“I found myself laughing and crying, often simultaneously! What an incredible story! I found myself thinking about the characters long after finishing this book. Highly Recommended!” — Shelley Cummings, distributor sales development manager for Ecolab Inc.

Barb and Ellie feel as if they’re “stuck in the onesies,” like in the game of jacks. Well, they might be playing catch-up, but at least they’re having fun.

Purchase Here Purchase Audio Book

 

If you’ve ever played the game of jacks, you know that if you get stuck in the onesies, you’re forever playing catch up. Stuck in the Onesies is loosely based on a true story. You’ll fall in love with Barb and Ellie, two real-life Donna Reed era moms raising kids and husbands during the tumultuous 60’s in the suburbs of Washington, DC. It’s the story of their relationship, and how they evolved along with the times without intentionally taking part in the bra-burning activities that swirled around them.

The issues of the 1960s are intertwined, racism, women’s rights, the Viet Nam war, just to name a few. Southern roots ran deep and in the ‘60’s, those roots were dug up and exposed. The story shows our nation’s evolution through its characters as well as the events of the decade.

Stuck in the Onesies will help you to understand the struggles on both sides and how as a society, we tried to bring equality to everyone. Sometimes succeeding, and sometimes not.

“The characters are basically kind of polar opposites when it comes to political views (In Stuck in the Onesies),” McDonough said. “One is from the deep south and one’s from [Washington], D.C. So, it shows their evolution over the course of many years, from how things change in their minds and their thoughts with regards to racism and women’s rights. Basically, they’re trying to become independent women without burning their bras.”

Here is the original ‘Tensies’ from “Stuck in the Onesies,” Barb, Ellie, and Darlene. Darlene is still with us, aka, Betty Bergquist of Georgetown, Delaware). The Tensies were in Cherry Hill, New Jersey for a Tom Jones concert, true groupies that they were.

Diana holding the arm of Betty Bergquist, aka Darlene in SITO. Betty attends book signings when she can.

{ Excerpt }

Getting stuck in onesies is lethal to a jacks player. It’s considered the easiest step, and if you don’t sail right through it the first time, you play catch-up for the rest of the game.

“Stuck in the onesies, huh?” Ellie asked.

“Yeah, kinda like getting behind in the laundry. You go one day without hanging something on the line, and you’re forever playing catch-up.” I scooped up the rest of the jacks and handed them to Ellie.

“Yeah, I know what you mean. The last time I caught up on laundry, I think Truman was still president.”

Ellie uncrossed her legs and knelt down on the floor. She sailed through the onesies and got all the way to fivesies before she goofed. In no time, she’d whooped us all. I was determined to learn to be as coordinated as her, but it was apparent that it was going to take some practice.

“You’re the champ for now,” I said. “But just wait until Karen and I get some practice under our belts.” I tossed the jacks to take a practice turn.

It had been a long time since Karen and I had sat on the kitchen floor to play. I made a private promise to myself to spend more time just playing with her. Since Roy had come along, there just never seemed to be enough time. Not that I’d been all that good about getting down on her level before that. I promised myself I’d do better.