Comment from Rosalyne

Exceptional

Hi, Shari.
I've been away for a while and at a snail's pace am catching up. I didn't want to jump into your book at the point you're at now, but enjoy it from the beginning.

This is such a well-written biography. You really capture the feelings and emotional ups and downs of your family relationships. Writing openly like this isn't easy, but really brings the reader into the book.

I'm so glad to read that you and Nichole patched things up. It's so difficult when our kids enter into a relationship with those we don't like or views are so different to ours. You've shown this well.

Bye
Rosalyne :)

 Comment Written 21-Nov-2015

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reply by the author on 21-Nov-2015

Wherever you went, I hope you had a good time. I'd love a vacation. I understand the mail piling up! I stop to write and go back to messages after two days out and am overwhelmed! Thank you so much for the six. I'm glad you appreciate the situation I was in.

reply by Rosalyne on 21-Nov-2015

Thanks. It's great to be back. I'm really enjoying your book. Looking forward to my continued read.
Have a great night. :)

Comment from I am Cat

Excellent

uh oh.... I feel a storm brewing...
:(

I hate it when we have to be at odds with our kids...
but you know...
this is how they get the nerve to leave, I guess

It just breaks my heart.
Very well written, Shari, I'm enjoying the story (sorry... I guess i"m enjoying your pain?... that's just not right) :(
Anyway... carry on tomorrow!
cAt

 Comment Written 20-May-2015

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reply by the author on 21-May-2015

Fortunately, I've never been at odds with my son. Enjoy away. I'm all over the pain. Hard to find time to write, so my next post is short.

reply by I am Cat on 21-May-2015

I've never been at odd with my son either... He seems so much more .... (like me) LOL

Comment from w.j.debi

Excellent

That earthquake must have been terrifying, and good thing your daughter had not moved into that apartment building. It was nice you had some time together to rebuild your relationship, but then you throw in that twist at the end...

 Comment Written 04-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 05-Mar-2015

It will be a while until I get there. It's still a painful memory for both of us.

Comment from Cat of Letters

Excellent

Hi,

This episode was an exciting one.

A very close call for your daughter with that earthquake and the damage in the building they almost moved to.

Can only imagine you anxiety until you learned they were safe.

Best wishes, Alison

 Comment Written 26-Feb-2015

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reply by the author on 26-Feb-2015

Talk about walking on pins and needles! The longer she lived there, I gave up worrying. Nothing I could do about it.

Comment from Phyllis Stewart

Excellent

Sorry it had to change. Seemed like a nice visit. I still don't understand why she would choose a loser like Jeff, and I know I would have a verrry hard time accepting it too.

 Comment Written 25-Feb-2015

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reply by the author on 25-Feb-2015

Part of the answer lies in the next segment, just posted.

Comment from Dean Kuch

Excellent

Well, it's nice to know that neither your daughter or Jeff were not hurt in any way in the quake. That's one of the reasons I keep my old butt planted in the Midwest. No too many earthquakes happen here. Of course, we do have twisters, so...

So the couple moved to Seattle. Beautiful city, but the rumors that it rains a lot there are very true. When I was there for two weeks in the summer of 1992, it rained almost every single day. And it was a cold rain too, not the warm summer rains we have here. But, there's certainly a lot to do and see in Seattle. The crime rate for a city of that size and population is pretty tame too.

At least you and Nichole were able to get back on good terms for awhile. But, relationships, especially those with our grown children, are often confrontational. The generation gap, what they see as perfectly acceptable, may not be so for us. But, we realize they are adults and just hope they make the right decisions. Just because they're grown doesn't prevent us from putting our two-cents in from time to time, either.

~Dean

 Comment Written 25-Feb-2015

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reply by the author on 25-Feb-2015

I got lucky. It never rained the week I spent in Seattle. I do feel sorry for the generation today. They are on sensory overload. Thanks for the lovely review.

reply by Dean Kuch on 25-Feb-2015

It was my pleasure as always, Shari. :) ~Dean

Comment from maggieadams

Excellent

Is this the replacement chapter? It is well done and gives honesty about your feelings, but doesn't impugn Jeff beyond repair. It is touching and obvious that you care about your daughter and want to have a relationship...the ending makes me want to read the next chapter, so get with it, lady! I am from Portland and have visited Seattle many times...I loved the mention of all the familiar sites. Nichole's always favors...should be Nichole always favors.

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Feb-2015

Thanks, Maggie. I did want to redeem Jeff after maligning him. Glad this offered a trip down memory lane.

Comment from Louise Michelle

Excellent

Well, Shari, I can't blame them for wanting to move away from earthquakes. I'll be interested in reading how your first visit went, considering how you felt about her boyfriend. Hugs, Lou

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Feb-2015

Now that Nichole felt secure about Jeff, she could me the attention I wanted. LOL

Comment from sgalletti

Excellent

Hi! I've got some time, so I'm spending it reviewing some of my favorite authors - you being one! Enjoyed this introduction (for me) to your daughter and her boyfriend. Yep - they tend to rebel and do what they want. I was especially interested in your story because I was in the HUGE earthquake centered in the LA/Ventura area in 1971, lived in Santa Monica, and lived for 20 years in Seattle (worked in a very popular restaurant in Pioneer Square called The Merchant's Cafe. So, you brought me some memories. Best of luck in the continuation of your story. Sue

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Feb-2015

I'm really flattered, you being one of the better poets on site. Prose is obviously more my thing. Wish Nichole had rebelled as a teenager instead of a young woman. My daughter worked in Santa Monica for a while in an office position. If I remember correctly, she ate near the beach on her lunch hour break and loved it.

Comment from mermaids

Excellent

This is quite a story, earthquakes, your daughter moving in with her boyfriend and then moving to Seattle. Your last line has me looking forward to the next installment and your memoir has a smooth flow of story and characters that keeps me interested.

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Feb-2015

Thanks, mermaids, for letting me know what works.