Update

Just to let you know, I have been diverted from my normal routine. I started to write about Memorial Day over a week ago. It's not my most pleasant story as I was one of ten who was drafted out of a University as a test case for Viet Nam.

Then, a dear friend Jerry, who had a pacemaker put into his heart last December, suddenly fell ill earlier this week at lunch. He has been a close friend of Judy and her family since she was a teenager. Jerry was told to call 9-1-1 and get an ambulance. He was rushed to Alexandria Hospital and his pacemaker went off in the ambulance. He was put under, and the doctors took a day and a half to get his heart restabilized. He is awake now.

Next week, Jerry will have a procedure done at Fairfax Hospital. It's called an ablasion. They are going to try to get the electrical signal working correctly to his heart. He is scared. The doctors have told him he can go home and report to Fairfax next Wednesday. He declined to leave the hospital. I'm not kidding when I tell you he's terrified.

My brother-in-law Lou and I will be spending a lot of time with Jerry. We both live more than an hour away both hospitals. On the other hand, when a friend needs you this bad, you go and you stay.

I hope you will forgive me if I disappear for a while. I need to study for an exam I must take by June 26th, Jerry is in serious shape as one needs a functioning heart to live, and I seem to be devoid of blogable thoughts. I am taking my books with me, and letting Jake bite me a couple of times before heading out into rush hour. See you as soon as I can! I hope all is well with you!

Post Party Depression

Last Friday, Judy and I drove to Richmond to visit Spellbound and her family. We had so much fun for the entire weekend that we are now suffering from post party depression. It is incredible that something we had looked forward to for so long has come and gone at the speed of light.

We got to know Spellbound's husband Wrenn, we met Brook from North Carolina and her husband Derek, along with her daughter Evelyn, and Judy got to meet M@ of Animalmind who drove in from Arlington. We comprised a core of bloggers who stayed at Spellbound's home for the weekend, and partyed.

Spellbound's daughter also had some friends over, and what ensued was one of the funniest, most entertaining evenings I have ever spent. I will post more about the party later, along with some pictures. This post is to let you know I/we are back and trying to return to normal after having had a fabulous vacation thanks to Spellbound and her enormous and tireless efforts, and our blog friends. I am very grateful.

A New Life Joins Us

This morning, there is simply wonderful news to share. Mel of Melsdream became a grandmother and has posted pictures of her brand new granddaughter on her blog. This is a gorgeous baby and you owe it to yourself to see her. It can't hurt to congradulate Mel either. If you think about it, none of this would have happened without her to begin with, but that's another story.

Cigars and chocolates at Mel's. Or at least a lot of celebration. A fun announcement!