Changes Since My Childhood: Shopping Habits

A visit from my sister-in-law brought this thought into focus. Today we focus on appliances and how we purchase them now versus my childhood.

Back in the day, when you wanted an appliance, large or small, you went to the appliance store. I grew up in Xenia, Ohio and that meant Eichman's. You went to the store between 9-5 Monday through Saturday and picked out what you wanted from their limited inventory, but you could guarantee that they would have at least two models of everything.

It's been different the past few years with all the stores that got into the act and started offering everything under the sun. The small hometown appliance dealers went the way of percolating coffee pots and stoves with deep wells and outlets built into the top surface.

Now, guess what? There are relatively few places to go to buy a decent appliance or find any selection. Try to find a freezer (as my sister-in-law is doing.) You might find one chest freezer and one upright if you're lucky! Some of the 'appliance' sellers don't even carry them. Now, in this economy don't you think that MORE people would want to be buying in bulk and freezing? Or perhaps they would be gardening and freezing for use this winter to save on the food bill?

It just goes to show that the old ways may not have been that bad. After all, finding a store in Springfield that sells large appliances is now down to five and only four of those carry freezers. If Sears folds, you can scratch another off the list. And Best Buy carries so little you might as well just write it off too. That leaves Carmichaels, Lowes, and Home Depot.

Carmichaels is the only TRUE appliance store because that's ALL they sell. So, after fifty five years we're back to square one.

So much for progress...

Cool Summer Nights

This evening is just beautiful. Cool. Pleasant. Relaxing.
I've been sitting out on the front porch, talking to Laura on the phone, and watching the fireflies.

It's one of those nights where you just want to pull out a lawn chair, recline, and watch the stars in the sky. I'm sure that people in the big cities are at a decided disadvantage at this time of year because there is too much ambient light to see stars. We can even see a satellite on a rare occasion. How cool is that?

I keep having flashbacks of being a little girl and sitting out on the lawn at my old house on South Columbus St. in Xenia. I'd sit out with my Dad and guess what type of car would be the next one to come down the street. Of course, that was after I'd had my bath and would be out in my PJ's. Ahhh, memories.

Those su-uhm-mer ni-i-ghts....

Summer in Ohio

The saying has always been 'If you don't like the weather in Ohio, wait five minutes, it will change.' So it would seem.

I spent the day yesterday in Southern Ohio, the Cincinnati/Newport area. We started the day with hot and humid with intense sunshine. Around one a cold front moved through giving us massive storms and dropping the temperatures to downright chilly. But, by early evening, it was again oppressive. It was a typical day.

Today, however, is far different. It's truly an atypical June day. Overcast and although humid, it's cooler and comfortable. Nice enough to have the windows open and there is a gentle breeze moving the air. It's one of my favorite kinds of summer days.

Is it actually summer yet? Hmmmm.... No matter, it's felt like it for weeks now.

Life Today

It has been an incredibly long time since I've blogged my thoughts. Probably a good thing since some were not the nicest thoughts. Funny how certain medications can mess with your mental and physical processes! I've experience that over the past couple of years and have now moved into a more holistic way of dealing with my Fibromyalgia issues.

I've discovered that many of my physical and depression issues were, in part, due to one of my medications! Since discontinuing it, I've found myself returning to the Dawn that most people would recognize.

I hope, that with time, the people who had to deal with my emotional and personality changes will see the reversal and be able to forgive some of the negativity and difficulties that ensued.

To my hubby and kids, thanks for standing strong with me while I got this all worked out. Hopefully, this will be the start on a trek to permanent healing.