Re-Post from an earlier blog:
When I first was separated from my ex-wife, Arlene, my three kids were all under 10 years old. When Christmas came around that year I knew it was going to be hard — maybe not so much for the kids, but for me (selfish).
All in Kids
Halloween And My Fight With A Pirate
When the kids came along to have a house filled with Halloween decorations was appropriate. The trick-or-treaters that ventured up our walkway were assaulted by various forms of zombies and ghouls that reached from the grave to take hold of the little princesses and cowboys in search of candy.
Not Your Average Father's Day Story
It was Father’s Day a few years ago and the kids and I decided to do a tour of the Jersey shore. The plan was to start in Asbury Park, and then we would work our way along the coast to Belmar and then end up in Point Pleasant for a late lunch. In Asbury Park, as we walked the boardwalk, I got excited as we neared Convention Hall. I told the kids to follow me...
Ex-Wife's Last Call (and it wasn't in a bar)
Anyone who has read my blog knows I write about my ex-wife, Arlene, a good deal of the time. Now, before you think this is some angry ex-husband rant, you’d be wrong.
Meet Cleo, the Crazy Christmas Clown
We can all agree, clown dolls are creepy.
OK, lets move on.
My Daughter’s Career Choices: Journalist, Doctor, or Pet Photographer
I was at my sister’s house a few years ago for a family function, not sure of the actual occasion, when my daughter Amanda, who was three years into her degree in journalism at NYU casually said, “You know, maybe I should be a doctor.”
Similar Thoughts - By Guest Blogger Scott DeSantis
Maybe I’ve become a little more emotional over the years because of certain things I’ve been through, and that emotion sparks these random family thoughts, but regardless, here we are.
A Christmas Tradition From Years Ago
With all the traditions that come with this time of year, there is one in particular that my friends and I have not celebrated since we started having kids and the holidays became all about them (thanks for ruining Christmas, kids).
Ghosts of Jersey Storms Past: On the Anniversary of Hurricane Sandy
It is Monday night, and I am sitting here in New Jersey waiting for Hurricane Sandy to reach landfall.
When You Were Born You Broke The Mold, Then Broke It Again
I am amazed that siblings growing up in the same house could be so different from one another. My daughter, Amanda, my sons, Alexander and Danny, may share a common genetic code, but that’s about it. You can tell they are related but I knew watching them grow up, they weren’t the same.
How can you change the world? - By Guest Blogger Scott DeSantis
I’m a contractor, the most I write on a weekly basis is my material list for the job on a random scrap of lumber or drywall. Do I go with sports? Not everyone likes sports. Do I go with family? Not everyone will understand the dynamic. Do I go with politics? Nope. Angry, happy, sad, sappy, inspirational. The possibilities are endless for the guy who only writes on trash all week…
Not Every Beach Story is Fun Under the Sun
Normally, my stories about family vacations down in Belmar, New Jersey are lighthearted and usually involve a lot of drinking stories (on my part) or reliving memories.
This isn’t one of those stories.
Leaning In...
Note - this is not a blog about skiing…
Be Selfish for the New Year: Part Two
I was right by the Dunkin’ Donuts kiosk, so moved over to order.
From Sad Santa to Bad Santa
How times have changed.
A Visit to My Parents That Was a Long Time Coming
It’s not like they were going anywhere
My First Christmas in Heaven
My late mom loooooved Christmas. She always wanted to open a “Christmas” store. In the words of Tom Hanks in “Sleepless in Seattle” talking about his late wife, “Maggie loved Christmas. She made everything [pause] beautiful.”
At Least I Didn’t Name Anyone Alfred
The mistake I would not make with my children
Birthday Surprises Over the Years
But the real surprise is who continues to give them