These are actual short stories found in Shirley's archives.  They are transcribed just as she wrote them with nothing added and no grammar or punctuation changes.  These were not edited in any way because we decided that Shirley's actual thoughts and manner of writing would provide greater impact.

Before we begin, a little background is needed.  The dates that you see here are the actual dates found on Shirley's notes. 

Shirley did baby-sitting while I worked 2 jobs so I didn't get to experience all the things that Shirley experienced.  Young couples, even those married for a few years, have "economic challenges".  We were still young and had our own 4 children - Karen, Jimmy, David and Matthew.  Two of the boys, David and Matthew, are twins and they would have been just over 2 years old at the time this was written - so use your imagination.  If Shirley were here, she would tell you that they were quite an experience!

A Typical Week

10/12/83

After dinner twins put toothpaste on hairbrush, dip it in toilet and brush their hair.  Results:  hair full of toothpaste, shirts and floor soaked and wet toilet paper everywhere.  Twins back to den.  Finish dishes.

Bath time:  twins in tub.  Phone rings.  Karen watches twins while Mom discusses school Halloween party over phone.  Twins fill toys with water and dump it on floor and Karen.  Another flood and Karen soaked too.

Everyone dressed and into living room to watch TV.  Jimmy falls asleep on floor.  David pulls lamp over and narrowly misses Jimmy’s head but lands on his arm.  Another broken lamp and Jimmy cries.

While taking care of Jimmy:

Matt pulls over coat rack and knocks a hole in wall.  David wanders off to kitchen to play at sink.  Another flood!  Matt finds a pen and scribbles on everything in sight.  Spankings for both!  That’s it – Bedtime!  “But what about our snack and story,” Fuss, fuss.

OK everyone at table.  Jimmy “I don’t like them cookies.  I want an apple.”  Fix apple.  “I don’t want an apple.  I want cookies like them.”  “But you don’t like those.”  “I changed my mind.”  Everyone else wants apples now.

Matt spills milk on book.  Clean up.  David spills milk.  Clean up.  To speed things up begin to read story.  David grabs Karen’s drink and pours it into his cup – of course spilling it.  David to bed.  Matt spills Jimmy’s drink.  Matt to bed.  Karen and Jimmy to bed too.  Time for “drink of water ritual”.  Jimmy “I didn’t brush my teeth.  I want to do it now.”  Matt climbs out.  Spanking, crying and back in.  Repeat at least 10 times.  Jimmy “they’re keeping me awake!”  Karen and Mom work on math problems.  All is quiet.  Karen to bed.  Peak in.  Matt up playing.  One more spanking does it.

All quiet again.  Could it really be?  Yes, just look at those sleeping angels.  So quiet, so peaceful, so innocent and best of all – mine!

10/14/83

While Jimmy is dressing, David spies half eaten bowl of oatmeal.  Needs something though.  Look in pantry.  Meat tenderizer should do it.  Only half the jar sprinkled on when caught by Mom.  Rats - foiled again.

Hurry, Miss Eileen has offered to keep all while Mom runs errands and decorates for Karen’s party.  Mom savors the day.  Amazing what can be accomplished without so much help.

3:00 Time for party.  All goes well considering David is hanging onto Mom’s leg, Jimmy is upset that potato won’t stay on the spoon and nine kids all want to be first.

Kristen spends the night.  Karen and Kristen are taking baths.  Jimmy knocks on bathroom door.  “Hurry up cause Matt has his diaper off and poop everywhere.” What!  Run to den.

Don’t panic.  David has it all under control.  Matt is on his hands and knees with behind in air.  Davis is cleaning him with the washcloth used on last spill.  Too big a job for Bounty – both to tub.  Could have been worse.  Remember the time Jimmy forgot to flush the toilet and they dipped out nuggets and redecorated the blue bathroom in warm brown earth tones.

Hey guys, I’m thankful you’re healthy enough to do all these things but could you tone it down a little!

10/15/83

Saturday morning skating.  After nearly killing Mom the first three Saturdays, Jimmy is skating on his won.  “Oops Jimmy, that was your first fall today”.  With innocent determination, he replies “and the last!”  Karen is proud of her new Strawberry Shortcake skates and only two falls.

