Our Little Family

Sometimes it feels like the house in Alpaugh is home to a large, dysfunctional family. First we have Grandpa, Age 31. He sleeps in the living room because he is woken up easily (although he snores like the whirring of a tractor motor.) Although friendly, he often gets grumpy in the afternoons if he hasn’t had his 4 pm nap. His time to shine is during board games or charade type games, where he is goofy and good-natured. He likes his meals cooked his own way, and often makes his own evening meal.

Next is age 22 to 23, or middle-aged adults. These folks clean up after themselves, put the utility of the team before their own happiness, and work hard during the day. They work out problems amongst the children, monitoring their behavior and reprimanding that which is intolerable. Although fun to be around, they can often be spotted sneaking off to bed before the others, preferring a good night’s rest to a sleep deprived morning.

Then there is the 21 year-old, the eldest step-daughter of the home. Slightly deranged and prone to blow up on any one person at any given time, this quarrelsome lass enjoys the drama of a good diatribe. Not keen on reciprocation of one of these tirades, she often becomes extremely emotional once actually confronted. Extremely fastidious, she wants everything her way, and anything not done in this manner receives a loathing look. Although accepted as a family member, she constantly feels like she doesn’t belong in the house and longs for something bigger and better, whatever that may be.

Finally, there are the little tykes, the 18 year-olds who act as children of the family. Too young to appreciate what a nice home they have and loving family they are blessed to be a part of, they rebel against any authority, going out of their way to be deviant. They do not believe it necessary to clean up after themselves, and do not spearhead anything but mischief. Rarely anything but complaints are heard from their mouths. This standard holds true for all except one, the youngest child, who is too naïve to misbehave, and realizes that her attention is granted through exceptional behavior, top quality moral values, and dejected puppy dog faces.