Comment from I am Cat

Excellent

Here we go...
Oh , now that's an adorable pug! We had one for 16 years.. Emotional issues? Don't kid yourself, their noses are shoved so far back into their brains, it can only be mental health issues... I've suffered from some of the same ones myself... And damn, how can one little dog shed so much hair???

Ok, yeah, i'm off topic, I'm just sort of excited to be back at it...
Somebody is dying, and i hate to hear it's about to be a kid... :(
Cat

 Comment Written 07-Jun-2015

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reply by the author on 08-Jun-2015

Sixteen years. That's pretty old for a pug. Nichole has had two that passed away. She's quick to replace them though. They are her babies.
No, the death isn't going to be a child.

reply by I am Cat on 08-Jun-2015

oh good. That's good... well... death isn't good... but yeah, it's always someone's child I guess... no matter how old they are. they belong to someone.
*sigh*

Comment from patcelaw

Excellent

neat story of the trials of your life, but true to you ornery nature you leave me hanging like a wet suit. I am not sure I can forgive that flaw of yours. LOL :-)

 Comment Written 20-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 21-Mar-2015

Not to fret. I just posted the next chapter, but another cliff-hanger. Sorry:-)

Comment from adewpearl

Excellent

great job of covering lots of developments in several relationships in just a few paragraphs - sounds like you have a complicated family, which many many readers will identify with since many of us have complicated families :-) Brooke

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 20-Mar-2015

If you dig deep enough, you can find a lot of nuts. :-)

Comment from mermaids

Excellent

To me, the pug makes Jeff almost look handsome, I almost dropped my laptop on the floor. A hilarious line. I like how you eave together the stories of the various relatives together, it makes this interesting and holds the reader. Looking forward to the next installment.

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 19-Mar-2015

Thanks, mermaids, for the comment of weaving stories together.

Comment from w.j.debi

Excellent

It's hard to catch a breath reading this narrative. Pow, bam, wow. I kept expecting a respite in the tensions but it never came. But life sometimes comes at us like that. You set the reader up well for the next chapter.

 Comment Written 18-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 19-Mar-2015

Thanks, debi. I guess a lot does happen, but it's tame compared to what comes next.

Comment from IndianaIrish

Excellent

You're so good, Shari, at writing edge-of-the-seat ending hooks! Your chapters are short, but always interesting and grabbing. There are several tense changes to present in this chapter and your story is in past. I enjoyed your chapter.
Smiles,
Karyn :-)

Master's Degree in Computer Engineering, has(need a past tense like got or received) a good job

enthusiasm for all(-)around exercise and a healthy diet.

Mom Sid after he brings (brought) her home at Easter time.

Nicole calls (called) from L.A. She's (was)living with Jeff in a small apartment. They buy(bought) a black pug with emotional issues and name(named) him Bugsy. I'm (I was)in shock.

But Jeff is (was)allergic to cats. So a dog it is(was).To me, the pug makes(made) Jeff look almost handsome.(lmaooo love this!)

It's a love mixed(-)up with jealousy relationship.( the sentence sounds off a bit. Maybe something like--their relationship was love mixed-up with jealousy.)

But differences are(we're) forgotten when a crisis is(was) so severe, the pain has(had) to be lessened by sharing

The news broke another part of (my??)mother's heart

 Comment Written 18-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 19-Mar-2015

Thanks, Karyn. For some reason, present tense sounded better for this post. Gut feeling maybe.I did make some of the changes and thank you so much for taking time to jot these down. A review vote if I have any left.

Comment from Phyllis Stewart

Excellent

Oh, my! What happened? You left us with a scare.

I like your line comparing Jeff and the pug. LOL!

First time, she's been out of America. << Should not be a comma there.

 Comment Written 18-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 19-Mar-2015

Thanks, Phyllis. I was dubious about that comma too. :-)

Comment from maggieadams

Excellent

Okay, you left me hanging...I had settled in wanting to read more...you rat! (lol)... Hope it will come soon. When you do write it as a book, I hope that this chapter will include the crisis...please hurray with this.

 Comment Written 18-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 19-Mar-2015

Next chapter is twice this size. I don't like long chapters unless I have the money to promote them higher. Hope to get the next chapter on tomorrow.

Comment from judiverse

Excellent

Sounds like a typical family. I think present tense works well for you in this. It makes everything seem fresh. Your sister is doing well, and your son surely made you proud, getting his Master's in computer engineering, and ready to get married and settle down. Your aunt sounds like quite a character. I'll be eager to find out what the situation was that caused all that anger and resentment in Dee. judi

 Comment Written 18-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 18-Mar-2015

Thanks, judi, for the feedback about tense.

reply by judiverse on 19-Mar-2015

You're welcome. judi

Comment from boxergirl

Excellent

This is a nice little interlude in your story that summarizes what stage your children are in now. Funny references, especially in regards to Bugsy and Jeff.
Great setup at the end which leaves readers anxious for your next post. 8-)

 Comment Written 18-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 18-Mar-2015

Thanks, BG. The next chapter will be devastating to my Aunt at least.