Browsing: Lifestyle

This is what he understands: He was chosen; he has two birthdays (he brings cupcakes to school on his birthday and cookies on his “gotcha day”); he didn’t have to get stuck with my short, nonathletic genes; he gets to celebrate both Mother’s Day and Birth Mother’s Day (the day before Mother’s Day); and he’s loved within an inch of his life by not only his adoptive family, but by his birth mother and her family.

Community Organizing and Family Issues members and parents Dexter Leggin and Rosalia Salgado, at Melody Elementary School in Chicago on March 21, 2022. COFI received $2 million from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to advance the group’s work in building the leadership, power and voice of low-income parents to fight for equity on behalf of their children and families. (Vincent D. Johnson/for the Chicago Tribune)

Explain in very simple language what happened, i.e., “At the end of our business lunch, when I extended my hand to shake his, Mr. Smith pulled me toward him and kissed me on the lips. I was shocked at the time, and upon reflection continue to be concerned about his conduct. In my experience consulting for this organization, I have always conducted myself professionally and until now have always been treated with professionalism, and respect.”

“I’ve been told that when they first came in, they were a little drawn back — obviously coming into a police station, you don’t know what to expect,” Edwards said “Since that date, now they come in and are like ‘Hey, we’re here!’ They feel a lot more comfortable, which is great not only in the building, but comfortable with the officers and interacting with them, which again, that’s great for us. Because of that interaction with them, we’ve been able to tell them about youth programs that we offer here in the 12th District. Developing their partnership, that relationship with them is beneficial for us too,”

“It’s unsightly, but it’s not usually a disaster,” Janoski said. “Generally, hardy plants can grow new leaves to take over the job the damaged leaves were doing.” Often, premature sprouters are bulb plants, such as daffodils. “Even if some leaves are damaged, the flowers are usually protected inside buds,” she said.

Newlyweds, before you decide to change your name, list every card in your wallet. Then list every email address you have; every online shopping account; every organization you belong to; review bank accounts, and list vendors for your bills; then collect every legal document that you have for your home, car, insurance, etc. That is how many companies you need to contact to change your name.

Samina Hadi-Tabassum, from left, walks with 12-year-old twins, Yusef and Salma, as they depart for school on March 16, 2022, in Oak Park. Hadi-Tabassum said she has taken mental health days herself, and has advocated for her children to take days as needed, too. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

You suggested that Madison be “completely upfront” with her friends – OK, good start – then you counseled her to weasel out and blame her grandparents – the old fogies. Yikes! Young people who have “multiple large tattoos on their arms, chest and back” in all probability don’t care what their own grandparents think, let alone someone else’s. Stating as certainty that the bride’s grandparents “will be freaked out” by her friends’ body ink is disingenuous.

Also from her memoir: “I’ve been a bag girl in a grocery store, computer demonstrator, runway model, auto show commentator, disc jockey, newscaster, radio and TV talk show host, editorial spokesperson, mistress/master of ceremonies, broadcast administrator, AARP Illinois state president, commissioner on the Illinois Human Rights Commission, U.S. Army ambassador, successful fundraiser, adoption advocate, children’s champion and one of Chicago’s first African American females in the broadcast business.”

Rather than allow her to create discord, focus on removing her access to combustible material. If discussing your baby’s name always leads you down the same path, then stop discussing it. You just say, “Well, we haven’t decided on a name, but we know your preference.”