Things my kids never asked but I answered anyway. B

 

October 17, 2022 This is from Ancestry,  so I figured I would answer and see if I can get TP to do the same. We have seven conversation starters to help you create and capture the fascinating details and memories that make up your family story. Ask a parent, have kids interview grandparents, or record your answers yourself for future generations.

	•	What was your childhood home like?     We lived on Parker street.  A Cape with two bedrooms upstairs and a kitchen, living room and den on the main floor.  It was a great neighborhood with lots of kids. We lived a short walk from elementary school and walked home for lunch in 1st and 2nd grade.  The kitchen had red and white tiled floors.  The staircase going upstairs was my most favorite place to sit and watch my parents and their friends gather.   The 'den' was my parents bedroom.  we had one bathroom.  My dad made us take 'military' showers, five minutes at the most.
	•	Why did your parents give you your name?     I was named  after Aunt Betty Whiteway.  She was the wife of my great uncle Bruce Whiteway.
	•	What were your parents’ occupations? My mom was a stay at home mother.  she did work prior to getting married. But stayed at home.  She did sell queensway clothing from home. I remember the clothes and modeling them.  When we all got older she worked at the Holiday Inn in the laundry room, then Stoffers Inn in Bedford.   She then worked at the High School as a custodian, where she was in a union, when they had layoffs, they laid off all the women and she fought it ..   they reinstated the women with back pay and laid off lass hired ....      My dad was an accountant.  I remember he sold insurance first though.  He worked at places like Sylvania, Microsystems, Lilton (I think) and Start to Finish.  He did a bunch of smaller jobs and tried to start his own side company with his friends.   He was a good accountant.  But I don't think that was his dream job.
	•	What is your earliest memory?     Rolling of the bed onto the floor.  falling onto a hard surface outside.  this was all in the little house before parker street.   on parker street, it was walking to school.  fainting in the gym on the first day of school.  My first-grade teacher.
	•	What makes you the happiest? Quiet, sitting out on my deck, my kids coming over and just hanging with us.
	•	What has changed the most since you were a child? Everything.  The way people talk to each other.  TV, Computers, Phones, Work.   purchasing food and clothing.
	•	What is the bravest thing you’ve ever done? Getting up in front of people and talking ...  I was in DECA and was on the NE board.  I got to speak in front of many students.  Terrifying.   How did you meet Dad?             So, I had just graduated high school and was paying rent at my parents' house.  I worked at a company called Tranti Systems.   It was a good job.   one day, my mother told my older sister and I we had to pay more rent money or get out and we had till October.  So, I found a couple of girls who were looking for an apartment.  We decided to move in together in a two bedroom.  (I got the single room while they shared a room).   I was the first one to move into the apartment.  as I was moving in there was a handsome man holding the door open for me.  We met later on at my apartment and the girls and I and other neighbors in the apartment all played monopoly ...  and that is how I met your father.  We started dating soon after. What’s the hardest thing about raising children?  Not knowing what I was doing.  trying hard to raise my kids differently than how I was raised.  Tell me about the day I was born.  Jen:  Dad had a very important meeting on 9/13... it was a Tuesday.    His boss told him he needed to be there.  haha.   I had some light contractions and was tired.  I went to bed around 8 or 9 pm on Monday night.   I was not in the room for very long when my water broke.  I was scared!  Your dad and I grabbed the bag I packed, and he took me on the 45 min drive to Lowell hospital, I think it was St Johns.   You were born on Tuesday morning; the doctor delivered you using forceps.  I had an epidural.   you were handed to me and you were as beautiful as you are now.  ............................................................................................................. TJ:  Saturday morning, terry went off to work. we lived at 651/2 north end boulevard in Sailsbury mass.   Mid-Summer.  My contractions started around 9 am. called terry and my parents.  Terry got to the house around 10 am, we drove to the Anna Jaques, my friend stayed with Jen till my parents came.  tj was born at 11:45 am.    Ben:      What did you want to be when you were growing up?  I wanted to design windows at different stores.  and I loved that my grandmother wanted to have a bed and breakfast or a run a hotel with my grandfather, I still would love to run a B&B.  not a hotel. ha-ha.     If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be and why?  Well, I think i would have saved my money ... had a nest egg.  taught my kids how to save money.    What is one thing you know to be true?   What were you going to name me if I was the opposite sex?  Jenifr would have been Terrence, Tj.  would have been Sarah.  Ben, well, no name chosen.  Sarah would have been William Who was your first girlfriend/boyfriend? blah What was your favorite band growing up?  Jim Croce  What was your first car?  dodge dart What are your fears? What do you think the greatest invention has been during your lifetime?  computer, changed the world Did you ever get arrested? If not, what did you do that you should have been arrested for?  No.   How much money does a person need to love life? What is your most embarrassing moment? What was the best gift I ever gave you? How would others describe you in middle school, high school and/or college? How many times were you in love? Were your parents strict? Was your Mom or Dad the strictest? What are the 3 happiest times in your life? If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? Do you think money can buy happiness? What did I do as a child that frustrated you and what did I do that you loved? What is your dream job? If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be? What’s the hardest/easiest thing about being an adult? If your life was a reality show, what would it be called? Describe a moment in American history that you will never forget. What do you like/dislike about your generation? What is your wish for your children/grandchildren? Who is someone you admire? Why?

 Once you have your answers, be sure to document and share your stories on Ancestry^®.