Introduction

My name is Pat and this blog is an attempt to share some of the crazy events that led to my present life. Contrary to what my kids and grandchildren believe, I started out as a child. I came into the world the third child and third daughter of a family that eventually grew to six girls and three boys, keeping my parents laughing, crying, happy, mad or busy in general for the rest of their lives.

I came upon the name for this blog shortly after my Dad passed away. When my family was together after the memorial, we were talking about "dad-isms" and the unique phrases my Dad used frequently. Our family went out to dinner in nice restaurants quite often, even when most of us were very small. When we arrived at the door of a restaurant, my father would request a table for "ten plus a highchair." This went on for several years. That phrase always made me feel happy and proud of our family. So it became the title for this blog.

So how does a family with nine children keep things normal? First off, my Mom always said she had nine "only children". And she was right - we are all completely different in our temperament, likes and dislikes, professions and politics. As adults, we are somewhat connected by our differences, and there's usually someone to see your point of view or help with a difficult job. But as kids - well, put it this way - I don't know how my parents (Mom in particular) did it.

Today we are scattered through several states, but Mom & Dad were somehow able to instill a strong sense of Family in all of us. Although some of us may not see each other or gab on the phone regularly, when we connect, it's like we never separated.  We still know how to make each other laugh, as well as push each other's buttons.  The people who became our spouses are saints, none more than my own wonderful husband of 37 years.

So in the days to come, I will relay what I know about living in a large family, the funny things we did, the questions I hope someday to find answers to, and how I became the outgoing, outspoken, get it done, karaoke singing person I am today.