Part II All of Me “Scrapbook”
All of Me: Is written or told as a “Scrapbook” style of writing…
People may ask why I wrote two books although I consider them one and nothing more than an extension of each other. As a parent I wanted to tell a story. One that may have not been told and at the same time leave some records and memories that may have been forgotten. In the first part I wrote mostly from the viewpoint of Danny Stefano and you may have realized part of my personality and traits from those stories. In this part I write as myself Dennis L. Stafford and do not tell a story but in pictures leave the story up to the readers. My viewpoints are no longer expressed and I try to communicate with the audience what may be determined by viewing a picture and a simple description.
To help you understand perhaps why I did this from two points of view, let me first explain how a Gemini mind works. Although there is no really simple explanation it goes something like this.
“The constellation of Gemini depicts a set of twins, Castor and Polydeuces. It is from this that the zodiac draws the archetypal Gemini sign. Gemini is the legendary dualistic sign of the zodiac and is rumored to have almost a split persona, thus channeling the twin depiction. However, this dualism isn’t as simple as a personality split. Oftentimes, what is believed by others to be a dual personality is really a discrepancy between how the Gemini would like to be seen, and how he really is.”
Of course you could find much more about this trait as in all others, but I did realize in life I had many self-conflicts and to this day feel it was due to the dueling personalities in me. Not to say any more than that. It would take a Gemini to understand. At least one of them would. Please remember that I still have my sense of humor, although not perfect just a part of me…
While writing part I, I tried to share it with many of our relatives, but had trouble with the format of the book and getting people to install it was difficult. I later changed the format to make it easier, but feel many people were then discouraged. By the year 2013 Steve Mistretta read it and gave the writing a jump! He placed a version of the story on the internet to make it easier for all of us to get to. It will contain parts I (Rest of Me) and II (All of Me).
It will also contain part III (All of YOU) a blog where we can interact with each other and help us to make corrections. Still the disc will probably be the most complete as it shows how it was written along with the music that filled my life. To this day I am not sure how far the book will go or who will ever read it, but know I did something that I wanted to do and never had the time or the experience to do it, just did!
Today in this world people communicate much more than ever. Blogs, Facebook, and other social media sites make it easy to stay in touch with each other. Although I consider them great in a world now that is separated by distance but close, in electronics I would rather see people communicating with each other on a personal basis. Since this aspect moved out of my life years before I thought it would I thought written words and their history would help us stay connected through time.
Again never written much more than a paragraph at a time or even a short story, I am not sure how I tackled this but know it was something I wanted to do. Back in my mind I feel that perhaps one day we will all get together to celebrate. This way may be the closet way possible. Guess fate had it for Steve and I to connect again after so many years. Somehow this connection led us to an internet version where all of us can come together again. So with so many thanks do I give Steve credit for his hard work.
Part II will be developed in time, with much of it taking place from the 1970′s to the present. I have not really decided on how to format the story other than how I have described it from above. Perhaps staying under the “Scrapbook” title.
The format that I will probably start off with will be what I call “Scrapbook”. A collection of pictures that one would find in any family album, I feel this would perhaps be the easiest way for me to continue.
Part III is the latest portion of the story that (With Steve Mistretta’s creation) we can all join in on the blog he has created for “All of You!”
Should anyone want a disc copy please email me at:
Seaside305 at gmail dot com
Thanks for reading,
As in real life, seldom do we have time to keep a timeline of events or pictures, even with the best intentions.
We usually begin with our first child and as time progresses we find that there are just so many more things in life that take our time. So with that thought, you will find the pictures here at random, out of context, and out of order. So as in life, so will be the format of this page.
They will be described to the best of my ability due to so much time has passed.
Dennis N. at Manor Oak Dr. Me and Gina during Christmas.
Notice patio and boat in backyard
Scotty’s Birthday at Chuckie Gina, Papaw,me Mema, &
Cheese 9-4-81 Dennis N.Stafford
There were never better times like going out on the boat. I was in my corner of the world and had happiness right next to me!
Bonnie Bobbi, Pollie and Johnny
Dad, Dennis, and Gina playing in the snow in North Carolina. What fun we had!
Dennis N. skiing at Cypress Gardens, FL.I remember when he was older he ran over an alligator and I told him hold on and keep going!
Not a double take, but a double D! Enjoy these special moments as they pass so quickly.
Dennis &
Gina, Christmas time!
Bear does his magic!
Carol and Gisela after dinner…
Carolyn Hart Clothing
Sheryl,Carol and Pricilla at a party.
Tommy, Joe, Dennis, Gina, Carol, and Gisela at Epcot.
This scrapbook picture shows Dominic, Grace, Nonno and Nonna and the house we loved growing up. It may be the only picture that shows it although it is not a great one.
Uncle John’s family, Aunt Francis and Nonna with a 2nd picture of the house they lived in. As you look at the yard, you can see how much Nonno loved his plants and flowers.
Beech Mountain, North Carolina
Gina sent this postcard from North Carolina when we went skiing with Joe, Gisela and Tommy. We had a great time and I remember a story that may be funny now but was not then. I had told Joe and Gisela I would take Gina and Tommy ice skating at night and would be very careful with them. Would you know it, Tommy ended up splitting his head when he fell and I never heard the end of it!
Christmas Card from Uncle Dominic and Ann
Bonnie, Johnnie, Bobbie, Pollie
A salute for our family members that helped our country!
Meme and Grace,
Dad (V.W.Stafford) in Germany 1945
50 years ago I was at home with John Gallo as we missed school that day. While watching television we learned of JFK’s assassination! This was an unselfish man who reinforced a lesson I learned as a child. He put it another way by saying, “Ask not what your nation can do for you, but what you can do for your nation.” This lesson should be used in life in everything you do. 11/22/13
Famiglia in the 60’s
Moving up the the year 2013:
Lily, Gina and Bode working on Thanksgiving art then we watched a Barbie Christmas Movie Gina had purchased.
Daisy, (our little girl) is growing up so fast in front of us. Daisy Flomberg is shown with her dance costume on at the high school. It seems like yesterday, Gina was her age. Gina and Bruce have certainly done a great job in their school preparation for all their children.
Emre turns 13 today. Gina and Bruce now have three teens in the household! 12/5/13
Scrapbook