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September 17, 2008

KEPPELER: That was then — this is now

By Jill Keppeler/keppelerj@gnnewspaper.com The Tonawanda News Wed Sep 17, 2008, 11:48 PM EDT

Once upon a time, back in 2000 to 2002 or so, a person by the name of Jill Morrison wrote a column that sometimes appeared on this page.

I am not that person.

That person was single, didn’t have a mortgage, or any utility bills beyond those for a tiny apartment. Her greatest responsibility was a neurotic Siamese. She must have had a lot of time — although it didn’t feel that way.

I’m not that person — for one thing, I get a lot less sleep.

However, I’m richer by a husband, two sons — 3 years and 2 months — a house and all the stress and satisfaction that entails. It’s undoubtedly going to change the way I write, because it’s changed the way I live.

I can’t extol the virtues of all-night businesses anymore, the way I did back in my first column back in 2000 when I was a night owl working 5 to 1. Today, I’m likely to be asleep as soon as possible after the kids are (or at least wanting to be). On the other hand, now I have all sorts of new skills, like typing one-handed while holding a sleeping baby and reading the mind of a bored preschooler five seconds before he decides it would be fun to swing from the dining-room light fixture.

I didn’t grow up in the Tonawandas — I’m a Cattaraugus County girl — but I’ve lived here for the past seven years, four as a home-owner. Like everyone else out there, I’m staring down an increasing grocery bill (petrified of the time when I’ll have two teenage boys to feed), climbing fuel prices and health insurance costs. I’ve seen friends and family members leave Western New York in droves, and I probably would have followed in their footsteps if I hadn’t married a committed Buffalonian.

I’m happier to stay here, though. I’ve lived in four counties of Western New York, and I’m familiar with the joys that only this area can deliver. As in:

• The intense Monday-morning euphoria after the Bills win. The air of commiseration after they lose. I’m sure people in other areas love their football teams, but no one’s weathered more heartache — and kept going — than Bills fans.

Ditto for the Sabres. As far as adoration of hockey goes, this area might well be Canadian. (And that’s a good thing, for the beer alone. Now, if only we had their health-care ...)

• The weather: Yes, this is a good thing. We have a gorgeous autumn season — my favorite time of year — and there’s even a certain charm in seeing that first real snowfall of the winter (as long as it’s not in October.)

Of course, there’s also a smug satisfaction in being tough enough to weather a Buffalo winter, October surprises and other catastrophes taken in stride. A friend of mine who now lives in Alabama reports a crisis every time a sprinkle of snow hits the street. Wimps.

• We do have cool things for families here. The past few months alone, we’ve taken our kids to the Olcott carousel park (and the Celtic festival), the Buffalo zoo, the Erie County Fair, the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, the Strong museum in nearby Rochester and any number of parks. The upcoming month or two will, if we’re lucky, include trips to various local fall festivals and events.

Of course, like any area, we have our problems. Ask anyone who’s trying to find a job.

I’m concerned about taxes, but I worry about services, too, especially as a parent of a special-needs child. My kids will be going through the public school system and I want them to have the best education they can get. Skimping on that only drives even more people out of the area.

But more on that later ...

I doubt I’ll write about politics much — plenty of people here have plenty to say on that topic already — but if you want to read some thoughts what it’s really like raising a family and getting by in the Tonawandas, I’m your gal.

See you next week.

Jill Keppeler is a page designer for the Tonawanda News. Her column appears Thursdays. Contact her at keppelerj@gnnewspaper.com

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