No Electricity

Right before half time during the Steelers game Sunday night, our power went out. It was one of those times when the power blinked, came back on, lights dimmed and it blinked once more before going out. It was hot, humid and I sat in my living room in total darkness swearing because I couldn't see the rest of the game. I even texted a friend who kept me up-to-date on the score. The power remained off until 2:00 p.m. today. During that time, I couldn't do much of anything. Because of the quiet, I was able to think about all of the people who lose their homes, families and lives because of natural disasters. We all watch CNN and "see" everything happening but I cannot even begin to imagine the trauma and hell that they go through. I felt very, very lucky that the only inconvenience I had after a wind storm was the loss of electricity. We should all count our blessings.

"Jim and Jo"

My husband's side of the family is notoriously loud. I don't mean a little loud ... they are very loud. When there are family get-togethers, you almost need earplugs. My father-in-law is now hard of hearing so the "normal way of speaking" is to yell.

As my husband and I venture into our senior years, we often laugh about how we are becoming the new "Jim and Jo" of the family. For instance, last year he wanted me to cook venison for him for dinner. Now I do not like hunting, will not eat it but will cook it for him on occasion. I had told him to get some from the downstairs freezer for me to cook. I was upstairs later that evening and yelled down the stairs, "Alan did you get the venison?" He yelled back, "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat ???? Did I take my medicine?"

Something tells me that we are seriously the new "Jim and Jo".

An All Around Good Gal

My oldest son is engaged to a wonderful girl named Karrie. Over the last year or so, I've watched how happy she has made my son and what a great girl she is to his three children. Karrie also has three children of her own so it was a challenge for the both of them to adapt to six kids. And, yes, they have heard all of the "Brady Bunch" jokes. Alan and I were invited to a picnic she had for her family. Sitting back watching her, I saw the devotion she has to her family. From her parents to her elderly grandfather, she was caring and attentive to each family member. She is such a blessing to our family. We welcome her with open arms to the Slapinski family.