Back home.  Dad says look in sink.  A whole dozen broken eggs.  They’ve been at it again.  Where are those little twerps?  Well, David is barricaded in the bedroom with a 200’ roll of Saran wrap.  Only half off the roll and Mom spoils the fun again.

After dinner, Uncle Tim takes Karen out to look for birthday present.  Dad decides to switch bedrooms.  Jimmy and twins are diligently helping Dad take beds apart.  Spoilsport Mom enters.  Twins to den – screaming.  Dad finishes, somehow without their help.  Boys are impressed by their big new bedroom but still don’t want to go to bed.

10/16/83

Today is really Karen’s birthday and everyone is coming to her birthday dinner.  Mom is busy making lasagna and taco salad.  Dad is watching twins as he and Uncle Chris play with computer.  Ut oh!  Matt gets spanked and put in den for scribbling on wallpaper.  David follows.  Both scream.  Poor wallpaper.  It’s been patched and scrubbed so many times.  Will it survive?  Will Mom and Dad?

Twins wander out backdoor.  Door left open.  Come on in flies!  Great!  Our unsuspecting neighbors are babysitting again.  Matt and Dave stare intently through fence as neighbors unload dirt from the pick up truck to the back yard.  Keep on shoveling until Mom finishes lasagna.    Thanks neighbors!  Lasagna finished just in time.  Everyone is here.  Dinner goes well and Karen opens her presents.  She has a very nice birthday.  Matt and Dave claim her Raggedy Ann and Andy.

With all these eyes around, Matt and Dave find it difficult to get into trouble – not that they don’t try.  They are impressed with their little cousins and are on pretty good behavior.

The boys burn off their energy by wearing out Uncle Pat.  No naps.  Maybe they’ll sleep tonight.

Up only once during night.  Drink of water and back to bed.  Sleepless nights of not long ago are only a vague memory now.  What a relief.

10/17/83

Note: When the twins were young, we had a gate between the kitchen and the den so that we could keep them in 1 room - for obvious reasons!

Julie has just gotten here.  Mom enjoys watching the boys play so well with her.  All three are so quiet and gentle – a refreshing change.  They keep her supplied with toys.  The twins take turns sitting on Mom’s lap giving bear hugs and tackling from behind.  It is an enjoyable morning.

Julie has gone and twins are at gate screaming to get in.  Jimmy is screaming back at them to shut up.  It gets louder and louder, time for lunch.  Open gate.  Off and running.  Whoa!  Up to table.  Don’t have time to eat.  Matt jumps down and runs down hall.  Trips and hurts his toe.  Only a paper towel will help.  Yanks off about five – Mom gives him one.  Starts to climb up to sink but Mom has already wet it!  Ah!  A wet paper towel cures all.  In the meantime, David has been taste testing apples.  A bite out of each one.  Matt takes a sip of milk and throws rest in sink.  David has climbed up and is talking on phone.  Has he actually called someone again?  No, just a dial tone.  Still wondering if the last time was long distance.  Matt thinks it is his turn to talk now.  Both out to den.  Lunch is still on table.  Twins scream and Mom retreats to back of house.  A new record.  Pushed Mom to brink of insanity in less than ten minutes.  Soon all is quiet.  The little angels are stretched out on the floor, sound asleep.  How could anyone ever get upset with them!

Jimmy enjoys the peace and quiet.  A good time for Lights Alive.  A few games of Tic Tac Toe and then he does his artwork – ostriches, Indians and goats.

Twins wake up in good mood but somehow all goes downhill.  Both are crying when Dad leaves for work.  Forget the dishes.  Maybe baths will help.  Not brave enough to do both together tonight.  Matt first, then Dave.  Already dark.  Maybe with the lights out the darkness will keep them confined to living room.  With night vision of an owl, David manages to find a glass of tea and one of milk.  As he enters living room he mixes them.  Only a little spill and one glass of glop.  Snack time is a disaster.

Lord give me strength.  So many times I’ve said that and you always come through – a cute little smile, a cuddly hug.