Time is the Best Gift

Have you ever felt guilty for "doing good"? I'm a care partner volunteer through the United Way for families living with Alzheimers. There are two lovely gentlemen, neighbors, who are on this journey together. They and their wives have been living with this for a long time. The wives are their primary caregivers - 24/7 without relief. I'm going to give them a break for 3 hours each Saturday. The guys and I are going to hang out, play cards or checkers, go for walks - whatever they're up for.

The wives will be able to use the 3 hours to do something they don't normally get to do....like visit with their grandchildren, get their hair done, shop without having to worry about hubby wandering off, going for a drive on their own so they can scream if they want to! Things we take for granted every day. They're also grateful to have someone new to talk with - and their stories are so interesting.

I feel guilty hearing their gratitude - getting to make their day makes me feel like a million dollars - I think I'm actually getting more out of this than they are....

Please give someone your time today...even if it's just 5 minutes of undivided attention. You'll make yourself feel better at the same time.

Wiinjuries are Wiilly Worth It!

On my last birthday, I bought a Wii. Hmm, you might say, a middle-aged woman bought herself a video game for her birthday? -- Loser!!!

Not so! I actually bought the gift of time with my family. Lets face it, once the "kids" become adults, they have very little time for ole Mom and Dad. That's okay, they should be out blazing trails toward their future lives. It just makes the time we do get to spend together that much more special.

...and if you find a way to increase the frequency and volume of that together time.....well, I say "all's fair in love and war". And I love my kids!

The Wii brings the kids home - with or without their loves - at least three times per month. We had so much fun this past weekend; hours of bowling, tennis, Wii fit, etc. Some weekends it's American Idol or Guitar Hero. But each time, it brings laughter and closeness.

Who knew, though, that you could get sore shoulders, laryngitis, aching muscles, etc. from virtual activities!? And who knew that there's a term for these "injuries"? We thought we were being clever by complaining about our "wiinjuries"...until I googled it and found 1,440 listings for this term!

Wii is revolutionizing the language!

Wii is revolutionizing my family dynamics!

I've got a corner of my kids' time...and I'm wiilly, wiilly grateful.

Rob Bennett Saves the Day

Erieites are the greatest, folks!

I'm moving into a new office on Friday....and in planning the decorations it occurred to me that I could show off my beloved Erie. I searched the Web and found a FABULOUS site for photographs and prints - www.lakeshore-landscapes.com. Rob Bennett offers beautiful photographs of and around the Erie area. Check it out! Even if you're not interested in the city, or have never been there, you'll find beautiful shots that you can use for your home or office.

Rob is wonderful. I contacted him and explained my desire to get the prints to hang in time for visitors that will be here on Monday. I've told them so much about my hometown...they think I'm just "crazy for Erie"! Now, I'll have the proof. Anyway, not only did Rob respond immediately, he figured out how to make it happen, even taking his lunch hour to get the prints to the post office. Did I mention that he did all this without payment up front? He's trusting me to get a check in the mail (Rob, if you're reading - I mailed it this evening!).

Rob represents the spirit of Erie -- can-do attitude, generous, giving, neighborly.

See for yourself; go to www.lakeshore-landscapes.com!