Hello

If I had a photo taken within the last few days, which I don't because our camera died, it would be of snow and more snow. From what I understand, that seems to be the case nearly everywhere in the US- even in places that don't generally have any snow at all! The one advantage to having all these snow storms is that the world gets slower and quieter. Everyone is forced to stay home more so those of us who actually LIKE to be home don't have to feel so guilty that we are not out running and doing. I have managed to get lots of sorting and cleaning done which I don't always have or take the time to do. I am, admittedly, tired of the cold and snow and I really don't want to spend any more money on heating bills. However, I have not yet gotten everything in the kind of order that I would like. There are times when the passage of time is such a blessing. There are so many details to our life and the lives of loved ones that are just hanging. The waiting could drive us all crazy! So we find things to do and keep taking a day at a time and try to figure out what is most important. Looking through old photo albums and old posts on this blogspot remind me of what is most important. I have lots more photos in my memory or friends who continue to enrich my life. I'm grateful.

Financial education

Earlier, I posted photos of the cars we got when setting up a limousine business. We were hopeful that it would bring in some extra money to augment Russ's pension. It has been difficult/impossible for him to get steady work that wasn't too physically demanding than he can do as a healthy, but over 60-year old man. The man we looked to as a knowledgeable partner has turned out to be something different than he had initially presented himself to be. I can't ever say that we should "learn" not to trust people. I know too many wonderful people that I know I can trust. I don't know what we have learned. I guess, if nothing else, we are becoming stronger in being able to withstand adversity. We haven't had to declare bankrupcy yet but it is an impending option and not at all what we would ever have chosen. Knowing that our financial position is directly due to the choices of someone else is giving us more sympathy for others who may be in financial straits. True, some people just choose to consume more than they produce. But I'm sure there are others who end up being liable for the over-consumption of someone else and are the end-of -the-line for financial responsibility. There are people who have had a family member misuse a credit card or a crooked contractor escape with funds that didn't get the job done (that has happened to us here in Dayton, too, but not beyond what we could cover). I guess maybe these times are just plain tough. We just have to know for ourselves that we are honest, fair, trustworthy people and forge ahead in whatever way we can. I can truly say that I am thankful to have a roof over my head, food in my belly, and shoes on my feet. I am also thankful to have been born in a country where I am free to work my way up, fall, and work up again.

43 Years ago

In the family in which I grew up, we were allowed to have a really big blow-out party for our 16th birthday. I happily took advantage of that. I have always enjoyed parties. As I think back, I am awed and grateful for the patience my parents had (mostly my mother) in allowing this big bash. We didn't do anything terribly wild and definitely not destructive. However, in order to allow the crowd of people I chose to invite, all of the living room furniture was moved out to the garage and we had the room to just mingle and dance in. Facing the camera is my cousin Jean. I am sideways to the camera, talking to my future husband who is sitting on the floor. I believe the long-haired head in the background is my future sister-in-law, Susie.

As I have wandered through my memory, I remember what a happy, excited person I was. Sometimes I was also prone to deep despair, as teenage girls are often wont to do. I guess I'm still basically a happy person but my emotions have, thankfully, evened out a little over the years so I'm no longer riding such a roller coaster of reactions to daily events. This was a good party. I'm glad for the memory