In Noa’s classroom, my dog Gus and I both have lessons to learn—mine: “get off your phone”; his: “stop eating from the garbage.” We take our seats (mine cross-legged, his…loosely interpreted), and class begins. Within minutes, my phone is confiscated, Gus is barely paying attention, and somehow, I’m the one who ends up in the principal’s office. And I learn: To slow down and be present.
Category: Family
A Celebration 95 Years in the Making
This past December, our family gathered to celebrate my dad’s 95th birthday—a milestone marked not just by years, but by love, generosity, humor, and the legacy he continues to pass forward. Through stories shared by children, grandchildren, and in-laws, we honored a man who led by example, embraced change, loved deeply, and showed us that family is life’s greatest success. It was a reminder that growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional, and a life well lived leaves a lasting imprint on generations.
Warning: Buying a Sycamore Means You Can Never Move!
🦃ThanksGiving ThankFULL
My Thanksgiving ThankFULL list – GEEZ! I hope I didn’t forget anybody—Heartfelt, Humorous, & always Personal – HAPPY THANKSGIVING Y’ALL! 🦃 #Thanksgiving #RaisingJess #Family #Tofurkey #TurkeyDay #BuffaloTurkeyTrot #Humor #Gratitude
Diapers, Dishes & Delusions of Control – Happy Mother’s Day!
Diapers, Dishes, and Delusions of Control at Home—
Written in ’90 -A Happy Mother’s Day Poem
Updated By Nana Vickie – in 2025
The story continues with an updated vibe
Are Emojis Generational? 🤔 & Go Bills! 🦬❤️”
My texts with friends are emoji chaos, but with my millennial kids. It’s like 🚫🥰 not ❤️. Where’s the fun in that? & GO BILLS! 🏈🦬
#Emoji #Buffalo #BuffaloBills #JoshAllen #RaisingJess #Boomers #Millennials #Generations
THE F-WORDs
The F-word? Why does your mind immediately go there? That’s not what I meant at all-Read to see the real meaning of F-words & some H-words!
Noa and Nana’s Birthday Extravaganza
Noa was due on my birthday but, of course, she had her own plans! Now we’re celebrating together—Noa style, adoring, adornment and all! #Birthday #Nana #Generation #Celebration #Diva #foodanddrink #RaisingJess #Daughter #Granddaughter #Birthday
Family Reunion 2024
It’s noon, but “5 o’clock somewhere!” Playing UNO, and enjoying a too-early beer at our annual 13th (or maybe 10th or 11th) family reunion! #RaisingJess #CattaraugusCounty, #WesternNewYork, #FamilyReunion, #Traditions, #AnnualGathering #Humor
NYT Quiz
“Ah, Friday – the day when I question my entire week’s worth of news intake, hoping it’s enough to secure victory in the family NYT quiz showdown.
Club Cuisine Crisis: Eating Interruptus
Crisis, also known as Eating Interruptus. Plus, a Cool Bill’s Story!
#RaisingJess #Eating #Humor #Blog #BuffaloBills #Football
We Did It MY WAY
A really short verse about marriage and compromise – The best scenario is when you both can say -We Did It MY WAY!
#humor #marriage #compromise #MyWay #Poetry #Poem #RaisingJess
Three Glorious Moments-at the Baseball Field
Starting In the 1990s – Husband Mitch was our son Alex’s Little League Coach. It is now 2021; read to see 3 Glorious Moments at the diamond.
3 Inspirational Messages from Above: Thanks, Ben!
3 Inspirational Messages is a Powerful Story of being open to messages and signs from above. As told by my friend Chris.
A Positive Covid-19 Test Result on Our 41st Wedding Anniversary
A Positive Covid-19 Test Result on Our 41st Wedding Anniversary. As my Dad jokingly said, “even a hypochondriac can be right sometimes!”
How a Unique Toast to Mom Helped Us Continue a Family Tradition
How a Unique Toast to Mom Helped Us Begin to Heal