though we were mostly raised apart, we're so very similar in so very many ways.  It was good to feel that connection, although we were only together for a couple days.

 

Older sister, "baby" brother, and me; April, 2017

 

 

Hopefully we won't have to wait 20 years for the next get-together!

 

Sibling Reunion .....

If I'm remembering correctly, the last time that all three of my full siblings and I were together was in 1996.  It's also the only time we've all been together, except for when we were very young children.  In 1996, the occasion was our mother's birthday, and it was a surprise.  She hadn't seen me in several years, and hadn't seen my younger brother since he was taken away from her for adoption at the age of three months.

Last year my older brother and sister, who are fraternal twins, turned 60.  They decided on a co-celebration and invited me to join them.  Unfortunately, their birthday falls at a time when it just wasn't possible for me to get away so, reluctantly, I had to decline.  

So this year, as *I* turn 60 (and just how the heck did THAT happen?), there was some chatter about them coming to see me to formally acknowledge my official over-the-hill-ness.  In the end, though, we decided it was easiest if I traveled to them.  So, come April, I'll be heading off for a second sibling reunion.  I'm actually glad I'm making the trip this year rather than last, as my younger brother (who also didn't attend last year) will be able to join us!

I've met my sister's husband, but haven't met my brothers' wives, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to get to know these new-to-me family members. 

And I'm grateful that we all actually consider each other to BE siblings.  Legally, that's not the case, as adoption has officially made us "cousins" -- but we refuse to use that term.  We are, now and forever, brothers and sisters.  Siblings.  Family.

Happy Birthday to me!

Shameless Self-Promotion, part deux .....

I recently published my second children's book, again starring the kitten that I adopted from our local animal shelter.  One of our local news stations did a story on the book, since a portion of the proceeds are donated back to the shelter, and I'm excited to report that we're already seeing a positive reaction.

Watch the interview HERE and, if you're so inclined, snag your own copy of the book at Amazon.com:

Wibber Dibber Doo, Merry Christmas to You